RAHIM YAR KHAN: A minor girl died after falling into a manhole on Friday night in Islamia Colony.

Two-year-old Malika fell into the manhole while playing in a street. Locals say the lid has been missing for a long time.

District’s sewerage and water supply was handed over to the Water and Sanitation Authority (Wasa) a week ago.

A source in the Municipal Committee told Dawn a tender was floated some time ago for for new sewer covers worth Rs 5 million but nothing happened on the ground.

Deputy Commissioner Khurram Pervez expressed sympathy with the bereaved family and formed a committee to fix responsibility in three days. Administrator MC ADCG Irfan Anwar, Chief Municipal Officer Rana Mehmood Ahmed and Sub- Engineer Kamran were contacted for their version but none of them responded.

Wasa MD for RYK Shoaib Fayyaz told Dawn that it was the responsibility of the municipal committee to place the lids. He said due to financial constraints the agency could not manage these issues. “but in future, Wasa will look after these matters.”

This was third such happening during last two months. Earlier, minor boy was killed after falling into an uncovered manhole in Niazi Colony, while another child was rescued by locals.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz expressed a deep sense of grief and sorrow over the death of Malika.

“Action will be taken against those responsible for the death of the innocent girl,” she was quoted as saying in an official statement. She sought an immediate report from the Bahawalpur commissioner.

Published in Dawn, August 24th, 2025