Pakistan, July 19 -- The inquiry report on the Swat tragedy exposes serious negligence by the Tourism Department. It found no tourism officials were present at the site on the day of the incident. Despite legal duties, the Culture and Tourism Authority failed to license hotels in tourist areas properly and did not register hotels.

The report also revealed that tourism police were absent at the popular tourist spot Fiza Ghat. The tourism helpline (1422) meant for visitor assistance was inactive, and the public remained unaware of it. There was no tourist information or facilitation center at the district level, and travel agents operated without any oversight.

The hotel where tourists stayed was set up illegally on the riverbank without ...