C&W Minister orders zero tolerance on safety lapses at construction sites

LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 7th Apr, 2026) Punjab Minister for Communication and Works (C&W) Malik Sohaib Ahmed Bharth on Tuesday chaired a high-level review meeting on the implementation of Safety SOPs in ongoing public building projects.

The two-hour session reviewed province-wide compliance mechanisms, with SEs and XENs joining via video link, while senior officers including the Special Secretary, Additional Secretary, and Chief Engineers attended in person.

The minister said that the protection of human life at construction sites is a non-negotiable responsibility of the department, stressing that any lapse in safety compliance would be treated with zero tolerance.

He directed all field formations to ensure strict enforcement of safety protocols, including proper site barricading, installation of clear warning signboards, provision of mandatory safety kits to workers, and uninterrupted availability of first aid facilities and adequate lighting arrangements at all work sites.

The minister further ordered a complete restriction on unauthorized access to construction areas, warning that weak site management could lead to serious hazards and administrative action. He instructed officers to submit formal compliance certificates confirming the implementation of Safety SOPs across all ongoing projects, adding that monitoring mechanisms must be strengthened at every level.

Reiterating the Chief Minister Punjab’s focus on worker safety and accountability, Malik Sohaib Ahmed Bharth emphasized that negligence in safety standards would not be tolerated and strict disciplinary action would be initiated against responsible officials. He also announced that specialized training sessions on construction safety and risk management will soon be conducted to enhance field-level preparedness and compliance.