Swat River Tragedy
PESHAWAR
The Department of Tourism and Culture has directed the Culture and Tourism Authority (CTA) to implement key recommendations issued by the Swat Tragedy Inquiry Commission.
The move comes amid severe criticism of the authority’s failure to regulate tourism safety measures in the region.
According to an official letter issued by the Secretary of the Tourism Department, the CTA has been instructed to immediately launch a comprehensive licensing system for all hotels and hospitality units operating in tourist destinations.
The authority has also been directed to actively disseminate tourism and safety-related information through both print and electronic media to raise public awareness.
The department has called for the establishment of tourist facilitation centers at all major entry points to popular destinations, aiming to provide timely assistance and guidance to travelers.
Furthermore, a comprehensive directory of all tourist destinations within the province was to be maintained and publicized for the benefit of tourists and stakeholders.
To ensure tourist safety, the deployment of tourism police at all key locations in Swat has been mandated.
Travel agents operating both within and outside the province must now be regulated and held accountable to safety standards and protocols. Hotels will be required to obtain seasonal weather condition certificates before operation and implement strict safety measures, including restricting access to riverbanks during hazardous conditions.
The department has also emphasized legal compliance and warned that disciplinary action will be taken against officers and officials who fail to meet the implementation deadlines.
According to the report, the tourism department was entirely absent at the scene of the incident and failed to demonstrate any role in organizing or ensuring tourist safety.
Despite having the legal mandate, the CTA has not implemented a licensing framework for hotels in tourist areas.
Additionally, the Tourism Police’s jurisdiction remains confined to Upper Swat, leaving vulnerable areas such as Fizagat unprotected. The official tourist helpline (1422) is largely unknown to the public, indicating a failure in outreach and communication. The inquiry also noted the absence of tourism awareness or facilitation centers in the district.
Travel agents, the report said, continue to operate without regulation or oversight, creating serious safety concerns. The authority has been criticized for focusing more on event management than on fulfilling its core regulatory responsibilities, leaving tourists exposed and uninformed.
The Tourism Department has now vowed to rectify these shortcomings and strengthen enforcement mechanisms to prevent future tragedies.
