By: SYED SHAHABUDDIN
The tragic incident in Swat River on Sunday, the body of 8-year-old Daniyal from Mardan was recovered at Charsadda district, raising the death toll to 12.
According to Rescue 1122, 14-year-old Abdullah from Sialkot remains missing, and a large-scale search operation is ongoing with over 60 personnel, divers, and local volunteers engaged at various points along the river.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, the district administration launched a grand anti-encroachment operation targeting illegal hotels and buildings constructed along the banks of Swat River. Using heavy machinery, several hotels, restaurants, and structures were demolished.
The operation faced stiff resistance from hotel owners and local citizens, leading to a brief suspension of activities after protests blocked traffic on Bypass Road. However, operations resumed under heavy police presence.
According to officials, these structures were obstructing the natural flow of the river and posed an increased risk of flooding and the demolitions were carried out under special directives from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Secretary Shahab Ali Shah.
” Affected citizens and hotel owners, however, condemned the action, stating that authorities had collected taxes for years and are now unjustly targeting them. Protesters demanded indiscriminate action, including against structures owned by politically influential individuals.
Meanwhile, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Opposition Leader Dr. Ibadullah Khan strongly condemned the incident, calling it “not a natural disaster, but murder.”
Speaking at a crowded press conference at the Swat Press Club, he held the provincial government, Rescue 1122, PDMA, and local administration collectively responsible.
He demanded judicial inquiry and the arrest of the Chief Minister and DG Rescue 1122 under murder charges.
Dr. Ibadullah revealed that the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) had issued a clear alert a week before the incident, warning of potential flash floods during pre-monsoon rains.
He criticized the Chief Minister for remaining in Islamabad during the crisis and accused the government of criminal negligence.
In a show of appreciation for local heroes, President Asif Ali Zardari and Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari directed Senator Rubina Khalid, Chairperson of the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), to visit Swat.
She met with two brave individuals-Rescuer Asmat Ali and local volunteer Muhammad Hilal and praised their selfless actions.
” Asmat Ali saved three lives, while Hilal rescued several others from the raging waters,”
Senator Rubina Khalid awarded both heroes Rs. 50,000 each and announced that the Sindh government would extend support and resources to volunteers in Swat.
The administration has pledged that, going forward, no construction will be allowed along riverbanks, and flood-prone tourist areas will be equipped with early warning systems.
However, public demand remains high for transparent investigations and long-term institutional reforms to prevent such tragic incidents in the future.
