By Saleem Mubarak
LAHORE: This is the story of three young boys who went to the canal but never returned. Their dreams were lost in the waves, leaving an entire city drowning in grief.
Do you know why, even after such a tragedy, the district authorities in Faisalabad remain silent and inactive?
Are our lives really that cheap? Today, we take you into a harsh reality, hidden from plain sight but deeply piercing to the heart. This isn’t just an accident; it’s a mirror reflecting our society’s painful truth.
If the concerned authorities showed even a little seriousness, precious human lives could be saved. Unfortunately, the situation in Faisalabad is quite the opposite.
The Heartbreaking Incident on June 14
On June 14, a heartbreaking tragedy took place in the city. Four young boys, full of dreams and energy, went swimming in a canal near the Novelty Bridge on Samundri Road. They were reportedly caught in a strong current, and bystanders managed to rescue one of them — Adil Mushtaq, a 15-year-old from Lahore.
Rescue 1122 was called, and the team began a search operation for the remaining boys. Sadly, despite their efforts, three of the boys could not be saved.
The ill-fated deceased boys were identified as Umair Umar, 18, Asam Mubark, 17, both from Lahore, and Adnan Fiaz, 20, from Mominabad, Faisalabad.
This incident is not only tragic but also raises serious questions about how much we, as a nation, truly value human life.
If such an incident had occurred in a truly responsible system, the district administration, police, and canal department would have immediately sprung into action. Plans would have been devised not only to prevent similar accidents in the future but also to ensure that the site of the incident was secured and monitored by guards to make it safe for visitors.
Sadly, the reality in Faisalabad is quite the opposite. Even after lives are lost, district administration officials remain in a state of slumber, as if human life is merely a number to them–devoid of meaning, emotion, or value.
Attempts to Contact Authorities Fell on Deaf Ears
After this heartbreaking incident, as a journalist and a responsible citizen, I personally tried to contact the Deputy Commissioner and Commissioner of Faisalabad. I sent them messages and, through an official of the Director General of Public Relations (DGPR), Faisalabad also attempted to deliver official messages to find out what practical steps were being taken to prevent such tragedies.
Instead of recognizing the gravity of the issue, the DGPR Faisalabad official did not bother to contact the DC or Commissioner. Instead, he gave the number of a junior officer for the version of district administration.
This junior officer responded to this scribe, promising to contact the DC and keep me informed, but he too disappeared without a trace.
It has been three days since I sent those messages. To this day, no officer has responded. This silence speaks volumes.
This behavior clearly reveals the priorities of district administration officials.
Hammad Ahmed, associated with a prominent news channel, told GL News that the officials’ entire focus is only on pleasing their superiors, not on protecting the public. The innocent lives lost due to their negligence mean nothing to them.
He explained that, because of the scorching heat, people rush to the canals, ignoring the dangers to their lives. However, by ensuring regular patrolling at the busiest spots, the district administration and relevant departments could prevent people from jumping into the canals.
No Safety Nets, Warning Boards, or Monitoring
Even today, the canal flows the same way — without any safety nets for people, no warning boards, and no monitoring system in place. He said that the government, which is responsible for taking action after such incidents, remains silent. No concrete steps have been taken, and no accountability has been accepted. The government machinery only issues statements, but meaningful action is nowhere to be seen, he said.
He said incidents of people drowning in canals are popping up like mushrooms every day. These people are not just taking a dip in deserted spots; instead, they prefer to hang out in the thick of things near city areas, where they can turn their outing into a picnic.
“We have to stop blaming fate – and start holding the system accountable.”
Questions on Lack of Safety Measures and Accountability
Ali Ahmed, a computer engineer, asked why the area was not marked as dangerous. Why didn’t authorities install a simple barrier or fence? Why was no one appointed to monitor such a high-risk location?
He pointed out that this isn’t the first time boys have drowned in the canal and questioned why the district administration has not learned from past incidents.
“If the authorities can install CCTV cameras on every road, why can’t they do the same for the canals to prevent such tragic incidents?”
He also said that while rulers spend millions on PR campaigns, they don’t allocate enough resources to ensure proper patrolling at the canals during summer. This, he added, is the real face of the governance in Faisalabad – where promises are expensive but lives are cheap.
