Constructions along Swat River banned.

SWAT -- Swat deputy commissioner Junaid Khan on Tuesday imposed Section 144, banning all kinds of constructions along the Swat River.

Legal action would be taken against the violators of the ban under Section 188 of PPC, according to a statement issued here.

The ban is meant to protect the beauty of Swat River and to prevent the residential areas situated near it from flooding.

'It has been observed that large-scale and mismanaged constructions on the banks of the river and other water courses have led to encroachments, which often cause floods,' Mr Junaid said in the order, adding the haphazard and unplanned construction along the Swat River and other water courses were undermining efforts of the district administration to ensure safety of people from floods.

The order, referring to sub-section (a) of section (3) of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa River Protection Act, stated that no person shall construct any commercial...