Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has issued strict orders following the tragic death of a three-year-old girl in Faisalabad who fell into an open manhole, warning that owners and administrators of private housing societies will face arrest if any citizen is harmed due to uncovered or improperly secured manholes.
The CM made it clear that negligence in public safety will no longer be tolerated, and that all housing society owners and management bodies must take their responsibilities seriously to prevent such accidents from happening again.
She directed divisional commissioners to introduce a monthly affidavit system, under which housing societies will be required to officially confirm in writing that all manholes within their areas are properly covered, secured and safe for public use. Widespread notices will also be issued across Punjab to ensure full compliance with safety regulations and to remind housing authorities of their legal and moral duties toward residents.
In a separate meeting on ongoing development projects, CM Maryam Nawaz stressed that government officials must carry out active field inspections rather than relying only on office-based reports. She made it clear that on-ground monitoring is essential to ensure transparency, quality work and timely completion of public projects across the province.
She also approved several welfare initiatives to be funded through district-level revenues, aimed at improving local services and supporting community development projects in different parts of Punjab.
