Lahore contractor to pay Rs10 million to Bhaati Gate tragedy victims, CM Maryam orders

LAHORE (Dunya News) – Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has expressed deep shock over the death of a mother and daughter who fell into a sewer line in Bhaati Gate area, calling the incident unacceptable in a major city like Lahore.

During a high-level meeting on the Bhaai Gate tragedy, Maryam Nawaz questioned why the names of those responsible from Tepa and WASA had not been disclosed and why arrests had not been made. She described the accident as a moment of intense grief and termed it “criminal negligence”.

Expressing sympathy with the affected family, the chief minister announced that Rs10 million would be secured from the responsible contractor to provide financial assistance. She emphasised that no distinction exists between deaths caused by negligence or other means.

The loss of an innocent life in the heart of Lahore is not a mere accident, it is a crime, and it has bowed my head in shame. Instead of accepting responsibility, facts were distorted to hide incompetence. Officers who cannot even secure an open manhole have no right to hold…

— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) January 29, 2026

Maryam Nawaz revealed that briefings confirmed construction work was ongoing at the accident site, the sewer line was extremely high, and water flow varied constantly. The young woman and her 10-month-old daughter had been visiting relatives in Lahore and were boarding a rickshaw when the accident occurred. Darkness and the absence of lighting contributed to the tragedy, which could have been prevented.

The chief minister stated that everyone present at the site shared responsibility, noting that multiple manholes were left open and safety measures were completely lacking. She confirmed the mother’s body was recovered yesterday and the daughter’s today, highlighting the severe oversight at the construction site.

Lahore Manhole Incident.
Three nominated persons have been Arrested.
1- Asghar Sindhu (Project Manager)
2-Ahmed Nawaz(Site Supervisor)
3-Hanzla Alias Danyal (Safety Incharge) pic.twitter.com/UZfFn35fxJ

— Muneeb Farooq (@muneebfaruqpak) January 29, 2026

Criticising the handling of the site, Maryam Nawaz noted that though the area had been cordoned off with pannaflex, lighting was not arranged, and those who left the site unsecured appeared unconcerned.

پارکنگ کا مسئلہ بعد کی بات ہے، اصل سوال یہ ہے کہ وہ جگہ کورڈ کیوں نہیں تھی؟ اسے کھلا چھوڑ دیا گیا، کسی نے پرواہ نہیں کی۔ سائیڈ پر پینافلیکس اور بینرز لگے تھے کہ آگے کنسٹرکشن ہو رہی ہے، لیکن وہ کافی نہیں تھے۔ روشنی بالکل نہیں تھی، کوئی بلب نہیں جل رہا تھا۔ ایسے میں کون کھڑا ہو کے… pic.twitter.com/rmtEYKFQNe

— PMLN (@pmln_org) January 29, 2026

She further remarked that reviewing Safe City and CCTV footage takes time, but such incidents cannot be tolerated in Lahore, a major metropolis.