Khanpur capers: Break the law to beat the heat

Two youngsters have drowned in the lake this summer, so far.

HARIPUR:

At the height of summer every year, youngsters from different cities throng Khanpur Lake to dive into the canals and main dam areas, defying a ban that the local administration usually imposes under section 144 of the Pakistan Penal Code.

Yet again, this year the Haripur district coordination officer prohibited bathing and swimming in and around Khanpur Dam for sixty days. But defiant youngsters, in a quest to beat the scorching heat, dive in right in front of the local police.

“We have arrested over 100 swimmers from the plunge pool and main dam areas during the last three weeks, but it is really difficult for us to control dozens of youths with our limited numbers,” said a police officer requesting anonymity. Friday and Sunday are the two busiest days, as scores of youngsters visit the beautiful lake and its canals, seeking respite from the stresses of life in the summer season.

Swimmers from Wah, Taxila, Rawalpindi, Islamabad and Haripur are usually found swimming in the left bank canal, which supplies water to Islamabad and Rawalpindi, and other beneficiaries.

A local contractor has set up a barrier covering a major part of the canal near Shohal village. The contractor holds the rights to the management of the parking lot, and kiosks set up to sell snacks to picnickers and swimming trunks to swimmers. The contractor is a high-ranking police official currently deputed in Islamabad. He charges every swimmer Rs10 for the trunks, Rs5 for swimming and Rs30 for parking of vehicles, even motorcycles.

“Yes we charge for the facilities we offer to picnickers and if people opt to go for a swim, it does not come under the purview of section 144 PPC,” claimed one of the attendants, arguing that the ban was for the main dam and the plunge pool area under the dam’s spillway.

At least two youngsters have lost their lives this season, while independent sources calculated that about 23 deaths have been reported in Khanpur dam during the last four summers.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 23^rd, 2011.