Peshawar, July 3, 2025: Multiple government departments have been found negligent in the recent Swat River tragedy that claimed the lives of 12 tourists, the head of the inspection team informed the Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Thursday.
During a hearing on the incident, officials from various departments appeared before the bench to brief the court on the ongoing inquiry into the drowning of 17 members of a Sialkot-based family. The family was swept away by a sudden surge in the river while picnicking near the bank last Friday.
The inquiry chairman told the court that “clear departmental negligence” had emerged during the investigation. Taking notice of the findings, PHC Chief Justice Mohammad Ibrahim Khan directed that all individuals responsible be identified without delay.
Tragic footage shared on social media showed the family stranded on a rapidly shrinking river islet, calling for help for nearly an hour before being overwhelmed by the rising waters. Twelve bodies have been recovered so far.
Justice Khan questioned Hazara Commissioner Fayaz Ali Shah about the preventive measures in place to ensure tourist safety in his jurisdiction, particularly in emergency situations.
Commissioner Shah responded that Section 144 had been imposed in tourist areas, anti-encroachment operations were underway, and additional medical staff had been deployed to Nathia Gali hospital.
The court pressed further, asking what steps had been taken in light of the Swat tragedy to improve emergency preparedness. Justice Khan specifically inquired whether drones could be deployed in future crises for rapid rescue operations.
In response, Commissioner Shah said drones capable of delivering life jackets had been procured. The Chief Justice ordered immediate testing of the drones, along with emergency drills to evaluate their response time and effectiveness.
The court emphasized the need to provide a safe and secure environment for all tourists. RPO Hazara assured the bench that police and rescue teams were working in close coordination to strengthen on-ground preparedness.
The court also directed the Commissioner and RPO of Malakand to submit detailed investigation reports on the Swat tragedy.
Separately, Director General of Rescue 1122 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Shah Fahad, appeared before the inquiry committee and was questioned about the department’s response timeline during the incident.
Fahad stated that he was in Peshawar at the time of the tragedy. He informed the committee that an emergency call was received at 9:45 AM, but its initial content did not specify a flood emergency. Nonetheless, rescue teams with boats, divers, and equipment were dispatched to the site.
He added that three tourists were successfully rescued near Mingora Bypass Road, and that multiple operations were underway across Swat on June 27 to assist flood-affected residents.
Fahad confirmed that rescue officials involved in the incident had been suspended and that an internal inquiry was being conducted to assess potential lapses in the response effort.
