KALAM: An emergency joint meeting was held today by the Kalam Hotel Association, Trade Union, and local elders in response to the recent Swat tragedy and expressing deep sorrow and grief over the incident and holding the provincial government and district administration responsible, citing negligence as a key factor. They demanded that those accountable be identified immediately and face strict legal action.
The meeting also raised serious concerns over the implementation of the River Act policies by the district administration and the Irrigation Department. The participants unanimously rejected what they referred to as unjust and irrational “river cutting” activities being carried out under the pretext of the River Act in Kalam.
Community leaders described the policies as oppressive, unfair, and highly damaging to the region’s tourism-based economy. They emphasised that such decisions are being made without consulting local stakeholders, which they said is completely unacceptable.
They also condemned the spread of false and misleading news on social and electronic media, claiming that a flood had struck Kalam. The participants urged the administration to take legal action against those spreading such baseless rumours, which they said were harming the area’s reputation and scaring away tourists.
The elders reiterated that the Swat River is the lifeline of Kalam, both economically and environmentally. Any unnecessary intervention, they warned, could provoke a strong public reaction. The meeting concluded with a firm resolve: if the authorities fail to respond to public concerns, a large-scale protest will be launched. It was also decided that a broader strategy will be developed soon, in consultation with other stakeholders in the region, to protect Kalam’s natural beauty and secure its economic future.
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