22-year-old drowns at Sands Pit as lifeguards warn of dangerous currents
Karachi: Despite an active ban under Section 144, thousands of citizens descended on Hawkes Bay and Sands Pit beaches on Sunday, turning the coastline into a bustling picnic spot — even as six-foot-high tides and strong currents made the waters perilous.
Among the visitors was 22-year-old Saqib Ali, who tragically lost his life while swimming near Sands Pit. According to ASI Zulqarnain, who heads the local police post, Saqib and his two friends were pulled into deeper waters by powerful waves. Lifeguards stationed nearby managed to rescue all three, but Saqib was in critical condition and could not be revived despite being rushed to the hospital.
The incident occurred amid widespread violation of official orders. From early morning, families, youth, and thrill-seekers arrived at the beaches in large numbers, many choosing to enter the water despite repeated warnings from lifeguards and announcements cautioning against bathing due to high tide risks.
“The tide was particularly dangerous today,” one lifeguard said. “It wasn’t just the waves — the pullback current was extremely strong. We kept warning people, but very few listened.”
Police deployment, particularly at Sands Pit, appeared minimal and largely ineffective. Officers were present, but enforcement was visibly lacking. Vendors and food stalls operated openly along the shore, further drawing crowds and undermining any semblance of restrictions.
Sunday’s drowning has once again raised serious concerns about public disregard for safety advisories, and the weak enforcement mechanism in place to protect citizens — especially during peak monsoon activity.
With more rain and strong sea conditions expected in the coming days, authorities may now be forced to reassess their strategy as the cost of inaction becomes tragically evident.
