CM Maryam Nawaz orders arrests and firings of officials after a mother and baby die in an Open Manhole in Lahore, Bhatti Gate!
A terrible thing happened in Lahore. A woman named Sadia and her baby daughter, Rida Fatima, died after falling into an open manhole near Bhatti Gate. This wasn’t just an accident; it was a failure of public safety, and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz is calling it murder.
The city is in shock, and the government is scrambling to fix things.
CM Maryam Nawaz Reacts Strongly, Orders Arrests
CM Maryam Nawaz isn’t messing around. She held an emergency meeting and ordered the immediate arrest of the people in charge of the project. That includes big shots from the Traffic Engineering and Planning Agency (TIPA) and the Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa). They’re accused of being seriously careless.
The police have arrested the project manager, safety supervisor, site supervisor, and the Wasa officer who was supposed to be watching the area.
CM: Negligence Is Basically Murder
The Chief Minister is pulling no punches. She said that what happened at Bhatti Gate was basically murder because everyone involved was negligent. She’s making it clear that people will be held responsible when public safety is ignored.
She’s also firing the project director and the Wasa officer, saying they should never work for the government again so they fully understand the results of their inaction.
Legal Stuff: Charges Filed
The police have filed a case under Section 322 of the Pakistan Penal Code, which covers deaths caused by carelessness. Sadia’s father, Sajid Hussain, filed the report.
The report says the suspects didn’t secure the manhole, even though they were working on it. The police say they’ll investigate fairly, no matter who’s involved.
Money for the Family, Responsibility for Everyone
CM Maryam Nawaz says the family will get Rs10 million from the contractor. She’s also holding senior officials responsible. That includes the Lahore Development Authority’s Director General, Wasa Managing Director, Lahore Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, and Assistant Commissioner.
It’s not just about blaming the little guys this time. It’s about fixing the whole system.
This tragedy should make everyone think about safety in Punjab’s cities. People are demanding safer streets, better oversight, and real accountability. People are angry and want to see the government do better to ensure there will be no more deaths due to negligence.
Maybe Sadia and Rida Fatima’s deaths can be a turning point if it makes things safer for everyone.
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