Islamabad, June 19, 2025: Tragedy has struck a family in Rawalpindi as news emerged from the UK about the drowning of two sisters during a university hiking trip. Hajra Zahid, 29, and Haleema Zahid, 25, lost their lives on June 11 while visiting Eryri National Park (Snowdonia) in North Wales with friends from the University of Chester.
An inquest in the UK has been informed that the sisters were pulled from water pools along the Watkin Path, a popular trail leading to the summit of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon). Their funeral prayers took place in northern England on Tuesday night, and their bodies were flown back to Pakistan on Wednesday.
Hajra and Haleema had arrived in the UK just four months ago to pursue their master’s degrees at Chester University. Originally from Kahuta and raised in Gulzar-e-Quaid, Rawalpindi, they were residing in Maltby, Rotherham. Hajra was married and had two young sons, aged six and three.
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Their relatives expressed the family’s deep grief and alleged inconsistencies in information received from UK authorities. The relative stated that while police reported one sister drowned trying to save the other, the positions in which their bodies were found and witness statements suggest a different scenario. The family reportedly feels unsupported by the ongoing investigation.
Assistant coroner for north-west Wales, Sarah Riley, stated at the inquest that both sisters had entered the water in the Nant Gwynant area and sadly died as a result of drowning. A friend made formal identification. Riley added that investigations into the circumstances of their deaths are continuing, and the inquest has been adjourned. She offered sincere condolences to the family and friends of the deceased.
North Wales Police confirmed they were called to the scene following reports of women in the water. Despite rescue efforts by mountain rescue teams, an air ambulance, and a coastguard helicopter, both sisters were pronounced dead at the scene.
The University of Chester’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Eunice Simmons, expressed the university community’s sorrow at the tragic loss of two sisters who drowned during a UK hike, extending heartfelt sympathies to the families and friends of Haleema and Hajra, who were students at Chester Business School.
