Swat tragedy sparks opposition outrage
A call attention notice has been submitted in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Assembly regarding the recent Swat tragedy. The notice was submitted by Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians (PPPP) MPA, Ahmad Karim Kundi, who has demanded that the provincial assembly convene a session within 24 hours to determine those responsible for the incident.
The notice highlights the tragic incident in Swat where 16 people, including women and children, drowned in a flash flood in the Swat River. Terming it a heartbreaking and shocking event, Kundi said it exposes the severe negligence of the current government and the failure of relevant institutions.
"This was not a natural disaster," the notice stated, "but a direct result of the criminal negligence of the provincial chief executive and the irresponsible conduct of concerned authorities. The provincial government has completely failed to protect the lives and property of citizens."
The PPP lawmaker urged immediate convening of the assembly session to identify those responsible and take strict action, as well as to formulate a comprehensive plan to prevent such tragedies in the future.
Meanwhile, following the tragic incident in which 14 tourists drowned in the Swat River, suspended government officials have begun shifting responsibility onto one another. Under the supervision of the Chief Minister, the provincial inspection team summoned the suspended officers - including the Deputy Commissioner of Swat - to record their statements as part of the ongoing investigation.
On Monday, six suspended officers appeared before the inspection committee and had their statements formally recorded. These included the Deputy Commissioner, Additional Deputy Commissioner, two Assistant Commissioners, the District Rescue Officer, and the Tehsil Municipal Officer (TMO).
The head of the inspection team, Khayam Hassan, questioned the officers regarding the delay in dispatching rescue teams. The suspended District Rescue Officer presented detailed evidence to the committee, including call records, and stated that rescue personnel reached the site within 19 minutes of the first distress call.
Sources revealed that the Deputy Commissioner and the two Assistant Commissioners also provided detailed accounts of their response based on the information they had received. The TMO, however, was reprimanded for negligence.
The inspection team also recorded statements from eyewitnesses present at the scene and reviewed video evidence circulating on social media.
According to officials, the inspection team will submit a comprehensive report to the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government within seven days.
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