Workers Sent Into Death

August 23, 2026

The deaths of two WASA workers while cleaning a sewer in Multan are not simply an unfortunate accident. They are a serious failure of workplace safety and public responsibility.

The two workers reportedly suffocated while cleaning a sewer near BCG Chowk. According to rescue officials, they lost consciousness because of a lack of oxygen and could not escape. Their bodies were later recovered by local residents.

The most disturbing part of the incident is the reported absence of proper protective equipment.

Sewer cleaning is extremely dangerous. Such workers can face poisonous gases, lack of oxygen, sudden flooding and other risks. Sending anyone into a sewer without proper equipment, safety checks and emergency support is simply unacceptable.

These workers are among the most vulnerable members of society. They perform difficult and essential work that most people would not want to do themselves. They keep our cities functioning, yet their lives are often treated as if they are cheap and replaceable. This culture must end.

Poor workers should not be sent into the mouth of death simply because they have little power to demand better protection. Poverty must never become a reason for accepting unsafe working conditions.

The authorities must investigate this incident fully. The question is not only how the workers died, but who allowed them to enter the sewer without adequate protection.

If safety rules were ignored, those responsible should face strict action. An investigation that produces only another report will serve no purpose. There must be accountability.

WASA and other agencies responsible for sanitation work should immediately review their safety procedures. Workers entering sewers must have proper protective clothing, breathing equipment, gas detection systems, communication devices, supervision and emergency rescue arrangements.

There should also be regular safety training. No worker should be allowed to enter a dangerous sewer without confirmation that the area is safe.

This is not just about WASA or Multan. Similar risks exist across Pakistan, where sanitation workers are often exposed to dangerous conditions with inadequate protection.

A civilised society cannot accept a system in which the poorest workers carry the greatest risks.