At least 12 people have died and one child remains missing after a devastating flash flood struck Swat on Friday morning, June 28, 2025, exposing a troubling repeat of past failures in disaster preparedness and governance. The most severe destruction occurred near the Mingora Bypass, where 10 members of the same family from Sialkot were swept away by rising waters while stranded on a mound for over an hour. Despite repeated calls for assistance, the first rescue team arrived after a significant delay and was unequipped to save the victims.
The flash flood originated from Khwazakhela around 7:30 a.m., but local authorities failed to issue timely alerts, leaving downstream administrations unaware of the danger. Rescue officials later confirmed that 17 people were affected in total—four rescued alive, 12 bodies recovered, and one child, from the same Sialkot family, still missing. On the third day of the rescue operation, the body of Daniyal, a child from Mardan, was recovered near Charsadda. Rescue 1122 teams continue their search across various areas using modern equipment.
Public anger over the government’s inaction and poor emergency response has intensified. In response, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa administration has suspended four officials: Additional Deputy Commissioner Ihsan Ullah, Assistant Commissioners Dr Nida Iqbal and Muhammad Aamir Khan, and transferred Deputy Commissioner Swat Shehzad Mehboob. However, critics argue that the move is insufficient and fails to address deeper systemic rot.
Opposition Leader Dr Ibadullah has called for the resignation of Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, blaming the provincial government for the preventable loss of life. He said that had the Chief Minister taken action, lives could have been saved. “The distance from Peshawar to Swat is only a 23-minute helicopter journey. Yet the CM did not even send one,” he told reporters, recalling how victims waited for help while making heartbreaking pleas to their families. He also criticised the politicisation of Rescue 1122 appointments, pointing out that it was a local diver, Muhammad Hilal—not trained officials—who managed to save three lives.
In the aftermath, the district administration launched a large-scale operation against illegal encroachments along the Swat River. Starting from Kanju Ayub Bridge and extending to Fizagat, 49 sites are targeted for removal to restore the river’s natural flow. But the operation has triggered backlash from hotel owners and locals who accuse authorities of targeting poor businesses while ignoring the politically powerful. Protesters blocked the Fizagat Bypass, calling the action discriminatory and illegal. Many demanded action first against a hotel allegedly owned by Federal Minister Amir Muqam, which they claimed was itself an encroachment. Protesters displayed court orders and declared they would pursue legal action against the government.
This latest disaster comes despite repeated warnings. A post-2022 flood report, compiled with support from Switzerland, had advised against rebuilding on the river’s natural course. Yet, authorities not only ignored the findings but allowed the same structures to rise again. The government has also failed to curb the timber and crush mafias that continue to disrupt the river’s ecology.
Once again, Pakistan is paying the price for negligence, corruption, and unheeded lessons. As rescue workers recover the dead and families mourn their loved ones, many are left asking how many more lives it will take before meaningful change arrives.