Pattoki: Young man jumps into manhole to save elderly woman, both die

A 60-year-old woman fell into an uncovered manhole in Pattoki, and a 20-year-old man who attempted to rescue her also died. The incident sparked outrage among locals, who took to the streets and blocked GT Road in protest of the administration's negligence.

The protesters said that lids over a dozen manholes in the town were missing, and the local administration was doing nothing about it.

Police said the incident occurred when a 60-year-old Zainab fell into the open manhole. Two passersby, identified as Kashif and Asif, both of whom were the same age, 20, jumped in to rescue her.

The rescue team recovered the body of the woman, Zainab. Two youths, Kashif and Asif, were found unconscious. Kashif died during treatment at the THQ hospital, while Asif was referred to Lahore due to his critical condition.

Following the incident, residents and relatives of the victims, alleging negligence, ransacked the hospital and then staged a demonstration.

The protesters blocked the Multan Road near the Mallanwala bypass; however, a heavy contingent of police dispersed the protesters and restored traffic on the road. 

Read: Mayor Karachi launches helpline to report open manholes

A month ago, a similar incident happened in Karachi where an 8-year-old, Ibad Asad, died after falling into an open manhole in Shah Faisal Colony. 

After offering funeral prayers of the deceased, JI MPA strongly criticised the city mayor, held him responsible for the sad incident and demanded his immediate resignation. He pointed out the incompetence of the administration, saying that funds were not released to the UC chairmen to address such issues.

The sewers were neither covered, nor there was a proper sewage system in the town, resulting in a minor child losing his life.