Islamabad/Lahore, June 28, 2025: In the aftermath of the devastating Swat River tragedy, federal and provincial ministers launched scathing attacks on the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government, holding Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur responsible for the loss of lives and alleged mishandling of the rescue and relief operations.
Addressing a fiery press conference in Islamabad, Federal Minister for Information Attaullah Tarar, flanked by State Minister for Law Barrister Aqeel Malik, said the entire nation was grieving the loss of lives in the Swat incident, where members of a Sialkot-based family were swept away by a sudden river surge.
“It was the responsibility of the KP government to respond swiftly and provide relief, but no one came to the rescue of those trapped,” Tarar said.
“Instead of suspending a deputy commissioner, the chief minister himself should be removed for his failure.”
Tarar further alleged that CM Gandapur was effectively running the province on directives from Adiala Jail, where PTI founder Imran Khan is currently incarcerated, adding: “He has made the jail his camp office.”
He criticized the deteriorating condition of infrastructure in KP and accused the provincial leadership of incompetence and negligence.
Meanwhile, Barrister Aqeel Malik used the occasion to defend the Supreme Court’s decision in the reserved seats case. He reiterated that the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) had failed to submit a candidate list and thus did not qualify for reserved seats.
“How can reserved seats be allotted to a party that doesn’t even exist in the Parliament?” Malik asked.
Separately, in Lahore, Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari strongly condemned the KP government for what she termed as the “utterly inhumane” treatment of Swat tragedy victims.
Speaking during a Punjab Assembly session, Bukhari claimed that the bodies of the deceased were transported in dump trucks, typically used for garbage.
“If you couldn’t save them, at least bring them home with dignity,” she said. “What was their fault?”
She questioned CM Gandapur’s absence during the crisis, sarcastically remarking that he was “outside Adiala Jail, serving a king.”
Bukhari also reminded the House that similar incidents had occurred in previous years, yet the provincial authorities failed to implement preventive measures or improve rescue preparedness.
The criticism comes as public outrage mounts over the government’s response to the Swat tragedy, which claimed at least 11 lives and left several others missing.
