The court reported that more investigation was needed to determine responsibility for the deaths of 17 tourists
Residents gather after picnicking tourists were swept away by floodwaters from the Swat River, in Pakistan’s Swat Valley, June 27, 2025. Photo: Reuters/File
PESHAWAR:
The Peshawar High Court was informed on Thursday that further investigation was necessary to determine responsibility for the Swat flash flood tragedy.
The court was informed that the Tehsil Municipal Officer (TMO) initially recommended for action was neither posted in the relevant area nor responsible for the incident as he had not issued any no-objection certificate (NOC).
During the hearing, the Special Secretary for Local Government told the court that the provincial inspection team’s investigation into the drowning of 17 people in a flash flood in Swat required further investigation to correctly identify those responsible. He said there was also a need to make inquiries to the Communications and Works (C&W) and Irrigation departments as the land on which the hotels were built belonged to the Irrigation Department, while the adjoining road was under the jurisdiction of the C&W Department.
The court ordered that the matter be brought to the notice of Chief Secretary Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and that he be kept informed in writing of future developments.
Chief Justice SM Atiq Shah, who headed a two-member bench along with Justice Ijaz Khan, commented that the incident was a “huge and heartbreaking tragedy”, noting that the family members drowned before each other’s eyes. He said such incidents could happen to anyone and stressed the need for a thorough investigation to determine liability for negligence. The Chief Justice advised the authorities to formally approach the Chief Secretary for further investigation and to ensure that all relevant departments were included.
The hearing was held on petitions filed against the drowning of 17 tourists in the Swat River due to flash floods and lack of timely rescue. Special Secretary Local Government Arshad Ali, Deputy Attorney General Gauharur Rehman Khattak, Deputy Attorney General Riaz Painda Khail, petitioner’s lawyer Amir Alam Babar Khan Yousafzai, amicus curiae lawyer Sikandar Rasheed and other lawyers appeared before the court.
