Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Thursday ordered the immediate arrest of officials responsible for a deadly incident in which a mother and her daughter fell into an open manhole in Lahore. She also directed the dismissal of the project director and related staff and ordered criminal negligence cases against all those found responsible.
The tragic incident occurred near Bhatti Gate, close to Data Darbar, when the family was leaving the shrine and attempting to board a rickshaw near an ongoing construction site. Officials said the area had multiple uncovered manholes, poor lighting, and a lack of safety arrangements. The mother’s body was recovered on Wednesday, while the daughter’s body was found the following day.
Calling the incident “tantamount to murder,” Maryam Nawaz criticized the Lahore administration, Wasa officials, the LDA, and site supervisors for failing to ensure basic safety measures. She said the tragedy could have been prevented with simple steps such as covering manholes, installing warning signs, and managing traffic.
The chief minister announced Rs10 million in compensation for the affected family, to be paid by the contractor. Authorities have begun collecting evidence, reviewing CCTV footage, and recording statements. Maryam Nawaz reiterated that public development projects must protect lives and vowed strict accountability for negligence.
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