Punjab suspends tourism in Murree, Salt Range as monsoon rains cause devastation

ISLAMABAD – Punjab’s tourism industry has come to a grinding halt as monsoon rains, landslides, and cloudbursts disrupt travel in Murree, Salt Range, Kallar Kahar, and other northern attractions.

Punjab Tourism Secretary Raja Jahangir Anwar said the climate crisis has seriously hurt the tourism sector, resulting in major financial losses. He confirmed that the Patriata cable car service has been shut down after one of its pylons collapsed during torrential rains.

“Tourist activities across Murree, Chakwal’s lakes and other northern spots are at a standstill. Large numbers of visitors from Punjab and Sindh have been forced to cancel trips,” Anwar said.

Despite the challenges, he stressed that tourism could not be abandoned. The Punjab government has allocated Rs33 billion for infrastructure upgrades, new tourist attractions, and heritage restoration projects. Fort Munro is being developed into a major hill station, while desert tourism in Cholistan, Rajanpur, Layyah, and Multan is being actively promoted.

The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has issued a travel advisory, warning citizens to avoid northern tourist spots until weather conditions improve.

Official figures show at least 162 fatalities and hundreds of injuries since June due to monsoon-triggered floods, landslides, and cloudbursts in northern Punjab, particularly in the Salt Range and Chakwal.