RAWALPINDI:

Authorities have green-lighted three major projects — Judicial Complex, Jhika Gali Bazaar cum Chowk remodelling, as well as the expansion and remodelling of Murree Kachehri Chowk — in the new Murree district.

The Judicial Complex will be built by demolishing the MC High School in Jhika Gali, which was originally established during the British era in 1924. The two kanal and 15 marla land of the school has already been transferred to the judiciary. The estimated cost for the construction of the Judicial Complex is Rs500 million.

For the Jhika Gali Bazaar and Chowk remodelling project, approximately 10 more kanals of land are being acquired, with Section 4 already applied. A green area will be developed in the Chowk, and a dual carriageway will be constructed to connect this area to the motorway.

The estimated cost of this project is Rs108.86m. Around 40 shops will be demolished as part of the project, and the affected shopkeepers will be given alternative shops along the Murree Expressway. The demands of the protesting shopkeepers have been accepted, and compensation for “Loss of Business” will also be provided.

The mega project for the remodelling and expansion of Murree Kachehri Chowk is estimated to cost Rs1,683,8m, making it state-of-the-art.

Social worker Raja Iqbal Kathwal from Murree says about 200 boys and girls are studying at the MC High School in Jhika Gali, and that the construction of the Judicial Complex will severely disrupt their education.

Emphasising that there is ample land available in the area beside the school, he argues that it is not correct to terminate the century-old legacy of the school. He also expressed concern over the notices from the Forest Department asking citizens to vacate their homes for the Chowk’s expansion project.

Notices are being issued not only to shopkeepers but also to around 1,600 households, which has caused fear among the local population who have lived there for centuries, Kathwal further says and urges the administration to avoid making the citizens of Jhika Gali a target, warning of strong protests if the situation is mishandled.

The traders’ leaders, including Kamran Abbasi, Dr Ashfaq, Kaleem Abbasi, and Noman Abid Abbasi, have vowed to not sell their ancestral lands and demanded the immediate withdrawal of Section 4.

Murree Deputy Commissioner Zahid Shirazi assures that there will be no injustice or mistreatment of any shopkeeper and that alternative locations will be provided. He affirmed that the district development plan for Murree, in line with the vision of the chief minister, will be implemented at all costs.