LAHORE (Dunya News) - The names of officials who allegedly provided incorrect information to the government and media regarding the Bhati Chowk incident, in which a mother and child fell into a manhole, have come to light.
Managing Director WASA Ghafran Ahmed and District Officer Rescue 1122 Shahid Waheed were identified as having shared misleading details. While Rescue 1122 carried out the recovery operation, responsibility also lay with WASA authorities.
According to reports, MD WASA Ghafran Ahmed had stated that the water level inside the sewer line was only one foot, making drowning impossible. He further claimed that a tyre was passed through the WASA line but nothing was found. He said no obstruction was observed, the water level was minimal, and it did not appear that anyone had fallen in, suggesting the possibility of a fake call.
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Similarly, Rescue 1122 official Shahid Waheed reportedly informed senior officers through a video message that no one could fall into the manhole, the water level was low, and that a body could not move forward, asserting that no such incident had occurred.
Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari stated that without proper investigation or a complete search, authorities were informed that the incident had not taken place. She said the information shared with her was passed on as received, adding that officials present at the site were the source of updates provided to senior authorities and the media.
She said that when officers themselves brief the media, there is little option but to trust their statements, adding that such a level of irresponsibility was unimaginable.