Pakistan plans ‘Gatar law’: 10 years’ jail, PKR 50 lakh fine for ‘dhakkan chori’ as CM Maryam Nawaz rues 'subah lagate hain, raat tak gayab'

In a video that has gone viral, Pakistan Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has warned that anyone stealing, buying, or selling manhole covers will face strict punishment. Lamanting about the problem, she said 'ham subh laga ke jate hain, sham tak gayab ho jata hai (We fix manhole cover in morning, till night it's gone). From Lahore to smaller cities, uncovered drains have led to deaths, forced political attention, and prompted the Punjab government to announce tough new jail terms and heavy fines.

Why Pakistan Punjab announced Gatar Law

The immediate trigger was a tragic incident near Data Darbar at Bhati Gate in Lahore, where a woman and her 10-month-old baby fell into an open sewer and died despite rescue efforts. In another incident in Sargodha, a child fell into an uncovered drain but survived after being pulled out in time. These cases brought the issue into sharp focus and pushed the government to act.

Officials have now decided that if a death occurs due to an open manhole, those responsible will face not just prison but also heavy financial penalties running into millions of rupees.

What warning has been issued?

Maryam Nawaz has publicly linked the crisis to deeper governance failures and issued a blunt warning from her office. The statement, circulated widely, reads exactly as follows: "Anyone who steals, sells, or buys manhole covers will face 1 to 10 years in prison& of it results in someone’s death, the punishment will be 10 years’ imprisonment along with a fine of up to Rs 50 lakh rupees. "

Why are people stealing manhole covers?

As per reports, the theft is driven by money, not mischief. A new manhole cover costs between 8,000 and 12,000 Pakistani rupees. Thieves are after the heavy iron ring attached to the cover, which can weigh up to 30 kg and fetch quick cash in the scrap market.

What started as small-time theft has now grown into an organised operation. Government have acknowledged the role of gangs that move stolen covers and iron parts through factories, scrap dealers, and hardware markets.

The next phase of the response targets the buyers. According to a December 2025 report by Dawn News, authorities are considering fines of up to 100 million rupees for institutions found involved in the illegal trade. Scrap dealers and factories are under scrutiny as the government prepares a wider crackdown.

Special police teams will monitor vulnerable areas, while water and sewerage agencies have been told to step up surveillance and report missing covers immediately. The message from the Punjab government is stark: ignoring open drains is no longer an option, and stealing a manhole cover could now mean spending a decade behind bars.