Lahore Manhole Tragedy:Maryam Directs Arrests, Removes Negligent Officials

Lahore-(Asif Iqbal/Mudassar Iqbal/News Desk)-Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has taken strict action following the tragic Bhati Gate manhole incident in Lahore, terming the negligence that led to the deaths of a woman and her 10-month-old daughter as “equivalent to murder.”

Chairing an emergency high-level meeting at the Lahore Airport Lounge upon her return from Bhakkar, the Chief Minister ordered the arrest of four officials, including the project director, and the dismissal of two others. She also suspended the entire project team and directed that criminal cases be pursued against all responsible individuals without exception.

During the meeting, senior officials presented a detailed briefing on the incident. Maryam Nawaz expressed severe displeasure over the performance of the district administration, the Lahore Development Authority (LDA), WASA, NESPAK, contractors, and consultants involved in the project, stating that criminal negligence was evident at every stage.

“This is not a remote or underdeveloped area. Bhati Gate is a historic and prominent part of Lahore, visited by people from across Pakistan and around the world,” the Chief Minister said. “Leaving an open manhole after construction work is not just negligence — it is a criminal act.”

Officials Arrested, Dismissed

The Chief Minister ordered the removal and arrest of Project Director (TEPA) Zahid Hussain, Project Manager Asghar Sindhu, Safety Incharge Daniyal, and Project Manager Ahmed Nawaz. She also directed that these officials must not be reappointed in any government department in the future.

Maryam Nawaz stated that the contractor, supervisor, consultant, Commissioner Lahore, Deputy Commissioner Lahore, Assistant Commissioner, LDA, and WASA were all equally responsible for the tragedy.

“Everyone involved — from the contractor to the district administration — failed in their duty. No one can escape responsibility,” she said.

Incident and Alleged Cover-Up

According to official reports, a woman and her infant daughter fell into an open manhole at Bhati Gate during ongoing construction work. Shockingly, authorities initially dismissed the incident as false news. WASA and rescue teams denied involvement, and conflicting statements were issued for several hours.

The Chief Minister criticized what she described as deliberate attempts to suppress the incident.

“Instead of helping the affected family, the husband was taken into police custody and treated as a suspect. This is unacceptable,” she said. “If a woman and child fall into a manhole, the first response should be rescue — not denial.”

Maryam Nawaz Orders Strict Enforcement Of Marriage Act

Maryam Nawaz revealed that CCTV footage was available until 7:30 pm and that rescue services were alerted within two minutes of the incident. However, officials had already abandoned the site and left the manhole uncovered after construction work was halted.

“How could someone commit a crime and dispose of bodies within two minutes?” she questioned, rejecting claims that the incident did not occur at the site.

FIR and Arrests

An FIR was lodged under Section 322 of the Pakistan Penal Code on the complaint of the victim’s father, Sajid. The accused include Project Manager Asghar Sindhu, Safety Incharge Daniyal, Site Incharge, and another individual identified as Nawaz.

The FIR states that the suspects left the manhole open due to negligence and carelessness, directly leading to the deaths. Three suspects have already been arrested, while further action is underway.

Following postmortem examinations, the bodies of the woman and her daughter were handed over to their heirs.

Compensation and Relief for Family

The Chief Minister directed the contractor to pay Rs10 million as compensation to the victim’s husband. Additionally, the Punjab government will provide a taxi for employment, ensuring a sustainable source of income for the bereaved family.

“Justice is not only punishment. It is also ensuring that the affected family is supported and not abandoned,” Maryam Nawaz said.

Failure of Safety Measures

Maryam Nawaz expressed deep concern over the absence of basic safety measures at the construction site. She criticized the practice of relying solely on banners and flex signs.

“If construction is happening in a dark area, who will read banners? Safety requires lights, covers, and constant monitoring,” she said.

She also questioned the Assistant Commissioner for failing to inspect the site, stating that regular visits to ensure safety are a basic administrative responsibility.

Safe City Cameras and New Directives

The Chief Minister disclosed that Safe City cameras had been temporarily removed due to construction work, and the Safe City Authority head was unaware of the incident until she personally intervened.

She directed that temporary mobile or wireless cameras must be installed wherever permanent cameras are removed due to construction activities.

“People lie easily when there are no cameras. This must end,” she said.

Maryam Nawaz further ordered that all open manholes and pits across Punjab must be fully covered, with proper lighting ensured at night. She warned that deputy commissioners would be held personally accountable for any future negligence.

Strong Remarks on Accountability

Addressing officials, the Chief Minister said, “This is Punjab. Here, every life matters — rich or poor. People who fall into manholes are never wealthy; they are ordinary citizens walking on the streets.”

She added, “If this were my daughter or yours, the entire system would move instantly. Those who left the manhole open — do they not have children of their own?”

Maryam Nawaz emphasized that falling into a manhole and dying is no different from murder, and that public servants must answer not only to the law but also to their conscience and to God.

Administrative Trust Shaken

The Chief Minister expressed a lack of confidence in the performance of the responsible departments and warned that strict action would continue against negligent officials.

“Ten departments exist, yet no one is responsible. This culture of passing the blame will not continue,” she said.

She concluded by stating that attempts to twist facts and mislead authorities were deeply shameful and that transparency and accountability would be enforced at all levels.