SWAT: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mahmood Khan on Saturday said the government won’t allow the construction of houses, hotels and other buildings on the riverbanks in the province.

He was speaking to reporters after visiting the flood-hit areas in a helicopter here along with former federal minister and PTI leader Murad Saeed.

The chief minister conducted an aerial survey of the devastation caused by the deluge in Kalam, Mingora and Matta and met disaster victims.

He said the flash floods had badly hit Tank and Karak districts a month ago but the provincial government immediately took rescue and relief steps and sanctioned emergency funds. “Unfortunately, the loss was higher than expected due to large-scale encroachments on rivers and streams,” he said.

CM says no federal organisation carried out rescue work in flood-hit province

Mr Mahmood said though the district administrations and other relief agencies played a good role in flood-affected areas, the federal government didn’t even ask.

He said it was very sad to note that no federal organisation, including the NDMA, was seen on the ground for rescue activities.

The chief minister said his government was uninterruptedly carrying out relief work across the province.

“The provincial government is using all resources to provide relief to flood victims. The helicopter of the provincial government has been engaged for relief and rescue operations and tourists are being shifted to safer places,” he said.

Mr Mahmood said the current year’s floods in the province caused more devastation than all previous ones but his government was providing all possible relief to their victims.

He said all government machinery was functional in flood-affected areas.

“If we have to use the entire development fund to rehabilitate and resettle flood victims, we will not hesitate to spend it,” he said.

The chief minister said the Swat-Kalam Road was managed by the National Highway Authority but there was no prospect of its early rehabilitation.

“If the federal government does not repair the Swat-Kalam Road in a day or two, I will provide funds for its repair. In this difficult situation, I will be among my people” he said.

Mr Mahmood said he would go all-out to help out flood victims.

He said after rescue and relief operations, a survey would be conducted to assess the damage.

The chief minister said legal action would be taken against those who put up houses, hotels and other building near rivers in the province.

Published in Dawn, August 28th, 2022