Unanswered Call on the Swat Tragedy: Transparency Failure Plagues KITE Project

 

 

Musarrat Ullah Jan – Kikxnow Digital creator

A critical request for transparency regarding a tragic incident on the Swat River has been met with complete silence by the managing authority, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Integrated Tourism Development Project (KITE). The refusal to respond to the formal information request, sent nearly two months ago, has now become a central point of concern, particularly as the journalist plans to escalate the issue to the World Bank, the project's key financial backer.

On August 13, 2025, investigative journalist Mussarat Ullah Jan submitted a formal application under the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Right to Information Act, 2013, to the Project Director of KITE. The request sought validated information concerning the project's emergency preparedness, response, and coordination following the devastating incident where seventeen tourists lost their lives in the Swat River.

The detailed request specifically demanded the following:

Copies of Emergency Response and Disaster Management Plans for tourist sites within the KITE project's jurisdiction along the Swat River, including Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for coordination with Rescue 1122, PDMA, and the District Administration.

Records of any warnings or public advisories issued by the KITE Project to tourists and the local population during heavy rain and high water levels.

Details of emergency equipment, rescue boats, trained staff, and budget allocations available at Swat tourist sites at the time of the incident.

Minutes, correspondence, or notifications of all meetings held between KITE, the District Administration, PDMA, and Rescue 1122 two days before and one day after the tragedy.

Details of any post-incident or inquiry report prepared by the KITE office regarding the Swat River incident.

Confirmation of whether Rescue 1122 received a call during the incident, including the time and details of the call, and the location of the nearest response center.

The provincial law mandates a prompt response to such applications. However, despite the gravity of the tourist deaths and the clear legal requirement, the KITE Project Directorate has failed to provide any information or even a legal justification for denial, leaving the journalist with no option but to highlight this administrative failure to the international community.

The journalist confirmed his intention to present the documented failure to comply with local transparency laws directly to the World Bank, which finances the KITE project. This move underscores the serious lack of governance and accountability within the project management, suggesting that funds intended for integrated tourism development and safety may be compromised by administrative negligence and a deliberate lack of transparency. The silence from the Directorate on such a crucial matter not only dishonors the victims but also tarnishes the province’s commitment to responsible project management and public safety.

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