Peshawar/Swat: Two requests have been presented before the Superior Court of Peshawar in Peshawar and Mingora (Darul Qaza), seeking investigation into several deaths in recent sudden floods in the Swat district and setting responsibility for alleged negligence.
In Swat, a bank composed of Judge Sabitullah Khan and Judge Qazi Jazi Jawad Ehsanullah issued notices to the respondents, including the provincial government, which seek their response to a petition, which requested the orders of the Court for the administration of the Swat district and the Municipal Administration of Tehsil de Mingora immediately to eliminate the illegal structures. River banks and Halt expansion there.
The petition is presented jointly by two citizens, Fayyaz Zafar and Fazal Khaliq, requesting the Superior Court to direct the Provincial Authority of Disaster Management (PDMA) and Rescue 1122 to develop a formal framework for the identification, training and equipment of local volunteers, which contributed significantly to the disaster response.
The lawyer Shah Faisal Khan appeared for petitioners and highlighted the serious consequences of recent floods in the Bypass Fizagat area, emphasizing the alleged administrative negligence and failure in preventive measures.
Meanwhile, a citizen moved the Superior Court in Peshawar on Tuesday for ordering a judicial investigation into the “circumstances” that led to the death of several people during the recent floods on SWAT, as well as an investigation into the alleged misuse of 1122 rescue vehicles by the provincial government for “political purposes.”
A resident of Charsadda, Amir Alam, presented a petition that sought directives for the authorities of application of the law and responsibility to analyze the alleged undue use of 1122 vehicles and resources by the provincial Executive for political purposes, and to proceed strictly in accordance with the law if cognizable offenses were committed.
He asked the Court to order a high -level judicial investigation based on the commission to determine the circumstances that led to the failure of the disaster response system during the SWAT floods of June 27, setting the responsibility of negligent officers and public officials.
The petitioner requested the courts of the court for the provincial main secretary and General Rescue Director 1122 to submit a detailed report on the current operating state of all vehicles/ rescue relief equipment and disasters and their legal use.
He also requested directives from respondents, including the provincial government, to cancel all mining activities, carried out through an auction or otherwise, on the Swat River.
The petitioner also sought orders for an audit and independent research on the recruitment process and the allocation of resources within the 1122 rescue to guarantee transparency, merit and prevent political interference in emergency situations.
The petition, presented through the lawyer Babar Khan Yousafzai, includes as surveyed the provincial principal minister, his main secretary, secretaries of mines and minerals, irrigation, relief and rehabilitation, local government and departments of culture and tourism, the General Directors of Rescue 1122 and the Provincial Authority for Disaster Management and General Inspection of the KP Police Police.
The petitioner said that on June 27, sudden floods hit the Swat district, which resulted in the death of at least 18 people, including Punjab tourists.
He added that the failure of rescue 1122 and the provincial authorities to respond in time and effectively caused a loss of unnecessary and avoidable lives.
The petitioner alleged that more than six months ago, the main minister for use in a political protest in Islamabad illegally diverted. “
He added that these vehicles were confiscated by the Islamabad Police, severely hindering disaster preparation throughout the province.
The petitioner argued that the PDMA operated under the Disaster Management Law of KP, 2010, by virtue of which its resources could be used only for disaster preparation and the response.
Posted in Dawn, July 2, 2025
