KP govt removes DG Rescue, DG Upper Swat Development Authority over Swat River tragedy

SWAT: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has removed the Director General (DG) of Rescue Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the DG of Upper Swat Development Authority (USDA) from their posts following a tragic incident where tourists drowned in the Swat River.

This decision came after a provincial inspection team reported slowness on the part of the Swat Development Authority and the lack of technical experience of the DG Rescue to the provincial government.

Taking stern action, the government has suspended a total of six officers in connection with the incident.

The services of the DG Rescue have been handed over to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), while the Director General of the Swat Development Authority has been made Officer on Special Duty.

In addition to that, a detailed report on the Swat incident was submitted to the inquiry committee by Commissioner Malakand, highlighting the lack of timely rescue operations for tourists trapped in the Swat River.

The committee’s findings pointed to negligence on the part of several government departments, leading to the tragic incident that claimed several lives.

On June 27, a sudden surge in the Swat River swept away 17 people from two families who were picnicking near the bank.