KARACHI, Oct 14: A New Zealand-based NGO has agreed to assist and work with Pakistan Aquatic Life Saving (PALS) to provide trained and equipped lifeguards along the coast of Karachi.
This agreement was made between the representatives of the two organizations. The President of the New Zealand-based NGO, Timothy Jabo, visited Karachi, accompanied by the PALS President, Reza Samad, last week who conducted a comprehensive joint study of the entire coastline of the city.
The week-long visit of the NGO involved popular beaches of the city, including Sea-View, Clifton, Sandspit, Hawkesbay, French Beach, Paradise Point, Cape Monze and Mubarak village.
In a brief during the visit, PALS President emphasised the fact that Pakistan is one of the few countries in the world where a formal lifeguard structure is still not in place in 2003.
According to him, with the increase in causalities at the beaches due to a larger number of picnickers visiting the beaches every year, there was a need to mobilise a strong and well-equipped lifeguard force along the coastline.
He said most countries that have a coastline, have had lifeguards for the public for over 100 years.
A Press release issued by the PALS said in his observations, the President of the Surf Life Saving New Zealand, Mr Jago said that the coastline of Karachi was similar to beaches found in New Zealand and Australia and observed that a variety of patrolling options will have to be adopted by the PALS for an effective life-saving management.
Mr Jago added that an even more detailed beach audit would have to be conducted in the next few months to determine the exact equipment requirements for each and every location along the popular coastlines.
He also advised the PALS to start the process of educating the youth through school programmes as is done in the rest of the world.
Established recently, the PALS will provide safety to users of Karachi’s popular coastline beaches from DHA to Mauripur.
Beach areas will include Sea View, Clifton, Sands Pit, Hawkesbay, French beach, Paradise Point, Cape Monze and Mubarak village, covering approximately 32.9 kms of popular beach front.
