Gen Z is boldly stepping up to save Karachi's treasured beaches from relentless pollution—imagine a youth-led revolution where bright-eyed volunteers swap social media scrolls for trash bags, turning a dire environmental crisis into a beacon of hope. But here's where it gets intriguing: are these young activists truly making a lasting impact, or is this more about viral moments than meaningful change?
You might have spotted those viral clips on TikTok or Instagram, showing Gen Z folks beaming with energy as they scoop up litter along sandy shores. These aren't random acts; they're largely orchestrated by the Hammad Foundation, a nonprofit that's channeling the passion of today's youth into tangible action. Founded back in 2010, the foundation has been quietly working to empower young people, and their beach cleanup initiatives are a shining example of this mission in practice.
Karachi's beaches are supposed to be serene havens—spots for relaxation, picnics, and escaping the city's hustle. Unfortunately, they've been overwhelmed by tons of litter, from plastic bottles to food wrappers, which not only spoils the scenic beauty but also wreaks havoc on marine life. Think about it: turtles mistaking plastic for food, or fish ingesting toxins that make their way up the food chain. To combat this, the Hammad Foundation kicked off its Gen Z-focused beach cleanups in 2020 as part of their broader youth empowerment efforts. But let's rewind to the humble beginnings—back then, it was a tough sell, struggling to draw even a handful of participants despite all the promotion.
Founder Hammad Tanveer shared with Images that their inaugural drive in 2020 attracted just four people, even after reaching out to friends and family. 'We put on a great campaign for our network, but only four showed up,' he recalled. Over the following years, working in areas like Manora, Hawkesbay, and Kund Malir, they managed to rally only 30 to 40 volunteers per event. That all changed dramatically in 2025, marking a turning point that most people overlook in these success stories.
And this is the part most people miss—the sudden surge in engagement that flipped the script. For their 13th cleanup, Tanveer's team anticipated the usual modest crowd, but instead, about 250 eager participants arrived. Buoyed by this momentum, they launched a youth internship program, enrolling over 80 college and university students as ambassadors. This really built the foundation's reach, creating a network that spread the word organically.
The pinnacle came at their 15th drive on Thursday near Chunky Monkey on Seaview, where an astounding 3,000-plus volunteers turned out—far surpassing expectations. Leveraging social media buzz and word-of-mouth through their interns, the foundation got thousands out of bed early on a public holiday to scrub nearly two kilometers of Karachi's coastline clean. Even members of Dawn's editorial team joined in and can attest to the sheer scale of participation. 'There were foreigners and celebrities in the mix, but we spotlighted our Gen Z volunteers—they're our real stars,' Tanveer said proudly.
The event was slated to kick off at 8 a.m., but excitement delayed the start until around 9:30 a.m., wrapping up by 2 p.m. Tanveer's crew kept working late into the evening, from 8 to 9 p.m., to deliver the filled trash bags to the Cantonment Board Clifton (CBC) for proper disposal. Notably, CBC staff were present on-site to assist, ensuring the process was smooth and responsible.
Tanveer noted that sponsors provided 7,000 to 8,000 trash bags, with about 3,000 to 4,000 getting used. While he was thrilled with the turnout, he expressed some disappointment that not all bags were filled. 'Many volunteers were new to this, and they seemed more hyped about the crowd than the actual cleaning,' he explained. 'Sure, there was media coverage and a fun vibe, which was great—they got out for Pakistan's sake. But if they'd focused more on picking up trash, we'd have emptied every bag. That was a bit of a letdown.'
Now, here's where controversy creeps in: Is this massive participation a genuine win for the environment, or just a feel-good gathering diluted by distractions? Critics might argue that prioritizing social aspects over hardcore cleanup undermines the core goal, while supporters see it as a stepping stone to broader awareness. Tanveer thoughtfully chooses locations like Nishan-e-Pakistan for security reasons, balancing safety with impact.
These beach drives are just one facet of the Hammad Foundation's expansive youth empowerment program. They also champion women's rights, job creation, and support for small businesses, showing a holistic approach to community betterment.
Photos courtesy of Hammad Foundation
What do you think—does the viral, social nature of these events dilute their effectiveness, or is it a smart way to draw in more people? Share your thoughts in the comments: Are you on board with Gen Z's approach, or do you believe traditional methods would yield better results? Let's discuss!
