Opposition lawmakers in Sindh on Monday demanded the resignation of Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab after a three-year-old boy died upon falling into an open manhole near the Nipa flyover — a tragedy that triggered widespread anger, protests, and renewed scrutiny of the city’s civic failures.
The child, identified as Ibrahim, slipped into an uncovered manhole outside a departmental store while accompanying his family. Rescue workers recovered his body nearly 14 hours later from a drainage line almost one kilometre away. The family said the toddler had run ahead during a shopping trip before suddenly disappearing into the opening.
Residents blame authorities as rescue delays spark outrage
Locals reported making more than 40 calls and emails to various departments throughout the night, claiming only one BRT engineer arrived while municipal agencies traded blame. Residents later held demonstrations at Nipa Chowrangi, burning tyres and warning that the extensive digging during the search had created new hazards along the 1.5-kilometre stretch.
Opposition holds city administration responsible
During the Sindh Assembly session, Jamaat-e-Islami MPA Muhammad Farooq said the Karachi mayor should step down, accusing the city government and the MQM-P of presiding over “civic collapse.” Independent MPA Rehan Bandukda said the parents endured unbearable anguish, criticising the absence of basic rescue machinery. He urged lawmakers to introduce a law allowing the dismissal of officials responsible for negligence.
MQM-P MPA Taha Ahmed questioned repeated official promises of action, asking why parents had to arrange equipment themselves despite the presence of public representatives. He said such deaths continue because no one is ever held truly accountable.
Sindh government vows action, calls for caution against politicisation
Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon expressed condolences, saying rescue efforts began within 15 to 30 minutes of the incident and that any officer found guilty of negligence would face strict consequences. “If the responsibility lies with me, I too should be punished,” he said, adding that political point-scoring often overshadows the value of human life.
He confirmed that the chief minister had taken notice and reiterated that the provincial government would not spare any official whose negligence contributed to the tragedy.
The Karachi City Council session also saw heated protests, with opposition members chanting slogans against the mayor.
Mayor orders inquiry, warns against political exploitation
Separately, Mayor Wahab ordered a formal inquiry while offering condolences to the family. He said CCTV footage was being collected and that the Karachi Water & Sewerage Corporation (KWSC) had been instructed to determine why machinery was unavailable that night. “If any officer is found negligent, action will be taken,” he stated.
Wahab added that the manhole outside the store had no cover and that no prior complaint had been received from the area. He criticised political rivals for exploiting the tragedy, insisting his focus was on assisting the family and ensuring transparency in the investigation.
Sindh government spokesperson Sadia Javed confirmed that an inquiry was underway to identify why the manhole cover was missing, promising strict action against those responsible.
