DC Swat removed from position after recent loss of lives in flash flood

PESHAWAR: After the recent casualties in Swat, four officials have been removed by the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government, and Swat Deputy Commissioner Shehzad Mahboob was also removed from his position and put in the Officer on Special Duty (OSD) category.

Saleem, who was waiting for posting, has been made the Deputy Commissioner of Swat. The Establishment Department has issued an official notification in this matter.

However, Chief Secretary Shahab Ali Shah has come out with an immediate prohibition on mining of all kinds on the riverbeds of the Swat River. He has also ordered authorities to go for a crackdown on illegal hotels and buildings constructed along the Swat and Panjkora rivers.

On Saturday, the K-P Chief Secretary paid a close visit to Swat following the recent flash floods that had left massive destruction across the district. During the visit, he visited the damaged area along the Mingora Bypass Road and received close briefings from officers in the field.

In the afternoon, Shahab Ali Shah presided over a high-level meeting at the Commissioner’s Office in Saidu Sharif.

Important decisions were taken at the meeting, given the recent disaster. The Irrigation Department was directed to put up an Early Warning System on the Swat River within a week and examine and update the present alert systems.

Further, the Additional Deputy Commissioner’s office (Relief) Swat has also been marked as an ‘Early Response Centre’ where all concerned staff will be kept on standby to facilitate quick emergency response.

Stressing the requirement of Rescue 1122’s upgrading, he announced that the force would be provided with drones, life jackets, and advanced rescue equipment to respond quickly in future catastrophes. He pointed out that drones will help identify stuck people quickly, which can save lives.

He also directed the police, irrigation department, and rescue teams to carry out routine patrols along the Swat and Panjkora riverbanks to thwart violations and respond immediately to any emergencies.

Appealing to media and community leaders, the Chief Secretary urged them to actively participate in awareness campaigns to keep tourists and locals away from the rivers during high-risk periods. He stressed the importance of using print, electronic, and social media to warn the public about possible flood threats to help save lives.

The session ended with a joint prayer for all who lost their lives in the Swat tragedy. Rescuing agencies have been instructed to use all resources at their command to hunt for the missing.

Shahab Ali Shah also made it clear that an investigation team had reached Swat and officially initiated its investigation. Those guilty of negligence would be taken into custody. The Provincial Inspection Team has been instructed to present its report soon.