Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Government Announces Comprehensive Relief for Swat Flood Victims

Government Pledges Full Compensation and Housing Reconstruction

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has announced decisive measures to support families affected by the recent devastating floods in Swat. During his visit to the flood-hit regions, Gandapur reassured the public that the provincial government would provide full compensation for citizens’ losses, emphasizing a “hundred percent response” to the catastrophe. A key part of the government’s plan includes rebuilding houses destroyed by the floods and relocating communities living in vulnerable areas to newly developed, safer settlements.

Active Coordination with Pakistan Army and Swift Relief Operations

The chief minister highlighted the Pakistan Army’s vital role in ongoing rescue and relief operations. He noted that two additional helicopters had been deployed to expedite emergency efforts in the affected districts. Gandapur stressed that the immediate priority is to compensate ordinary citizens for their financial and personal losses before shifting focus to restoration of damaged public infrastructure.

Relocation of Residents from Waterways to Safe Settlements

A major announcement from Chief Minister Gandapur was the plan to relocate people currently living in water channels — areas particularly exposed to floodwaters — to purpose-built settlements at secure locations. “We will rebuild destroyed houses and shift populations living in water channels to safer areas where new settlements will be developed,” he stated. This move aims to significantly reduce the risk of future flood-related casualties and property loss.

Tackling Encroachment and Infrastructure Issues

The chief minister addressed long-standing issues that have exacerbated flood damage in Swat and neighboring regions. He criticized the widespread construction of houses and commercial properties on natural waterways and pointed out the lack of adequate cleaning of streams and drains. These factors, he said, have significantly worsened the impact of flooding.

Gandapur cited a specific example of a market in Buner where legal stays had prevented the removal of encroachments. “If that market had been cleared in time, the scale of losses could have been much less,” he remarked, underscoring the importance of addressing illegal construction. He urged citizens to refrain from occupying waterways illegally, warning that strict action would be taken against encroachments in the future, even though he acknowledged that such measures alone cannot completely solve the problem.

Review of Relief Efforts and Infrastructure Rehabilitation

Following his visit to flood-affected areas, Chief Minister Gandapur chaired a high-level meeting at the Commissioner Malakand Division’s office. Officials provided detailed briefings on the extent of damage, ongoing rescue efforts, and rehabilitation of infrastructure. It was reported that Mingora city had suffered the most severe impact. Relief and rehabilitation activities are ongoing, with active involvement from provincial government departments and the district administration.

Deployment of Machinery and Acceleration of Compensation Process

To speed up the clearance of flood debris and enable a quicker return to normalcy, Gandapur directed authorities to deploy additional machinery from other districts to Swat. He instructed officials to complete damage assessments swiftly and begin immediate compensation payments to affected families.

The chief minister revealed that the provincial government had already disbursed Rs3 billion to the Communication and Works Department as well as the Relief and Rehabilitation Department. He emphasized the need to maintain adequate stocks of food, medicines, and other essentials for those impacted by the disaster.

Preventive Measures for Future Disasters

In a significant move to prevent future flood disasters, Gandapur announced the formation of a special committee headed by the deputy commissioner. This committee will be responsible for the demarcation of the Swat River’s riverbeds, in close consultation with elected representatives and based on official revenue records. The demarcation initiative is intended to minimize human and financial losses during future flooding events, by clearly defining safe zones and discouraging encroachment on vulnerable riverbanks.