Manhole Cover Thefts Plague Impoverished Pakistan; Maryam Nawaz Vows 10-Year Jail Term

• Maryam Nawaz, Chief Minister of Punjab, announced strict laws against manhole cover theft, with penalties up to 10 years imprisonment.
• The decision follows tragic incidents, including a woman and child dying after falling into an open sewer near Data Darbar in Lahore's Bhati Gate.
• Thieves target the heavy iron rings in manhole covers, weighing up to 30 kg, for their scrap value, selling them to factories and scrap markets.
• Organized gangs are believed to be behind the thefts, turning manholes into death traps across Pakistan.
• The government plans to fine institutions involved in the illicit trade up to ten crore rupees and form special police teams to monitor the situation.