KP CM vows action in Swat tourists drowning tragedy

PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur on Thursday said a high-level committee had been formed to probe the recent Swat tragedy where 17 tourists drowned in the flooded Swat River.

“Anyone found guilty of negligence would not escape punishment, “he said while talking to reporters at the Peshawar High Court (PHC).

Gandapur said an operation was underway against encroachments along the Swat River and that no one, regardless of status or influence, would be spared. “Illegal constructions will be demolished, no matter who owns them,” he said.

The chief minister called the drowning incident in Swat “deeply tragic” and said the committee had been tasked with completing its work and presenting a report soon. “Those found negligent will be held accountable,” he asserted.

He reiterated the government’s commitment to taking indiscriminate action against encroachments. “Operations are underway across the province wherever encroachments are found,” he added.

Earlier, the PHC extended the chief minister’s protective bail until September and directed authorities not to arrest him in any case registered against him during this period.

The hearing was conducted by a two-member bench comprising Justice Sahibzada Asadullah and Justice Farah Jamshed.

During the proceedings, Justice Asadullah remarked that Gandapur, being the chief minister of the province, could not be expected to appear in court every other day. “He has other official duties to perform. The case will be heard after the summer vacation,” the judge said.

At the outset of the hearing, Gandapur appeared in person, accompanied by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Advocate General Shah Faisal Utmankhel, Additional Advocate General Inam Yusufzai, Assistant Attorney General, and the CM’s counsel Bashir Khan.

The petitioner’s counsel informed the court that several cases had been registered against Gandapur in Punjab and Islamabad.

He said the petition had been filed to obtain details of all such cases so the chief minister could seek legal relief from the concerned courts.

The counsel expressed apprehension that many case details had still not been provided, despite his client appearing in all known cases.

The assistant attorney general informed the court that the federal government had submitted a report stating that 48 FIRs had been registered against Gandapur in Islamabad, and two inquiries were ongoing with the FIA.

A NAB lawyer told the court that the bureau’s report had yet to be received. The additional advocate general stated that the Anti-Corruption Establishment had also not submitted its report.

Justice Asadullah reiterated that, since Gandapur is the province’s chief minister, he cannot be expected to appear in court

every other day and has other responsibilities to attend to.

The court directed that all required reports be submitted and adjourned the hearing until after the summer break, extending the CM’s protective bail until September.