Swat Tragedy: Urgent Steps Needed to Prevent Future Incidents

We, as a nation, have the habit of not learning from tragedies and not implementing systems to prevent them. Calamities like building collapses, factory fires, and river drownings continue to occur due to lack of caution and planning. The recent Swat tragedy highlights the need for better organization and preparedness.

During summer, many people visit northern areas like Swat, Kaghan, and Naran for relief from heat. However, visitors often overlook safety measures in their pursuit of fun and adventure, leading to accidents. The Swat tragedy, like the Murree incident before it, reveals the consequences of poor planning and negligence.

To prevent such tragedies, authorities must improve coordination among departments like Tourism, PMD, NDMA, and Highways. Regular updates on road conditions, landslides, and tourist numbers are essential. Safety measures such as weather alerts, vehicle monitoring, and accommodation checks should be enforced to ensure visitor safety.

Boat and cable car safety, maintenance of swings, and proper bridges over streams are crucial for tourist safety. The Tourism Task Force and Tourism Police need to educate the public on risks and ensure emergency preparedness. A comprehensive National Tourism Policy is needed to boost the tourism sector and attract more visitors to Pakistan's diverse attractions.

Let's not wait for another tragedy to take action. By prioritizing safety and planning, we can harness the potential of our tourism sector and promote Pakistan as a desirable destination for global travelers.

According to the source: nation.com.pk.