Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi has called for the resignation of Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, holding him responsible for what he termed a “shameful failure of duty” after a tragic flash flood in Swat River claimed 10 lives.
The incident occurred early Friday morning when a group of 17 tourists from Sialkot were enjoying breakfast along the banks of the Swat River in Mingora. A sudden surge in the river — triggered by heavy rainfall upstream — swept them away.
Despite the known monsoon risks, videos posted online showed the group, including women and children, stranded helplessly on a shrinking sandbank for hours, with no rescue in sight. Several bystanders captured the heartbreaking moments on their phones, as the group was gradually engulfed by the raging waters.
Nine bodies were recovered on Friday, and one more was found Saturday morning, bringing the death toll to 10. Four people were rescued, while three remain missing. Funerals have been held in Sialkot’s Daska region for eight of the victims.
Political Fallout and Public Outrage
In a strongly worded message on social media platform X, Governor Kundi accused the CM-led government of gross negligence:
“This is not just incompetence. It is a shameful failure of duty.”
Kundi also released a video statement urging Gandapur to resign:
“Ali Amin Gandapur must show moral courage and step down — not only is he the chief executive of the province, but he also heads the tourism department. The government failed to ensure basic safety for tourists.”
His remarks echo the growing fury across the country, with citizens, journalists, and politicians expressing dismay at the delay in launching a rescue operation. Many questioned the preparedness of provincial and local authorities, especially given repeated forecasts of extreme weather.
Inquiry and Relief Measures
In response to the backlash, the KP government has constituted an inquiry committee to investigate institutional failures that may have led to the tragedy. The committee is expected to determine:
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Why early warnings and preventive evacuations were not issued.
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Whether tourism safety protocols were in place and enforced.
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What caused the delay in deploying rescue teams.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered an immediate and comprehensive search operation. The NDMA and local administrations have been directed to step up safety advisories and issue alerts around rivers and flood-prone areas across the country.
Province Hit by Widespread Flooding
According to KP’s Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), flash floods and landslides in the past 24 hours have left at least 11 people dead — including four children and three women — and six injured. The flooding has damaged 56 houses, six of which were completely destroyed.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department has warned that heavy rains and flash flood threats will continue across KP and other regions until at least Tuesday.
Conclusion
The Swat River tragedy has reignited debates on governance, disaster preparedness, and tourism safety. As public mourning continues, many are calling not just for accountability — but for urgent reform before another preventable tragedy unfolds.
