By: Kamran Ali Shah
PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Friday summoned the federal and provincial government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the case of the early-warning system failure in the recent flash flood events in the province’s northern regions.
The Peshawar High Court (PHC) recently held a hearing on a petition aimed at establishing effective tools for an early warning system to prevent floods. The hearing was presided over by Justice Waqar Ahmed and Justice Kamran Hayat Miankhel.
During the proceedings, the court issued notices to the federal and provincial governments, the Meteorological Department, and other relevant parties, requesting their responses by the next hearing date.
The petitioner’s lawyer, Muhammad Hamdan Advocate, highlighted that various districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa faced severe flooding last week. Recent cloudbursts, landslides, and heavy rains have resulted in significant financial and human losses across the province. Due to the absence of an effective early warning system, over 350 people tragically lost their lives, and many others were injured in Buner, Swat, Shangla, Bajaur, and Battagram.
The lawyer emphasised the need for the government to take immediate action to rehabilitate the flood-affected districts. He noted that the effects of climate change are increasingly evident in Pakistan, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
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The petitioner’s lawyer urged the government to ensure timely public awareness during such emergencies. He stated that under Article 9A of the Constitution, it is the state’s responsibility to protect the life and property of its citizens. The court has mandated that the federal and provincial governments, as well as the Meteorological Department, provide their responses at the next hearing.
