PTI govt in KP faces criticism for its silence over tourist mob lynching in Swat

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) has drawn criticism for its lack of response after a tourist was lynched in Madyan area of Swat by an enraged mob, who accused him of desecrating the Holy Quran.

The police had failed to protect the deceased after the mob stormed the police station and no law enforcement were seen when individuals set fire to the man after brutally torturing him.

In the wake of the horrific incident, CM KP directed the police to submit a report. However, he has yet to publicly address the matter or issue any concrete directives.

The victim, who had come to visit Swat Valley from Punjab, was paraded naked by local residents, who set him on fire, and threw stones at his burning body.

Social media is flooded with disturbing videos showing the brutal attack on the tourist by assailants.

Officials had imposed restrictions on movement under Section 144 of Pakistani law after the incident.

While prominent religious scholars have condemned the mob lynching, local clerics are reportedly resisting authorities' efforts to apprehend the suspects, with no arrests made yet.

Journalists and netizens criticised the KP government for its deafening silence over the grave issue, saying that lack of action only emboldened vigilantes and delayed justice.

Former PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry also deplored the inaction of the provincial and federal governments over the harrowing incident.

“State Response on Swat incident shows lack of empathy towards public at large, no one at high office including provincial and federal governments have even bothered to condemn the mob violence lest to take action against culprits,” he said.

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State Response on Swat incident shows lack of empathy towards Public at large, no one at high office including provincial and Federal Govt has even bothered to condemn the mob violence lest to take action against culprits… #SwatLynching

— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) June 22, 2024

Several netizens argued that this incident would cripple tourism in Swat and demanded that the KP police officers who failed to deal with the situation and protect the victim be held accountable.

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The Swat Police failed to protect the tourist. It’s a massive failure. They should have immediately transferred the victim out of the city or province, given how the mob was charged and the sensitivity of such events in the area. I don’t know how KP is promoting tourism there?

— Ihtisham Ul Haq (@iihtishamm) June 21, 2024

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وزیر اعلی کے پی سلطان راہی سوات واقعے کے بعد سے کہاں گم ہیں؟

— Mubashir Zaidi (@xadeejourno) June 21, 2024

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سوات میں جھوٹے ناموس رسالت کے الزام پر ایک شخص کو زندہ جلا دیا۔
پھر شرپسندوں نے مقامی پولیس سٹیشن کو بھی آگ لگادی۔

وزیر اعلیٰ علی امین گنڈاپور جتنا غصّہ پیسکو پر نکالتے ہیں اسکا آدھا بھی صوبے میں دہشتگردی کیخلاف دکھایا ہوتا تو یہ حال نہ ہوتا۔
افوسناک!pic.twitter.com/wy8RpvBSlw

— Mona Alam (@MonaAlamm) June 21, 2024

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ہر وقت دھمکیان دینے والے اور مجرمین کو ڈیفنڈ کرنے والے وزیراعلی گنڈاپور کا سوات واقعہ پر کوئ بیان آیا جہان قانون کا سریعا مزاق بنایا گیا ؟؟ کہ حکومت وئان صرف دھمکیان دینے کے لئے ہی رکھی گئ ہے https://t.co/X6PfLBYIPZ

— Dr Humma Saif (@HummaSaif) June 21, 2024

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If Gandapur led @PTIofficial in KP does not ensure that police books the terrorists involved in lynching of a civilian in Swat, it will be a confirmation that there is no rule of law in KP. The police officers who failed to protect the civilian must be suspended too.

— Pakistan Walli (@pakistanwalli) June 21, 2024

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EXTREMELY POOR, INEPT, INEFFICIENT AND INEFFECTIVE RESPONSE BY KPK GOVERNMENT OVER #Swat LYNCHING INCIDENT.
PTI LED GOVERNMENT PROVINCE KPK HAS SERIOUS GOVERNANCE ISSUES AND WHERE THIS LAWLESSNESS IS GOING TO STOP?

— MUB|The Explicit Analyst| (@engrmub) June 22, 2024