The investigation into the Bhatti Gate Tragedy has intensified, now including government officials accused of negligence alongside the private firm managing the project.
Following strong intervention by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, authorities halted work by SMS Design and Engineering System, the company overseeing the site. Officials said the probe aims to identify “incompetent officers” who failed to enforce basic safety measures. Criminal negligence and violations of standard procedures were cited as key causes of the fatal incident.
Police have arrested five suspects, including the company’s safety officers and owners, Usman Yasin and Salman Yasin. A court granted a four-day physical remand for further investigation. Safety officer Muhammad Hanzala and staff members Asghar Ali and Ahmad Nawaz are also under scrutiny.
The post-mortem report, expected between February 2 and 3, is anticipated to accelerate legal proceedings and help establish accountability.
Following the chief minister’s notice, the Bhatti Gate site has been declared a secured zone. Authorities have imposed a strict ban on any work without proper safety arrangements. Modern safety protocols have been introduced to prevent future incidents.
CM Maryam Nawaz emphasized that justice for the victims, including young Saadia and her infant daughter, remains a top priority. She vowed that all responsible parties, whether from the private firm or government offices, will be held accountable.
The Bhatti Gate Tragedy has sparked widespread concern over construction safety standards in Lahore. Experts say the expanded probe could set a precedent for stricter monitoring of public and private projects.
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Authorities continue to investigate the incident thoroughly, highlighting the importance of safety enforcement, proper supervision, and legal accountability in ongoing infrastructure projects.
