August 25, 2025
By Iqra Manzoor
LAHORE
The owner and staff of a restaurant were arrested by the Lahore police after two girls who ate from the place later died due to poisoning. An FIR had been registered under Sections 322 (relates to causing death without intention but due to a wrongful act (negligence or mistake)), 272 (Adulteration of Food or Drink), and 273 (Sale of noxious food or drink) of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) on the complaint of Muhammad Azeem, who alleged that his two minor daughters died after eating food from a restaurant located on PIA Road.
Father alleges toxic food led to daughters’ death
According to the FIR, Azeem brought ‘loaded fries with pink sauce’ from the restaurant on the night between August 15 and 16 for his three children. After consuming the food, the children went to sleep. The next morning, they woke up and began vomiting.
“I immediately rushed them to Sheikh Zayed Hospital, where they were treated and I returned home after my children were given some injections ,” Azeem told Voicepk. “The children remained bedridden, weak, and unwell the next day and the condition of my daughters worsened again on Monday morning, and I took them back to the hospital. They were admitted, but one of my daughters passed away on August 18 at Sheikh Zayed Hospital, while the other, who had been shifted to the Children’s Hospital Lahore, died on August 19.”
Severe organ damage and lack of ICU facilities
After his younger daughter passed away, Azeem said doctors updated him about the elder child’s critical condition. “The hospital staff told me there was kidney and liver damage, a heart issue had developed, and there was severe acidity,” he said, adding that doctors had warned him of severe complications.
He further claimed that doctors at the Children’s Hospital informed him that the facility lacked a medical ICU. “I had to arrange an ICU through personal contacts. There was also medical negligence by the hospital staff,” he alleged.
Medical reports cite unknown poison
The complainant stated that his son, who also consumed the food, survived. However, his two daughters, Tehreem (6) and Irha (4), did not. Medical reports provided by Azeem cite ‘septic shock caused by an unknown poison’ as the cause of death.
Police allegedly pressured father to nominate the accused
Azeem also accused the police of pressuring him to nominate anyone from the restaurant. “Police have been insisting that I name someone from the staff or anyone from the restaurant so they can proceed with the investigation. But I told them I don’t know whether it was the cook, the manager, owner or someone else. It is their job to investigate,” he said.
He added that the police have taken the restaurant staff into custody, except for the owner.
“My elder daughter Tehreem was very close to me. She was talking to me when I first took her to the hospital,” he added.
Police confirm investigation and food sample testing
Station House Officer (SHO) of Sattukatla Police told Voicepk that the family approached the police on August 23, after the burial of the children.
“We registered their complaint and lodged an FIR. No autopsy was conducted as the family came to us after the burial. The restaurant staff is under investigation, and the probe is underway,” the SHO said.
Reportedly, on the orders of DIG Operations Faisal Kamran, police registered the case at Sattukatla Police Station on Azeem’s complaint. The hotel owner and kitchen staff have been arrested, and an investigation is ongoing. DIG Kamran said the incident is being investigated from all angles and assured that those responsible would be brought to justice.
The Incharge Investigation of Sattukatla Police Station, Afzal Sandhu also told Voicepk, “The incident happened on the 18th and 19th and did not get reported on time. We have taken into custody the restaurant staff, including the manager. The samples of food items from the restaurant have also been checked for further investigation.”