The Peshawar High Court on Wednesday issued a written verdict on a petition filed against the Swat tragedy and the illegal encroachments along riverbanks, declaring the June 27 incident a result of grave negligence by the concerned authorities.

The court has ordered a thorough investigation into the matter.

In its ruling, the court stated that the negligence of officials led to the loss of 17 precious lives.It criticised the absence of emergency measures, such as the use of helicopters for rescue operations, despite the tragedy.

The court termed this lapse as a “criminal failure in public service.”

The judgment highlighted the widespread construction of illegal hotels and buildings along various rivers in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa — including Swat, Panjkora, Dir, Indus, Kabul, and Charsadda — declaring them a direct threat to human life.

The court held these illegal structures as a testament to the inaction and failure of regulatory institutions.

The high court directed the investigative committee formed for the Swat incident to complete its preliminary report within seven days and submit a comprehensive report within 14 days.

The advocate-general of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was also ordered to clarify what steps have been taken so far to ensure public safety.

Furthermore, the court instructed the Civil Aviation Authority to explain why helicopters were not deployed during the emergency, especially since weather conditions were clear and two helicopters were available at the time.

All relevant departments have been strictly ordered to complete their monsoon safety preparations and submit detailed performance reports to the court.

This strong judicial response following the Swat tragedy is being seen as a pivotal step towards accountability of public officials and the protection of human lives in the future.