Peshawar: District Magistrate Swat Sohail Ahmed Khan has imposed an immediate and complete ban on bathing, picnicking and illegal boating by the public and tourists in the Swat River and its tributaries.
An official notification enforcing Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) across the district has also been issued.
According to the notification, the restrictions have been imposed in the public interest in view of the increasing number of drowning incidents in the Swat River and concerns over possible loss of life.
The order states that the ban on unnecessary activities in the rivers and their tributaries is aimed not only at protecting human lives but also at preventing pollution of the river water.
The district administration said the restrictions have come into force with immediate effect and will remain in place for 30 days.
The notification further warned that anyone violating Section 144 would face strict legal action under Section 188 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), along with other applicable laws.