Faisalabad, March 25, 2024: Chief Minister of Punjab, Maryam Nawaz, along with PML-N Supremo Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, visited Faisalabad on Monday to extend their condolences to the families of Asif Masih and Shan Masih, two WASA workers who recently lost their lives due to toxic gas inhalation while cleaning a sewerage channel.
During their visit, CM Maryam Nawaz and Muhammad Nawaz Sharif met with the grieving families of the deceased workers. The CM, expressing her sympathies, highlighted the significant contribution of workers to government departments. She announced an upcoming initiative to distribute occupational safety kits to workers to enhance their protection during emergencies.
Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, deeply moved by the tragic incident, emphasized the need for WASA to implement robust safety measures for its workforce. The loss of Shan Mushtaq Masih and Asif Ilyas Masih has raised serious concerns about the working conditions and safety protocols for sanitary workers in Faisalabad.
In a related visit, the CM and her father also went to the home of Asif Ashfaq, a young man from Railway Housing Colony, Samanabad, Faisalabad, who met a tragic end after his throat was cut by a kite string a few days earlier. Maryam Nawaz offered her condolences to Asif's family, addressing the hazardous nature of kite-flying and urging parents to be vigilant in controlling this dangerous pastime.
Following these events, Pastor Ilyas Masih, Chairman of the United Church Council in Rawalpindi, issued a press release requesting IG Punjab Dr. Usman Anwar and other senior police officials to enforce Section 144 against the sale of kites and kite strings. He labeled kite flying as a "bloody game," citing numerous deaths and injuries caused by kite strings. Pastor Masih's statement reflects growing public concern over the safety risks associated with kite flying.
The visits and subsequent developments have cast a spotlight on the safety challenges faced by citizens in various occupations and recreational activities, leading to calls for immediate and effective measures to safeguard lives and promote a safer environment.
