Azma Bokhari apologizes for initial statement on Bhatti Gate incident

2026-01-30 - 06:16

LAHORE – Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari, has formally apologized to the affected family following the tragic incident near Bhatti Gate which claimed lives of woman and her nine-month-old daughter. On the previous day, a woman named Sadia, along with her 9-month-old baby, fell into an open manhole near the central gate of Data Darbar. Initially, Minister Bukhari issued a statement claiming that rescue volunteers had performed their duties and found no evidence of the incident. She even labeled the event as “fake news.” However, after protests from the family, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz took notice and instructed that the rescue operation continue. Hours later, the bodies of Sadia and her baby were discovered three kilometers from the site. During a high-level meeting on the incident, Maryam Nawaz remarked that Azma Bokhari was not at fault, as she was relaying the same information that had been given to them. Azma Bokhari later expressed deep regret and sorrow for the incident, issuing a formal apology to the affected family. She stated that she was apologizing on behalf of the Chief Minister and the entire government, adding that they were deeply remorseful. She also stated that she was ready to resign but was instructed by the chief minister that the fault was not hers. She concluded by praying for everyone’s safety. Meanwhile, the police have registered a case based on the statement of Sadia’s father, Sajid Hussain. The case was filed under Section 322, and three individuals, including Project Manager Asghar Sindhu, Safety In-charge Daniyal, and Site In-charge Ahmed Nawaz, have been named. Sajid Hussain claimed that his son-in-law had informed him that Saadia and her child had fallen into the sewerage line. The complaint also stated that the suspects had left the manhole open, which led to the tragedy. The police have arrested all three named individuals in connection with the incident.