Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has announced strict legislation to curb the theft and illegal trade of manhole covers across the province following recent fatal accidents.
She said the proposed law would impose prison sentences ranging from one to ten years on individuals involved in stealing, buying, or selling stolen manhole covers.
In cases where uncovered drains lead to loss of life, heavy fines amounting to millions of rupees will also be imposed.
The move follows a tragic incident near Lahore’s Bhati Gate, close to Data Darbar, where a woman and her 10-month-old child fell into an open sewer line and later died despite rescue efforts.
In a separate incident in Sargodha, a child who fell into a sewer drain was rescued in time.
The provincial government says the new law aims to prevent such accidents and ensure public safety by strictly punishing those responsible for removing or trading stolen covers.
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