Development & Policy Desk | April 2025 | 5 min read
| ⚡ Quick Takeaways
• Punjab’s first sky glass bridge approved for Kotli Sattian, Murree — a major tourism milestone. • Three new five-star hospitality zones to be developed at Shawala, Sozo and Brewery areas. • International experts to be hired for landslide control; relief underway in six affected localities. • 187,600 homes already equipped with rainwater harvesting systems in Murree and Kotli Sattian. • Punjab’s first Facility Management Unit approved to oversee provincial government buildings. |
In a sweeping set of approvals, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has greenlit an ambitious slate of projects for the Murree region — from the province’s first sky glass bridge and a glamping pod village to five-star hotel zones and wildlife facilities. The decisions, taken jointly with PML-N President Nawaz Sharif, signal a decisive shift in how Punjab intends to develop one of Pakistan’s most visited hill stations.
| 📌 Key Stat | 📌 Key Stat | 📌 Key Stat |
| 187,600 Homes with rainwater harvesting | 10 Feet Road widening on Jhika Gali & Reach Bil Roads | 3 New Hospitality zones approved in Murree suburbs |
Sky Glass Bridge and Landmark Tourism Projects
The headline announcement was approval for Punjab’s first sky glass bridge, to be built in tehsil Kotli Sattian. Designed as a premium tourist attraction, it is expected to draw significant visitor traffic to an area already serving as a gateway to the Murree hills. The meeting also set a firm one-month deadline for initiating construction on the Murree Glass Train, which now has an official timeline.
At Chewra Hill, a glamping pod village will be established under private-sector management. A paragliding club in Chewra was also approved, completing what officials describe as an adventure tourism corridor for the region. Progress on the Kotli Sattian chairlift and Punjab House developments was likewise reviewed.
| ✅ Tourism Expansion
The glass bridge, glass train, glamping pods and paragliding club collectively position Murree’s suburban zones as year-round adventure destinations — moving beyond the traditional summer-only visitor model. |
Five-Star Hospitality Zones and Urban Infrastructure
Three new hospitality zones have been approved in Murree’s suburban areas — specifically at Shawala, Sozo and the Brewery locality. Each zone will see five-star standard hotels developed in collaboration with the private sector, aiming to raise the quality of accommodation available to domestic and foreign tourists. This addresses a long-standing criticism that Murree’s hotel stock has not kept pace with visitor numbers or expectations.
On infrastructure, Jhika Gali Road and Reach Bil Road will each be widened by ten feet to ease chronic traffic congestion. Three new parks — Angoori Road Park, MIT Park and Ariari Park in Kotli Sattian — are in the pipeline. Bansera Gali will receive a zoological garden, eco-zone, bridge crossing and conference facility, with wildlife conservation infrastructure including a bear house, tiger house and bird aviary also planned.
| Project / Initiative | Location / Detail |
| Sky Glass Bridge | Kotli Sattian, Murree |
| Murree Glass Train | Murree (1-month deadline set) |
| Glamping Pod Village | Chewra Hill (private management) |
| Paragliding Club | Chewra |
| Zoological Garden & Eco-Zone | Bansera Gali |
| 3 New Parks | Angoori Road, MIT Park, Ariari Park Kotli Sattian |
| Five-Star Hospitality Zones | Shawala, Sozo, Brewery areas |
| Chairlift Project Review | Kotli Sattian |
| Bulk Water Supply Scheme (Jhelum) | Feasibility due April 30 |
Landslide Response and Rehabilitation Efforts
The meeting acknowledged the persistent threat of landsliding in the Murree region, directing the engagement of international experts to analyse and address the underlying causes. Immediate relief and rehabilitation efforts were ordered for communities affected by landslides in Chatta Mor, Darya Gali, Bansera Gali, Naml, Jhika Gali and adjoining areas. The chief minister specifically called for urgent action to counter the mid-flow downhill effect — a geotechnical phenomenon linked to saturated hillside soils.
Debris from anti-encroachment demolitions was also flagged for urgent removal, with the CM issuing a direct clearance directive. A dedicated expert team for the broader Murree rehabilitation project was confirmed.
| ⚠️ Landslide Risk Alert
International specialists are to be engaged for landslide analysis. Residents and tourists in Chatta Mor, Darya Gali, Bansera Gali, Naml and Jhika Gali should monitor advisories from local authorities. |
Water Supply and Facility Management Milestones
A significant water access achievement was highlighted at the meeting: rainwater harvesting systems have been installed in 187,600 homes across Murree and Kotli Sattian, according to a briefing by District Commissioner Zaheer Shirazi. The initiative has directly reduced the burden on women and children who previously had to travel to distant sources for water. Water supply schemes in Dhar Jawa and Donga Gali have also been completed.
Looking ahead, the chief minister directed that a feasibility report for a bulk water supply scheme from River Jhelum must be completed by April 30. Separately, approval was granted for Punjab’s first Facility Management Unit — a dedicated body to oversee construction, maintenance and management of Punjab Houses and other provincial government buildings.
| ℹ️ Policy Context
The Facility Management Unit marks a shift toward professional oversight of provincial government assets. Centralising building management under a dedicated unit is expected to improve maintenance standards and reduce ad hoc expenditure. |
DISCLAIMER: All information in this article is based on publicly available data and official statements. This content is intended for general informational purposes only.
