MANSEHRA: The son of former provincial minister from Kohistan Maulana Asmatullah drowned in Kunhar River in Battakundai area of Kaghan valley on Friday night.

“Our team is searching for the body of the victim, but strong water flow in Kunhar River is hampering the rescue work,” Tariq Khan, SHO Kaghan police station, told reporters on Saturday.

Qari Abdul Majid was crossing the river along with his family members, when he was swept away by water.

Maulana Asmatullah, who was provincial minister for revenue and zakat, stepped down as MPA earlier this year and Zargul Khan, the political adviser to the chief minister, was elected unopposed from his constituency in Palas Kohistan.

A bridge on the river was swept away earlier this month because of heavy water flow, leaving people of Battakundai with no option but to cross the river, going through the water, putting their lives at great risk.

Abdul Majid, according to his family sources, was on his way to Palas to lead Taraveeh prayers.

SHO Tariq Khan said besides police the locals and family members of the victim were also searching for the body.

The police officer said that while tourists were not allowed beyond a certain point along the river, the locals were not restricted.

Published in Dawn, May 28th, 2017