PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has dismissed the Director General of Rescue KP and the Director General of the Upper Swat Development Authority following a tragic drowning incident in the Swat River.
The decision was made after a report by the provincial inspection team pointed to administrative delays and mismanagement by the Swat Development Authority, which was responsible for overseeing the region’s safety measures.
The report also highlighted concerns over the lack of technical expertise by the DG Rescue, which hindered the timely response to the emergency. In the aftermath of the incident, six officers had already been suspended by the provincial government, but the latest action includes the removal of the Rescue DG’s services, which have now been reassigned to the Peshawar Development Authority (PDA).
Meanwhile, the DG of the Swat Development Authority has been reassigned to a non-operational role, effectively ending his active administrative duties.
The actions follow a detailed inquiry conducted by the Malakand commissioner, who investigated the mishandling of the rescue operation that led to the drowning of 17 tourists. The tourists were swept away by the Swat River after they entered the water despite visible risks, with the incident sparking public outrage over the lack of preparedness during peak tourist seasons.
The flood, which raised the river’s flow from 6,738 to 77,782 cusecs in a short period, trapped the victims. Despite early flood alerts issued by the irrigation department at 8:41 am, the rescue teams were delayed in reaching the scene, arriving 20 minutes after the distress call.
This delay compounded the difficulty in saving lives, with 12 bodies recovered while one person remains missing. The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) described the flood level as “very high,” making it nearly impossible for the tourists to escape once the water levels surged.
The investigation revealed that nearby construction along the river had altered the water’s natural flow, creating a deceptive calm that misled the tourists into entering the river. Although Section 144 had been imposed to prohibit swimming and boating in the Swat River, enforcement was reportedly lax, allowing tourists to bypass restrictions.
The provincial government’s disciplinary actions reflect mounting concerns over the safety of tourists and the effectiveness of the region’s crisis response systems.
