The terrible deaths of visitors in Swat have caused a political storm, with high-ranking government officials demanding for criminal charges against the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leadership. The request was for a First Information Report (FIR) that named the party that was supposedly in charge of bad management and governance.
What went on in Swat?
On June 28, 2025, a multitude of tourists, mostly women and children, were stranded and eventually drowned in the Swat River. The tourists were almost rescued by timing alone. The only ironic part is that the number of individuals that made that happen were just enough to ensure a lack of success. At this point, the whole ordeal has absolutly obliterated the public’s trust in the system and it is patently clear it must change.
Leaders of the government blame each other
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar and State Minister for Law Barrister Aqeel Malik both said at a news conference in Islamabad that the PTI’s 12 years in charge of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were to blame. Tarar said:
“This isn’t the end of tourists; it’s the end of PTI’s way of running things.
He harshly criticised the provincial government for slow rescue attempts, poor equipment, and insufficient infrastructure. Tarar wanted to know why contemporary tools like helicopters weren’t employed, even though they were available, and just one homemade boat was sent out “after hours.”
The FIR Demand: Why It Matters
Senior officials say that not only the deputy commissioner, who was briefly suspended, but also the Chief Minister and his cabinet are to blame for not providing infrastructure that saves lives and keeps the public secure.
Tarar said, “If you can’t run rescue operations, at least have the decency to be quiet.” Or just turn off the PDMA.
They want to file a FIR against the provincial leadership for criminal negligence, saying that people died and they didn’t do their responsibility to the public. It’s an uncommon rise, showing that people think the system isn’t working.
Politics or Governance?
Even though they are under a lot of pressure, PTI leaders and provincial officials have not yet formally answered the FIR demand. But there are still questions: is this about justice or a political move before the elections? Critics say that using the law to go after political opponents could make partisan divides worse instead of fixing real problems with government.
What to learn from disasters
Infrastructure for quick response: Helicopters, boats, and professional teams must be kept up and ready to go right away in tourist locations.
Clear Accountability: There must be clear lines of command from the provincial CM to the local disaster authority.
Regular drills and funding are important since not being ready can have deadly consequences.
The Last Word
The urge to register a FIR against PTI leaders shows either a desire for accountability or a politically driven effort. In any case, it shows how important it is to improve emergency plans, make disaster-prevention systems stronger, and take a close look at how provinces are run.
In Swat and other locations, tragedies of this nature should not political advantage instead to create progress from this human loss. To prevent more tragedies like this, we must first discover what failed, hold people accountable, develop their capacity. One thing is clear in this process: to do nothing and stay silent is not acceptable when lives are at stake.
