KARACHI/LAHORE - Opposition Leaders including Shehbaz Sharif, Maryam Nawaz Sharif and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Saturday came down hard on the federal government for blaming the victims after tragic deaths during the snowstorm in Murree. 

Opposition Leader in the National Assembly and PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif said that Imran Khan had made victim blaming the governing philosophy of his otherwise directionless government. “There is always someone “responsible” for whatever goes wrong. A country of 220M people is being run by those whose default response is to shirk responsibility of their actions,” he said in a statement released on twitter. 

“What a massive tragedy Murree is turning out to be! Heartbroken to learn about the loss of so many precious lives. My profound condolences &sympathies are with the bereaved families. May Allah rest the departed souls in peace!.” 

Shehbaz also tweeted, “Where do you pin the responsibility of these deaths? Where was the government all the while? What arrangements did it make to deal with such an influx? Incompetence is fast turning into criminality. Prior arrangements & round the clock supervision were the normal SOPs in the past.”

What arrangements were made to deal with such an influx, asks Shehbaz

Bilawal questions why govt did not share weather updates with tourists

Maryam says incompetent govt has nothing to do with misery of people

Chairman of Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari Saturday expressed his grief and sorrow over the deaths of tourists in Murree.

Bilawal said that the whole nation was mourning the incident of Murree. He said that it would have been better if severe weather conditions were shared with the tourists. He asked the Murree administration to take immediate steps for the assistance of the stranded tourists. He said that his heart went out to the bereaved families.

Also, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader Maryam Nawaz Sharif condemned the government for ‘doing nothing; to help the stranded tourists. “I have NEVER seen such chaos, apathy & incompetence & most importantly a government that has nothing to do with the misery of people. What’s most shocking though is not only the dismissive attitude but the contempt & scorn they pour on the victims,” she tweeted. 

Federal Minister and PML-Q leader Moonis Elahi also criticised the authorities and questioned if the area received the ‘heaviest snowfall’ for the very first time. He said those in the government blaming tourists for the deaths should open their eyes. The PML-Q leader appreciated the efforts of Pakistan Army troops, local residents and hotel owners but strongly condemned the role of the local administration.