Swat Tragedy: PHC Seeks Report in 14 Days
Peshawar: The Peshawar High Court (PHC) has issued a detailed 22-page written verdict regarding the Swat tragedy that occurred on June 27, claiming 17 lives in the Swat River. The court acknowledged the petitioner’s claims, which held the local administration responsible for the incident.
According to the judgment, an inquiry committee has already been constituted to investigate the incident. The chairman of the inquiry committee appeared in court and assured the judges of a comprehensive and unbiased investigation, promising that a report would be submitted within 14 days.
Chief Justice SM Atiq Shah and Justice Faheem Wali expressed serious concern during the hearing. They had earlier summoned the Commissioners of Malakand, Hazara, Kohat, Dera Ismail Khan, and other key officials to explain the failure in rescue and preventive measures.
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Why Weren’t the Swat Tourists Rescued on Time?
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The court questioned the lack of timely response and asked why tourists were not rescued immediately when the water levels rose unexpectedly. The Chief Justice also questioned, “Why weren’t life jackets provided? Why didn’t the authorities use drones for rescue?”
The Advocate General of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa informed the court that an anti-encroachment drive had already begun in the region. He added that although an air ambulance was available, it could not be deployed due to time limitations.
The Irrigation Department, in its report, stated that the water level in the Swat River surged within hours and that alerts had been issued to the relevant departments beforehand. However, Chief Justice Atiq Shah criticized the lack of action on those alerts, highlighting it as a case of gross negligence.
The court emphasized that the inquiry must be transparent, non-discriminatory, and thorough. Authorities were directed to submit a complete report by Thursday, as the hearing was adjourned.
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