PESHAWAR, July 3 (Alliance News): The chairman of the inquiry committee investigating the recent Swat River tragedy informed the Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Thursday that multiple government departments were found negligent in their duties, resulting in the tragic deaths of 12 members of a tourist family from Sialkot.
During the hearing, officials from the concerned departments appeared before a bench headed by Chief Justice Mohammad Ibrahim Khan to update the court on the status of the ongoing investigation. The bench was told that clear evidence of departmental negligence had surfaced in the probe.
Chief Justice Khan directed the committee to swiftly identify all individuals and officials responsible for the failures and negligence that contributed to the tragedy. He emphasized that accountability must be ensured without delay.
The tragedy unfolded last Friday when 17 members of a family, who were picnicking near the Swat River, were caught in a sudden surge of water and swept away. Harrowing video clips later circulated widely on social media, showing the family stranded on a shrinking patch of land, shouting for help for nearly an hour.
Tragically, no timely rescue arrived. So far, 12 bodies have been recovered while the search continues for the remaining victims.
During the proceedings, the PHC bench questioned Hazara Division Commissioner Fayaz Ali Shah about safety measures for tourists in his jurisdiction. Justice Khan asked what steps had been taken in the Hazara region to avoid such incidents and what emergency response protocols existed, particularly in high-risk tourist areas.
Commissioner Shah responded that Section 144 had been enforced in tourist destinations to restrict public access to dangerous areas, anti-encroachment operations were in progress, and additional staff had been deployed at the Nathia Gali hospital to enhance medical response capabilities.
However, the court pressed further, asking whether any new emergency systems had been put in place following the Swat incident. In particular, Justice Khan inquired whether drone technology could be utilized to improve rescue operations and deliver life-saving equipment such as life jackets to victims trapped in the water.
The commissioner confirmed that drones capable of carrying and dropping life jackets had been acquired and would be deployed in future emergencies.
The court directed that the newly procured drones be tested without delay, drills be conducted to evaluate their response time, and a system of rapid deployment be put in place to ensure operational effectiveness.
Justice Khan further stressed that tourists must be provided a safe and secure environment, especially during peak holiday seasons when thousands visit scenic locations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Regional Police Officer (RPO) Hazara assured the court that coordination between police and rescue services had been improved and that additional training was underway for emergency responders.
The PHC also ordered both the Commissioner and RPO of Malakand Division to submit comprehensive reports, including findings from the full investigation into the Swat tragedy. The court emphasized that every detail must be documented and all lapses accounted for.
Rescue 1122 Chief Grilled Over Delayed Response
In a separate development, the Director General of Rescue 1122 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Shah Fahad, appeared before the Swat tragedy inquiry committee to explain the response timeline and rescue efforts.
He was specifically asked about his location at the time of the incident and how rescue operations were executed.
Fahad informed the committee that he was in Peshawar when the emergency occurred. He stated that Rescue 1122 received the distress call at 9:45am on June 27. However, he added that the nature of the initial call did not suggest a flood emergency, and the response team dispatched an ambulance accordingly.
Upon realizing the gravity of the situation, Rescue 1122 reportedly sent additional resources, including boats, divers, and specialized flood rescue teams, to the site.
Fahad said that at least three tourists were successfully rescued near Mingora Bypass Road and that dozens of people were assisted during broader flood relief operations in the district on the same day.
However, the committee expressed concern over the delay in realizing the severity of the emergency and questioned whether better coordination and faster deployment could have saved more lives.
Fahad also confirmed that several members of the rescue team involved in the response had been suspended pending the outcome of an internal inquiry to assess their performance and decision-making during the crisis.
The tragic incident has sparked national outrage, with the public demanding accountability and improved safety measures in tourist areas.
Many have criticized local authorities for failing to issue timely warnings or restrict access to hazardous riverbanks despite forecasts of rising water levels.
The PHC has taken a firm stance on the matter, pledging that the judicial system will ensure that the victims receive justice and that such tragedies are not repeated due to negligence or poor planning.
As the investigation continues, families of the victims await answers and hope that systemic reforms will follow to prevent similar disasters in the future.
