The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has announced a major operation against illegal structures built along and within the Swat River. This decision follows a devastating incident in which 11 members of a Sialkot family lost their lives after being swept away by a sudden surge in the river’s water. Search efforts are ongoing for two missing individuals, while four have been successfully rescued.
The tragedy occurred during a family picnic along the Swat River, where 17 family members were caught by the strong current. Rescue 1122 Director General confirmed that the search and rescue mission has continued for over 24 hours, extending across Khwazakhela, Kabal Bypass, and Barikot. More than 120 rescue personnel from Swat, Malakand, and Shangla are deployed, utilizing boats and various equipment to search the river.
In response to the incident, KP Chief Secretary Shahab Ali Shah issued a statement announcing a complete ban on all forms of mining activities along riverbeds. He also declared that a coordinated crackdown would commence on all encroachments, including hotels illegally constructed on or near riverbanks. A government statement specified that “An effective operation against encroachments along riverbanks and within river channels will begin from tomorrow.”
The Chief Secretary further stated that an inquiry committee has arrived in Swat to investigate the tragedy, with the aim of identifying and holding accountable officials found guilty of negligence. To enhance coordination of rescue and administrative operations, the office of the Additional Deputy Commissioner (Relief) has been designated as the central response center, where relevant department personnel will be stationed. Rescue teams are being equipped with modern tools, including drones and life jackets, to aid in locating and recovering stranded individuals. The irrigation department’s early warning system will also undergo review and enhancement. Police, district administration, and Rescue 1122 officials will patrol rivers across Malakand Division to ensure public safety and keep individuals away from dangerous zones.
Separately, the KP government has also suspended Swat Deputy Commissioner Shahzad Mehboob, appointing Saleem Khan as his replacement.
Controversy Over Body Transportation and Government Response: Meanwhile, Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari strongly criticized the KP government for transporting the recovered bodies in garbage-carrying dumpers. Speaking in the Punjab Assembly, she stated, “Rescue personnel couldn’t reach on time, and when they recovered the bodies, they used a dumper — the kind used for transporting rubbish — to bring those corpses to Punjab. If you couldn’t save them, at least deliver them home with honour.”
Subsequently, the Punjab Assembly passed a condemnation resolution — tabled by PML-N MPA Rana Arshad — against the KP government regarding the Swat tragedy, expressing deep grief and solidarity with the victims’ families. The resolution called for KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur’s resignation on moral grounds due to the government’s alleged failure to prevent the incident, and demanded a transparent investigation and legal action against those responsible.
Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar also castigated the KP government’s handling of the Swat tragedy, labeling it a complete failure of governance and disaster management. During a press conference, Tarar questioned why only the DC was suspended, arguing that “it is the chief minister who should be held accountable.” He made a thinly veiled jibe at incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan, stating, “The chief minister’s base camp is in Adiala,” and lamented that “Tourists were screaming for help, children were crying, and no one came to rescue them for hours.” Tarar further criticized CM Gandapur’s remarks about tents not being his responsibility, suggesting that if so, the PDMA should be shut down, highlighting a lack of a functioning rescue system over twelve years.
KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi also joined the chorus of criticism, censuring CM Ali Amin Gandapur’s government for its failure in ensuring timely response and preventive measures. “This is not just incompetence. It is a shameful failure of duty,” Governor Kundi wrote on X, further urging CM Gandapur in a separate video message to “show moral courage and resign without delay,” given his dual role as provincial chief executive and tourism portfolio holder.
President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and the country’s leadership have expressed sorrow over the incident. The national meteorological service has warned that the risk of heavy rain and possible flash floods will remain high until at least Tuesday.
