On May 22, 2025, the Swat district administration initiated an anti-encroachment operation targeting illegal structures along the Swat River. Acting on directives from the chief secretary, Deputy Commissioner Shehzad Mehboob formed a committee comprising local officials, including assistant commissioners, irrigation department staff, and municipal authorities. The committee conducted field visits to identify unauthorized constructions, leading to the demolition of several permanent and under-construction encroachments with the assistance of law enforcement agencies. The administration has affirmed that this drive will continue impartially to restore the riverbanks and prevent future environmental hazards.
In a related development, anti-corruption police arrested Mohammad Arif, the sub-registrar of Babuzai, for allegedly transferring valuable land through forged documents in exchange for bribes. Following a tip-off and evidence verification, authorities conducted a raid resulting in the detention of Arif and his accomplices.
These actions are part of broader efforts to enforce the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa River Protection Act of 2014, which prohibits construction within 200 feet of riverbanks. Previous violations of this law have been linked to intensified flash floods, causing significant damage to infrastructure and the environment in the region.