Suthra Punjab truck kills student crossing Lahore road

A garbage truck of the Suthra Punjab Authority hit two students crossing Shalimar Link Road in Lahore on Monday afternoon, killing one of them and injuring the other, police said. Samaa television also reported the death of the 19-year-old woman in the crash.

Faryal, 19, died at the scene near Mughalpura Chowk, under the flyover. Shanzay, 22, was taken to a nearby hospital with severe injuries to her legs and body. Doctors said her condition is out of danger.

Eyewitnesses told Minute Mirror that the two were crossing the road when a white Hino dumper carrying the Suthra Punjab logo hit them at speed. In an initial statement from her hospital bed, Shanzay said the two were standing at the roadside waiting for traffic to stop when the truck came at high speed and crushed them.

The driver, Rafaqat Ali, tried to flee but people gathered at the spot stopped him. Station House Officer Mughalpura Irfan Sakhawat responded to a call on the police helpline 15 and arrested him at the scene. The truck was impounded.

Superintendent of Police Civil Lines said a case had been registered and an investigation begun. The case was filed under sections covering over-speeding and negligence, and the driver was to be produced in court on Tuesday for physical remand.

DIG Operations Lahore Faisal Kamran said action against the driver found guilty of negligence would be ensured in accordance with the law.

Traffic Police sector incharge Irfan Sheikh called the incident sheer negligence and said the force had already written to the Suthra Punjab Authority asking it to train its drivers and order them to slow down in congested areas. No serious step was taken, he said. The Chief Traffic Officer Lahore had also written to the authority earlier about road safety measures.

Rescue 1122 said Faryal died at the spot and her body was shifted to a mortuary. An initial medical report gave the cause as severe injuries to the head and body. The hospital administration said Shanzay is receiving full medical assistance.

The family told Minute Mirror that Faryal was returning from college. They demanded action against those at the Suthra Punjab Authority who leave untrained drivers on the city's roads. "Our daughter fell prey to the garbage truck, we want justice," her parents said.

The authority has issued no formal statement on the crash. Sources said it has started an internal inquiry. No statement has come from Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif, who oversees the Suthra Punjab programme and has given it a 15-day ultimatum. Sources said she has taken notice of the incident.

According to traffic police figures, 10 people died in four fatal accidents involving Suthra Punjab and Lahore Waste Management Company vehicles in 2025-26. An 18-month-old girl was killed in a similar crash on Ferozepur Road a few days ago.