CM Maryam orders arrests over mother, infant daughter's deaths in Lahore manhole

Punjab CM briefed on rescue operation, summons police, WASA and other officials for full impartial fact-finding report

LAHORE:

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Thursday ordered the arrest of a Traffic Engineering and Planning Agency (TIPA) project director, manager, and a consultant over the deaths of a woman and her infant daughter, who fell into an open manhole near Lahore's Bhatti Gate.

The bodies of the 24-year-old woman and her 10-month-old daughter were recovered after an extended rescue operation, officials said earlier today.

The chief minister held briefings on the rescue operation, receiving real-time updates on every aspect of the case. She summoned all officials involved in the operation, including police, Rescue 1122, Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA), and the district administration, to present a comprehensive and impartial fact-finding report.

وزیراعلی پنجاب مریم نواز شریف ائیرپورٹ لاونج میں خصوصی اجلاس سے خطاب کررہی ہیں https://t.co/DGCTetPMCB

— PMLN (@pmln_org) January 29, 2026

CM Maryam warned that strict action would be taken against all officials and agencies that provided conflicting or inaccurate information during the operation. She stressed that those responsible must be arrested and presented before the authorities, and that no one should be allowed to evade accountability.

She further directed that Rs10 million be paid to the victim’s family, to be recovered from the relevant contractor. She instructed Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr Usman Anwar to submit a compliance report following the arrests and ordered the dismissal of the area’s WASA in-charge.

According to police and rescue authorities, Sadia and her infant daughter Rida Fatima fell into an uncovered manhole near Data Darbar where development work was reportedly under way. The incident was reported on Wednesday evening at around 7:30pm, prompting an immediate rescue response.

Rescue 1122 launched a search operation involving 10 emergency vehicles and 25 rescue workers and officers. The operation continued overnight as teams tracked the flow of the sewerage system along Outfall Road.

Lahore Deputy IGP (Operations) Faisal Kamran told The Express Tribune that Sadia’s body was recovered first from the sewerage system near Outfall Road, approximately three kilometres from the manhole. He said the strong sewage flow had carried the body a considerable distance from the incident site.

Police and rescue authorities said the recovery locations confirmed that the sewerage flow was intense enough to transport the bodies far from the point of the fall. Rescue officials said the infant’s body was found after a 16-hour-long operation that continued through the night.

DIG Kamran said that a high-level committee was constituted to probe the incident and will submit its findings shortly. He added that heads of all concerned authorities were present on the ground inspecting the rescue and recovery process on the directives of CM Maryam.

He also confirmed that all three detained individuals, including Sadia’s husband, had been released after investigations found no evidence of foul play.

According to a notification issued today, the additional chief secretary will serve as the committee’s convener, with the services and general administration additional secretary, communication and works secretary, and an additional IGP as members. The committee was directed to submit its report within 24 hours.

Following the incident, Bhatti Gate police registered a case under Section 322 (manslaughter) of the Pakistan Penal Code on the complaint of Sajid Hussain, the father of the deceased woman and a resident of Khanewal.

The first information report named TIPA Project Manager Asghar Sandhu, Safety In-charge Daniyal Shamil and Site In-charge Ahmed Nawaz, holding them responsible for alleged criminal negligence. The complainant accused the officials of leaving the manhole uncovered, which he said directly led to the deaths.

The case initially triggered controversy after conflicting statements emerged, with some officials questioning whether bodies could travel through the sewerage system. Confusion intensified when a Punjab government spokesperson prematurely termed the incident “fake”, a statement later contradicted by rescue findings.

Scepticism further grew when family members accused Sadia’s husband of foul play, citing strained marital relations. Police detained the husband and others for questioning; however, investigators later stated that forensic evidence, CCTV footage and rescue operation findings supported the conclusion that the deaths were accidental.