Khanpur Dam has long been promoted as a beautiful and exciting place for tourism and adventure sports in Pakistan.

People travel from different cities to enjoy the water, the hills and activities like boating, jet skiing and paragliding.

Many visitors go there hoping for a safe and enjoyable experience, especially young people and students who want to try something new.

Sadly, the reality at Khanpur Dam, particularly when it comes to paragliding, is often very disappointing.

Poor management, the lack of proper safety equipment and rude behaviour from the people running these activities have become common complaints.

Instead of being a place of joy and adventure, Khanpur Dam is slowly gaining a reputation for carelessness and disrespect towards visitors.

Paragliding is not a simple game. It is an adventure sport that depends heavily on safety rules, trained staff and reliable equipment. Even a small mistake can lead to serious injury or worse.

At Khanpur Dam, however, these basic requirements are often ignored.

Many people who have tried paragliding there say that the organisers seem more interested in making quick money than in ensuring safety.

Visitors are rushed through the process without proper instructions.

Safety briefings, if given at all, are short and unclear.

Some people are asked to sign forms without understanding what they are agreeing to, while others are not guided properly before the ride begins.

One of the most serious problems is the condition of the equipment.

Paragliding requires strong harnesses, helmets, secure straps and well-maintained gliders.

At Khanpur Dam, much of this gear appears old, damaged or poorly fitted.

Harnesses do not always fit the body properly, especially for first-time riders.

Helmets are sometimes missing, cracked or shared between many people without proper checks.

Straps are loose, tangled or worn out, which can easily lead to accidents.

When visitors point out these issues, they are often ignored or told not to worry, even though they have every right to be concerned about their safety.

Along with the lack of proper equipment, the behaviour of the staff managing paragliding is another major issue.

Many visitors complain that the staff are rude, impatient and unhelpful.

Instead of calmly explaining the process and reassuring nervous riders, some staff members shout, make jokes at the expense of visitors or speak in a harsh tone.

This creates fear and discomfort, especially for those who are already anxious about flying for the first time.

A friendly and professional attitude is very important in adventure sports, but at Khanpur Dam, this is often missing.

The problem becomes even worse when something goes wrong.

If the equipment does not fit or a visitor feels unsafe, the staff should stop the activity and fix the issue.

Instead, people report that their concerns are brushed aside. Complaints are met with anger or mockery, and visitors are made to feel foolish for asking questions.

This kind of behaviour not only ruins the experience but also puts lives at risk. Safety should always come before speed or profit.

A recent trip by the students from the Institute of Business Administration, or IBA, clearly shows how serious the situation has become.

The students visited Khanpur Dam as part of a recreational trip, hoping to relax and enjoy adventure activities together.

For many of them, paragliding was the highlight of the visit.

They trusted that the organisers would take proper care of their safety, especially because they were a group of young students with limited experience in such sports.

Unfortunately, their experience turned out to be stressful and disappointing.

The paragliding area was poorly organised, with people standing around confused about their turn and what to do next.

Instructions were unclear. Some students noticed that the gear looked worn and was not being checked carefully between rides.

Despite this, they were encouraged to continue without proper reassurance.

One particular incident during the trip caused great concern among the students.

A student lost his gear while starting the ride. The harness given to him was not fitted properly, and as he was preparing to take off, part of the gear slipped off.

This happened at the very beginning of the ride, creating panic for the student and fear among those watching.

Instead of responding calmly and responsibly, the staff reacted casually, as if such incidents were normal.

The student was shaken and upset, not only because he lost his chance to enjoy the ride, but also because he realised how dangerous the situation could have been.

This incident raised serious questions about how the equipment is handled and checked.

A properly trained team would ensure that every strap is tight, and every harness is secure before allowing a rider to start.

Losing gear at the start of a paragliding ride is extremely dangerous and should never happen.

The fact that it did happen shows clear negligence. The students felt that their safety was not taken seriously, and many of them decided not to participate further in the activity.

The rude behaviour of the staff made the situation even worse. When the students tried to discuss their concerns, they met with defensive and disrespectful responses.

Instead of apologising or explaining what went wrong, the staff acted as if the students were overreacting.

This lack of accountability left a negative impression on the group. What was meant to be a fun and memorable trip became a lesson in poor management and unsafe practices.

Such experiences are not limited to IBA students alone. Families, tourists and other student groups have shared similar stories over time.

Some visitors leave feeling lucky that nothing serious happened, while others leave angry and disappointed.

In some cases, people have even been injured during adventure activities at or around Khanpur Dam, leading to public concern and temporary shutdowns in the past.

Despite these warnings, little seems to have changed.

The authorities responsible for tourism and safety need to take this matter seriously before it is too late.

Khanpur Dam has great potential as a tourist destination, but only if activities are run responsibly.

Proper training of staff is necessary. They should know how to fit equipment correctly, explain safety rules clearly and deal with the visitors in a polite and respectful manner.

Regular checks of equipment should be mandatory, and damaged or outdated gear should be replaced immediately.

Safety rules should be strictly followed, even if it means slowing down the number of rides.

Respect for the visitors is just as important as safety equipment.

People pay good money for these activities and deserve to be treated with dignity.

Rude behaviour, shouting and careless attitudes have no place in adventure tourism.

A professional approach would not only improve safety but also enhance the reputation of Khanpur Dam as a tourist spot.

If the current situation continues, more people will stop visiting Khanpur Dam for adventure sports.

Word spreads quickly through social media and personal stories, and negative experiences can damage tourism badly.

Students, families and tourists want to feel safe and welcomed, not scared and insulted.

The incident involving the IBA students should be taken as a warning sign.

It shows that even educated groups are losing trust in how these activities are managed.

The mismanagement of paragliding at Khanpur Dam is a serious issue that cannot be ignored.

The lack of proper gear, poor safety checks and rude behaviour of the staff have turned a thrilling activity into a risky and unpleasant experience.

The recent trip of IBA students and the case of a student losing his gear at the start of the ride highlight the dangers clearly.

Unless strict action is taken to improve safety standards and staff behaviour, Khanpur Dam will continue to put visitors at risk and damage its own future as a tourist destination.

What should be a place of adventure and enjoyment must first become a place of responsibility, respect and safety.

The writer is a seasoned journalist and a communications professional.

He can be reached at [email protected]