LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has taken immediate notice of the tragic incident in Lahore where a mother and her young daughter fell into a manhole, prompting a crackdown on safety and accountability.
She summoned officials from police, Rescue 1122, WASA, and the district administration to provide a detailed, impartial investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragedy. The Chief Minister emphasized the need for transparency and demanded a comprehensive fact-finding report without delay.
Throughout her ongoing engagements in Bhkar, Maryam Nawaz kept a close watch on developments, receiving live updates on the rescue efforts. She instructed authorities to take strict action against any officials providing false or conflicting information about the incident.
Initial reports from authorities had downplayed the event, with some dismissing it as false. The woman’s husband was detained during the early stages but was released after her body was recovered. The child’s remains were retrieved from a drainage system after 17 hours of search.
Preliminary investigations, supported by CCTV footage, reveal that the woman and her daughter had been seen leaving Data Darbar and walking toward the bustling markets near Bhati Gate. The footage shows them moving through crowded streets before the tragic fall where the child fell into the manhole and the mother jumped in to rescue her.
The child’s body was discovered approximately 17 hours later, nearly eight kilometers from the site, while the mother’s remains were recovered about six hours after the incident. An FIR was registered at Bhati Gate Police Station under Section 322, and three officials Project Manager Asghar Sandhu, Safety In-Charge Daniyal, and Site In-Charge Ahmed Nawaz have been taken into custody.
Post-mortem examinations are currently underway at Mayo Hospital. Early findings suggest negligence may have played a role, with authorities investigating whether lapses in safety protocols and site management contributed to the tragedy.
The incident has sparked serious concerns regarding urban safety standards in Lahore, especially in areas dense with religious sites and markets. Despite initial denials by local authorities, the reality was acknowledged after the recovery of the mother’s body, highlighting the urgent need for improved safety measures in crowded city spaces.
