SWAT/LOWER DIR: The district administrations on Sunday launched a comprehensive anti-encroachment operation along the Swat and Panjkora rivers on Sunday, following the tragic incident where floods claimed the lives of about 14 tourists, who were having breakfast by the Swat River.
The incident sparked nationwide outrage, with people across the country criticising both the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government and the district administration for failing to rescue the tourists in time.
In response to the tragedy, the provincial government formed a committee to investigate the causes, and the provincial chief secretary Shahab Ali Shah visited Swat for a meeting with local officials and elected representatives.
During the meeting, the chief secretary ordered the immediate cessation of gravel mining activities in the Swat River and the removal of all illegal structures and encroachments along the river.
Campaign faces opposition from hotel, restaurant owners in Swat
However, the anti-encroachment campaign has faced opposition from hotel and restaurant owners whose properties are situated along the Swat River. They argue that they legally constructed their buildings after acquiring the necessary permits.
Social activists have criticised the government departments for allowing the illegal construction of buildings along the river. “Why did the tehsil municipal administration, the irrigation department, and the district administration permit the construction of illegal buildings?” asked Saad Khan, a social activist from Mingora. “Where were the relevant authorities when these buildings were being built?”
The owners of hotels and restaurants maintain that they followed the proper procedures. “When we constructed our buildings, we obtained permission from the TMA and other local authorities. We invested millions of rupees to establish our businesses, and now, after so many years, the government is demolishing our buildings,” said Ihsanullah, a restaurant owner.
Hotel and restaurant owners threw stones at officials and police, resulting in three government servants being injured. In response, the police arrested eight individuals and filed cases against them.
Meanwhile, the Lower Dir district administration on Sunday decided to launch a crackdown on encroachments and unauthorised constructions along the Panjkora River and other streams in the wake of the recent tragic incident in Swat.
A complete ban has also been imposed on the legal and illegal extraction of sand, soil, and gravel from riverbeds.
The decision was made during an urgently called meeting chaired by deputy commissioner Mohammad Arif.
It was decided that, as per the clear instructions chief secretary Shahab Ali Shah, all forms of construction and the extraction of materials, both legal and illegal, along the Panjkora River would be completely banned.
Furthermore, it was decided to establish a response centre at the office of the additional deputy commissioner (relief), where officials from all relevant departments will be deployed to ensure timely coordination and response.
In line with provincial government directives, rescue teams will be equipped with drones, lifesaving jackets, and other modern rescue equipment. The executive engineer of the irrigation department was directed to establish an early warning system to monitor water levels and potential flood threats.
To ensure effective monitoring of all rivers across Lower Dir, it was also decided to deploy personnel from Rescue 1122, police, Levies, and the district administration on regular patrols. These teams will also be responsible for keeping the public away from riverbanks to avoid any untoward incident.
Meanwhile, in the wake of the recent incident in Swat and amid warnings of potential heavy rainfall and flooding across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Dera district administration has intensified precautionary efforts to safeguard lives and property.
Dera division commissioner Zafarul Islam Khattak and regional police officer Syed Ashfaq Shah, accompanied by deputy commissioner Abdul Nasir Khan and district police officer Sajjad Ahmad Sahabzada on Sunday conducted a comprehensive visit to several critical points along the Indus River.
The officials inspected the water flow and assessed the rising levels, particularly at the Dera-Darya Khan Bridge.
They issued strict directives to immediately prohibit public access to the riverbanks, including recreational activities and bathing in the river.
The commissioner instructed all relevant departments to ensure full compliance with the restrictions and maintain strict monitoring along the river to prevent any untoward incident.
Citizens have been advised to remain vigilant and, in case of any emergency, promptly contact local authorities, Rescue 1122, or civil defence.
In Lakki Marwat, deputy commissioner Zeeshan Abdullah has banned swimming and bathing in all natural water bodies and use, sale and distribution of plastic bags in the district.
An official told Dawn on Sunday that the restrictions had been imposed for one month and the tehsil municipal officers of Lakki, Naurang, Ghaznikhel and Bettani subdivision had been directed to give a wide publicity to the order pertaining to imposition of restrictions.
He said the violators would be dealt with under the law.
Published in Dawn, June 30th, 2025