MY 23-year-old cousin, Irtiza Ali, travelled from Lahore to tourist resort Malam Jabba located in Swat along with family a few weeks ago. He was unaware that the hotel (Green Palace) he was staying in had no health and safety regulations in place and an instant geyser was installed in the bathroom.

He fell unconscious while taking a bath owing to the toxic effect of carbon monoxide. The instant geysers have been installed in bathrooms without adequate ventilation. His cousins desperately tried to find a doctor nearby but to no avail. Irtiza died later.

They were told that first aid camps had been cleared from this area on the government’s instruction which seems bizarre as the government is rightly trying to boost tourism in the country.

Can the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister of Tourism Atif Khan ensure proper health and safety regulations are implemented in all hotels in Swat? Are there any ambulances equipped with oxygen cylinders in Swat area to deal with any medical emergencies?

This story of my cousin also appeared in your newspaper (Dec 21). I have waited for more than two weeks since the publication of the story but have not seen any response from any KP tourism industry spokesperson.

I urge the authorities concerned to hold an inquiry into health and safety measures in hotels in Swat. Can a case be booked against the hotel owner, who is allegedly an influential person, for gross negligence?

Subhan Momin
Bradford, UK

Published in Dawn, January 7th, 2020