MARDAN: To express sympathies with bereaved families of flood victims, KP Information Advisor Barrister Saif visited their house and expressed condolences to a family that lost three of its members in the recent Swat flash floods.
Advisor to the Chief Minister on Information, Barrister Dr. Muhammad Saif, led the delegation. He was accompanied by Special Assistant for Technical Education, Tufail Anjum, and Director General Information, Ansarullah Khilji. The officials met the bereaved family at their residence and extended heartfelt condolences on behalf of Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and the provincial cabinet.
Speaking to the media after the visit, Barrister Dr. Saif said that the provincial government shares the grief of the victims and stands shoulder to shoulder with the affected families. “The Chief Minister and the entire government are deeply saddened by this loss. We are not only grieving with the families but also committed to ensuring that justice must be delivered to them” he remarked.
Dr. Saif condemned the apparent lapses in local administration and emergency preparedness, acknowledging that although weather conditions are beyond human control, any negligence in response and rescue efforts is unacceptable. “Accountability is essential. Some officials have already been relieved of their duties, and further disciplinary actions are being taken,” he confirmed.
In response to public concerns and media scrutiny, the provincial government has constituted a high-level inquiry committee to investigate the circumstances leading to the tragedy, particularly the mismanagement of tourist activity in flood-prone areas like Swat. “The inquiry committee has begun its work and will present a comprehensive report to the Chief Minister shortly,” Dr. Saif added.
He also reassured the affected families that the financial compensation announced by the government will be delivered promptly. “The relief announced is not a substitute for the lives lost, but it is a gesture of support from the state to help the grieving families cope with the aftermath.”
The Swat tragedy has reignited debate over tourism regulation, early warning systems, and the enforcement of safety protocols in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s popular hill stations. Several citizens have demanded stricter controls on allowing tourists into vulnerable riverbank locations during periods of high flood risk.
As the monsoon season intensifies, authorities are under growing pressure to enhance disaster preparedness and coordinate more efficiently with local bodies to prevent such incidents. Meanwhile, the government’s immediate focus remains on relief efforts, restoring damaged infrastructure, and ensuring accountability at every level of administration.
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