The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has imposed an immediate ban on sand and gravel mining in the Swat River following Friday’s devastating flash flood, which swept away 17 tourists. Rescue teams have recovered 11 bodies so far, while three individuals have been successfully rescued. Search operations are still underway to locate the remaining three missing tourists. Provincial Minister for Livestock Fazal Hakim Khan Yousafzai announced the ban on sand and gravel excavation in the Swat River. He added that the government has also ordered a grand anti-encroachment operation targeting illegal structures along the riverbanks.
