Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif expressed deep sorrow over the tragic drowning incident in Swat that claimed the lives of several family members from Sialkot. She said the heartbreaking loss could have been avoided if timely rescue operations had been in place.
In a condolence message to the grieving family, CM Maryam assured them of her full support and prayers, adding, “They will not be left alone in this painful time.” She also ordered high alert for rescue services across Punjab’s tourist spots due to ongoing heavy rains, stressing that negligence will not be tolerated.
Meanwhile, Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari strongly criticized the rescue efforts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). She raised serious concerns about the lack of life-saving equipment and the failure to dispatch helicopters on time. “Why is there still no air ambulance in KP? Why didn’t their helicopters arrive?” she asked during a press conference.
Bokhari blamed the KP government for repeated failures, accusing them of ignoring similar incidents in the past. She said that victims remained stranded on a sandbar, waiting for help that never arrived. “Natural disasters should not be politicized, but human lives must be protected at all costs,” she added.
She praised local youth Bilal Khan, who used his personal boat to retrieve bodies, and acknowledged the crucial role of the Pakistan Army and community volunteers in such crises. Bokhari also alleged that KP’s rescue departments are filled with political appointees, claiming the province has suffered from misgovernance for over a decade.
The incident has reignited debate over disaster preparedness and rescue capacity in KP, especially in flood-prone areas. As families mourn their loved ones, calls for accountability and reforms continue to grow louder.