Gandapur orders probe into Swat river tragedy

Express Tribune

2 days ago

A rescue worker rows a raft while searching for survivors, after tourists, who were on a picnic, were swept away by overflowing floodwaters in the Swat River, in Swat Valley in Pakistan June 27, 2025. Photo: Reuters
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has announced that a high-level committee has been formed to investigate the recent Swat tragedy, in which 14 people drowned in the Swat River. Speaking to the media after a court appearance at the Peshawar High Court, the chief minister said that anyone found negligent in the incident will not be spared.
"The tragedy in the Swat River is extremely unfortunate. A committee has been constituted to probe the incident and is actively working. Those responsible for negligence or carelessness will be held accountable once the committee presents its report," Gandapur stated.
He added that an indiscriminate anti-encroachment operation is underway across the province, particularly along the banks of the Swat River. "No one is above the law—illegal structures, no matter who they belong to, will be demolished," he asserted.
Referring to Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, the chief minister launched a scathing attack, saying, "He can't even win a councillor's seat ... how can he overthrow our government?"
The chief minister reaffirmed his government's commitment to removing encroachments without any discrimination and said that similar operations would be launched wherever illegal constructions are found in the province.
Meanwhile, a high-level delegation of the Polio Oversight Board (POB), led by Dr Christopher Elias, called on Chief Minister Gandapur in Islamabad to review and reinforce anti-polio efforts in the province.
The delegation included representatives from the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, Rotary International, and other global partner organizations. Also present were Prime Minister's Focal Person for Polio Eradication Ayesha Farooq, and senior officials from the National and Provincial Emergency Operation Centers.
During the meeting, the participants reviewed the province's ongoing polio eradication efforts and agreed on further streamlining and strengthening strategies to eliminate the poliovirus from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.
Chief Minister expressed gratitude for the continued support of international partners and reaffirmed his government's commitment to eradicating polio. "The fight against polio is not just a provincial issue but a national and global responsibility," he said.
He noted that the provincial government is taking special measures to bolster the immunization program and has begun customizing anti-polio campaigns to fit the unique needs of each district. "Our strategy now involves local solutions to local challenges," he said.
To enhance the outreach and acceptance of polio campaigns, Gandapur said elected representatives and religious scholars are being actively involved. He urged local leaders and clerics to help dispel misconceptions and boost public trust in vaccination efforts.