THERE is no knowing when a tragedy will strike, but it seems to occur much more often in Pakistan than in many other places. Gaps in legislation or non-enforcement of the latter, or simply the lack of political or administrative will to take action exacerbates matters. We saw a recent example of this in Nawabshah a few days ago, when five children — four of them siblings — and their aunt, drowned at a private water park as the boat in which they were being ferried capsized. News reports say that the small vessel was overloaded, carrying as many as 22 persons at the time of the accident. Perhaps even then the deaths could have been prevented — had there been safety gear on board or timely rescue services.

The boat operator was ‘detained’ by the police for interrogation. But that is to address the effect rather than the cause, much like public transport operators are booked for an accident when nothing is being done to look into the problem of unfit vehicles. What the authorities need to rectify is the issue of poor administrative oversight of safety standards at amusement parks and other places of leisure, particularly privately owned ones that have multiplied in recent years. Licences are required, but that is on paper; after that, it is largely left to the owners to ensure that rides and entertainment meet proper engineering and maintenance standards. And, in the event of a tragedy, an immediate scapegoat is always available. This is a glaring gap that needs to be plugged, especially when we remember that outdoor family entertainment is among the very few outlets of recreation that is available to this country’s young population. Keeping a close watch on the construction, maintenance and functioning of amusements parks is no less important than building regulations or safety standards for public transport. Yet in a country where even these requirements are ignored by the government of the day, is it possible to even argue for picnickers’ right to safety?

Published in Dawn, April 1st, 2018