ISLAMABAD – Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Adviser on Information, Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif, on Sunday strongly criticised Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, accusing her of turning the Swat River tragedy into a political spectacle rather than focusing on meaningful relief efforts.
Speaking to journalists in Islamabad, Barrister Saif labelled the Punjab leadership’s response as “opportunistic politics,” asserting that natural calamities and human tragedies should never be exploited for political mileage.
He confirmed that the KP government has formed a committee to investigate the June 27 disaster, in which 11 tourists lost their lives — including 10 from Punjab and one Swat local — when a flash flood swept through the area. Three people remain missing.
On broader political matters, Saif dismissed concerns over reserved seats, stating that the PTI-led government in KP remains stable and fully functional. He also voiced alarm over the declining respect for the rule of law, saying, “The Constitution and law have become meaningless in today’s Pakistan.”
In addition, Barrister Saif condemned the recent attack on security forces in North Waziristan, describing it as “deeply concerning,” and emphasized the need for strong coordination between federal and provincial governments to maintain national peace and security.
Earlier, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz had expressed grief over the loss of lives in the Swat incident, especially among families from Daska and Sialkot, calling the tragedy “heart-wrenching” and suggesting that timely intervention could have saved lives.
While both provincial leaders have spoken about the tragic loss, their differing tones reflect a growing political divide over responsibility, response, and the use of disaster narratives in public discourse.
