‘This is Murder’: CM Maryam orders arrests, firings after Bhatti Gate accident

2026-01-29 - 17:11

LAHORE – Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz grilled Lahore’s civil administration, declaring the deaths of a woman and her young daughter who fell into an open sewer ‘no different from murder’, as shocking details of systemic negligence, official denial, and institutional cover-ups emerged during a high-level emergency meeting. کمشنر لاہور، ڈی سی لاہور آپ مجھے جواب دیں، ڈی جی ایل ڈی اے آپ مجھے اس بات کا جواب دیں، ایم ڈی واسا آپ بھی مجھے اس بات کا جواب دیں، دس ڈیپارٹمنٹس یہاں بیٹھے ہوئے ہیں جواب ایک کے پاس بھی نہیں ہے۔اصولاً کمشنر لاہور، ڈی سی لاہور ، ڈی جی ایل ڈی اے کو اور خاص طور پر اسسٹنٹ کمشنر لاہور... pic.twitter.com/W7xXpNd8un — Sabir Mehmood Hashmi (@SabirMehmood26) January 29, 2026 In an emotional address, Maryam Nawaz revealed that the woman and her child fell into an open sewer line, were swept three kilometers through a drain, while authorities denied the incident altogether. Adding insult to tragedy, she said the husband and family members were treated like criminals, rounded up and taken to a police station as if they were thieves and robbers, instead of being helped. “This level of negligence is not just criminal — even calling it criminal negligence is an understatement,” the Chief Minister said, visibly distressed. “I cannot describe what my heart is going through right now.” DCs on Notice, Top Officials Face Punishment Maryam Nawaz announced the immediate removal of the Deputy Commissioner, warning that anywhere an open sewer or manhole is found, the concerned DC will be dismissed without exception. She directly summoned and held accountable Commissioner Lahore, M.D WASA, and DG LDAm, saying “All of them deserve punishment,” she said. Taking unprecedented action, the Chief Minister ordered the immediate arrest of Project Director (TEPA), Project Manager, Safety In-charge, and Consultant. She demanded to know why the Project Director’s name appeared in records but the Project Manager’s did not, stating that at least six officials involved in criminal negligence have already been identified. “Half a dozen people were in charge, and this is the work they delivered,” she lamented. CM declared the contractor, NESPAK supervisor, TEPA, and LDA guilty, adding that the Commissioner Lahore, DC, Assistant Commissioner, and WASA are equally responsible. Maryam Nawaz exposed what she described as a deliberate attempt to erase the incident, saying officials tried to make it appear as if the woman never fell at all. She clarified that Azma Bukhari had no role in misinformation, and that the information shared with her was exactly what was received by the Chief Minister herself. During a briefing on the Bhati Gate incident, officials admitted extreme negligence at the construction site the site was not secured, and there was no lighting arrangements were in place. The area was being illegally used as a rickshaw parking lot, with tokens issued. The site was merely covered with panaflex banners while Assistant Commissioner had never visited the site. “If an Assistant Commissioner never inspects a construction site, what kind of Assistant Commissioner is he?” Maryam Nawaz asked angrily. She was told that at the time of the accidentc onstruction work was ongoing. Due to crowd noise, no one heard the woman fall. The ambulance arrived four minutes later Supervisors, consultants, and engineers present on site were responsible. CM reiterated that clear instructions are issued in every meeting that no manhole or sewer cover must remain open, yet those orders were blatantly ignored. Illegal parking went unchecked, safety protocols were abandoned, and responsibility was evaded at every level. Lahore sewage line incident: Women’s body found, search for missing baby underway