KARACHI: Pakistan Life Saving Foundation (PALS Rescue) recently got recognised by K-Electric for its efforts and perseverance to provide safety to the people at the beaches of Karachi as a free public service and was awarded the first prize under the category of ‘safety’. This is another feather in the cap of this NGO given how much effort its formally trained lifeguards put in to keep our beaches risk free for the general public, especially during the monsoon reason.
The prize worth Rs. 2 million brings about a sigh of relief during this COVID affected era when making both ends meet for locally funded NGOs has become a challenge and PALS Rescue has been no less of a victim, considering the dire consequences of the prevailing pandemic. It has not only been providing safety to people coming to the beaches of the city but has also been indirectly providing employment to young boys as lifeguards from the fishing villages in close proximity to these beaches.
It was indeed a proud moment when Dale Sinkler, CGTO K-Electric presented the award to PALS Rescue’s team and a realisation that a great idea for serving humanity pays off in ways one has not even imagined!
The new sustainability awards known as the KE KHI Awards 2021 have been initiated by K-Electric under its corporate social responsibility wing to honour all those organisations of the city that have done something worthwhile considering areas pertaining to hope, peace, and development. Thus, this is their unique way of highlighting such organisations among the masses as they have had a significant impact on the metropolis and its people.
Pakistan Life Saving Foundation (PALS Rescue) is a registered NGO, with international accreditation, established in 2004 for the purpose of providing life-saving services along the beaches of Karachi, as a free public service. It started as an idea after the president had a near death experience himself and wanted to give back to the society by establishing a safety mechanism which was earlier absent at the beaches and now envisions to spread the services towards all water bodies of the country.
It is the only privately run near shore water safety, drowning prevention and rescue organisation in Pakistan. It has successfully created a safe environment on the beaches and coastline, through a combination of lifeguard patrols, education, training, public safety campaigns and the promotion of health and fitness.
Since its inception PALS Rescue has saved over 6000 people from drowning along Karachi’s beaches. It has also conducted over 7,000,000 preventive actions and has provided first-aid to over 6,000 people. Its presence along Karachi’s beaches provides protection to over 8,000,000 beach visitors every year. Since 2004, PALS Rescue has been able to maintain a ‘near zero’ drowning rate, which is a direct result of the efforts of a highly trained lifeguard service that has ensured safety for the public.
PALS Rescue represents Pakistan at the International Life Saving Federation (ILS) as a Full Member and is also closely associated with Surf Life Saving New Zealand (SLSNZ). It also has a membership at the Royal Lifesaving Society (RLSS), UK.
