RAWALPINDI, Jan 16: The Punjab government has directed the Rawalpindi district government and the Tehsil Municipal Administration (TMA) Murree not to permit any construction or housing project in the five-mile area outside the proposed New Murree City.

These instructions have been issued to discourage the unscrupulous elements from getting mileage out of the mega project, District Nazim Raja Tariq Kiani told this reporter.

The government, which is taking keen interest in the project, is likely to embark on land acquisition shortly.