PESHAWAR: An official inquiry into the Lake Saifullah boating accident in Swat has been submitted to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government, with the investigation reportedly holding several government departments responsible for negligence that allegedly contributed to the tragedy.

According to sources, the inquiry committee, headed by Secretary for Inter-Provincial Coordination Muhammad Ayaz, submitted its findings to the provincial government after examining the circumstances surrounding the fatal incident.

Multiple Agencies Named in Report

The inquiry report reportedly concludes that several public institutions failed to fulfill their responsibilities.

According to the findings, the following departments were held responsible for negligence:

• Police
• Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA)
• Rescue 1122
• Tourism Authority

The report also states that Tehsil Municipal Administrations (TMAs), the Industries Department, and other relevant institutions did not adequately perform their assigned duties.

Failure to Enforce Restrictions

According to sources familiar with the report, Section 144 was in force in the Swat area at the time of the incident, prohibiting illegal boating and swimming.

However, the inquiry found that police failed to effectively enforce the restrictions, allowing prohibited activities to continue.

The report also noted that although police registered 103 First Information Reports (FIRs), these cases were filed against individuals for swimming, rather than focusing on illegal boating operations, which the inquiry suggested required greater enforcement.

Operational Shortcomings Identified

The investigation highlighted several operational deficiencies on the day of the accident.

According to the report:

• 17 of the 37 Tourism Police personnel assigned to the area were on leave when the incident occurred.
• A Rescue 1122 ambulance reportedly broke down twice while traveling to and from the accident site, delaying emergency response efforts.
• The hospital in Kalam did not have a female doctor available to examine the bodies of female victims.

These shortcomings were cited as examples of gaps in preparedness and emergency response.

Recommendations

The inquiry committee made several recommendations aimed at improving safety and preventing similar incidents in the future.

The report recommends:

• Mandatory registration of all boats operating on the lake.
• A complete ban on unregistered boats entering the water.
• Strict and consistent enforcement of Section 144 whenever it is imposed.
• Ensuring that every boat is equipped with sufficient life jackets before carrying passengers.

The recommendations are intended to strengthen regulatory oversight and improve public safety at tourist destinations.

Background

The boating accident occurred on July 1 at Lake Saifullah in Swat, when a boat carrying tourists capsized.

According to official reports, seven people drowned in the incident, including five members of the same family.

Following the tragedy, authorities arrested the boat operator and formed an inquiry committee to investigate the causes of the accident and determine whether negligence contributed to the loss of life.

The findings referenced above are based on information attributed to sources familiar with the inquiry report. Any administrative or legal action will depend on the KP government’s review of the report and subsequent decisions.