RAWALPINDI: The divisional administration has no data on uncovered manholes, prompting the divisional commissioner, following a recent incident in Lahore, to direct the deputy commissioners of Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Murree and Jhelum to form teams and submit reports within 24 hours.

During a meeting held at the commissioner’s office, Rawalpindi Commissioner Amir Khattak directed that teams be constituted at the union council level to conduct a complete survey of their respective areas and submit a detailed report within the next 24 hours.

The meeting was attended in person by Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) Managing Director Saleem Ashraf, Parks and Horticultural Authority Director General Ahmed Hassan Ranjha, the Director Health, the Chief Officer Rawalpindi Metropolitan Corporation (RMC) and other concerned officials, while deputy commissioners of Murree, Attock, Chakwal and Jhelum participated via video link.

The meeting was informed that there are 36,000 Wasa manholes in Rawalpindi city, while only 40 per cent of the garrison city has a sewerage system.

Wasa officials stated that most manholes are covered and that the agency has procured manhole covers.

Based on these reports, the commissioner said that strict measures should be taken to ensure that no manhole remains uncovered at any location.

He noted that manhole covers and cleanliness prominently feature in the Punjab Chief Minister’s Performance Monitoring Indicators, as these issues are directly linked to public safety.

“Therefore, no negligence in this regard will be tolerated. He further urged the public, in the interest of safety, to immediately report any open or damaged manholes in their surroundings to the relevant administrative office,” he said.

The commissioner also instructed that all public complaints regarding manhole covers and cleanliness must be addressed promptly.

Commissioner Rawalpindi further emphasised that public safety must be given top priority at project sites and that all necessary safety measures should be ensured.

He said that machinery present at sites or ongoing work could pose risks to passersby, therefore, such areas must be fully secured and warning signboards prominently installed.

He directed deputy commissioners to ensure cleanliness and administrative measures in their respective districts.

Published in Dawn, January 31st, 2026