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SIALKOT, Jun 29 (APP):Federal Minister for Defence Khawaja Muhammad Asif has said that there are no words to describe the Swat tragedy.
He expressed these views while talking to the media after offering condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the Swat tragedy, here in Daska today.
He said that children drowned in front of their mother. “I have no words to talk about this tragedy, but there is no doubt that this is a breakdown of rescue and this is not the first incident, but before this, such incidents of failure of rescuers have happened there too. The rescuers came there, but they came empty-handed and then left because they did not have any equipment,” he added.
The victims say that the officers against whom action had been taken should be recalled. “We will not take any action against them. All these people should be reinstated to their jobs. The death of our family members was written there, which took them there, so we do not want anyone to be held accountable for this accident or any action to be taken against anyone,” they added.
The minister expressed strong criticism over the apparent negligence and shortcomings in addressing safety concerns. Undoubtedly, accidents come from Allah Almighty, but no steps have been taken to prevent these accidents, he added.
In response to a question, he said, “I do not want to engage in political discussions. Let the people decide for themselves or let Allah Almighty decide. Who am I to make any decision about anyone? But I will definitely said that wherever the rulers are, they must realize their responsibilities because governance is not a matter of riding a swing, but rather a bed of thorns. Therefore, all rulers should protect public interests more than their personal and political interests.
Provincial Minister for Local Government Punjab Mian Zeeshan Rafique, Members of Provincial Assembly (MPAs) Muhammad Manshaullah Butt, Chaudhry Naveed Ashraf, Chaudhry Faisal Ikram, Coordinator Prime Minister for Overseas Hafiz Shahid Ghug, Commissioner Gujranwala Division Syed Naveed Haider Shirazi, RPO Gujranwala Tayyab Hafeez Cheema, Deputy Commissioner Sialkot Saba Asghar Ali, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue) Sialkot Muhammad Iqbal, Assistant Commissioner (AC) Daska Usman Ghani and Chief Officer Municipality Daska Ulfat Shahzad along with other senior PML-N leaders were also present.