Karachi | December 01, 2025
A heartbreaking incident in Karachi has once again exposed the alarming state of civic safety in the city. Karachi Boy Falls Into an Open Manhole near Gulshan-e-Iqbal’s NIPA flyover late Sunday night. The name of that little boy was Ibrahim. The tragedy has sparked a wave of anger, deep grief, and renewed questions about the failure of Karachi’s civic administration.

What Happened? (The Accident That Changed a Family Forever)

According to eyewitnesses, Ibrahim was out with his family near a departmental store by the NIPA flyover. Around 10 pm, as the father unlocked his motorcycle to leave, the little boy slipped away, ran a few steps ahead, and fell straight into an open manhole hidden in the darkness.

The nightmare began instantly.

People nearby rushed to help and tried to locate the child, but the drain was deep, filled with fast-moving wastewater, and stretched far across the area.

How Did People Respond? (Residents Stepped In When Authorities Didn’t)

Locals immediately called the relevant departments, rescue teams, and civic authorities, but no official team arrived for hours.

Residents and shopkeepers then took matters into their own hands:

• They hired a crane at their personal expense
• Bought diesel for the machinery
• Began digging the drain themselves
• Contacted rescue volunteers for help

Teams from Edhi and Chhipa also reached the spot, but they did not have the heavy technical equipment needed to locate a child trapped in a massive stormwater drain.

Despite the community’s desperate efforts, the authorities remained missing.

‘Rescue Was Delayed’ (Nearly 12 Hours Without Government Response)

By midnight, frustration and grief grew into anger. Residents blocked the main road near the NIPA flyover as a protest, demanding immediate action.

Even after continuous pleas:

• No machinery arrived at night
• No officials inspected the site
• No technical team was deployed

According to residents, the government rescue operation started around 10 am the next day, nearly 12 hours after the child fell in.

Eventually, after long hours of searching, Ibrahim’s body was found 1.5 kilometres downstream, about 14 hours after the accident.

Why Was the Manhole Open? (A Question No One Wants to Answer)

The uncovered manhole was located on a stormwater drain that now acts as a sewage line, carrying wastewater from Gulistan-e-Jauhar toward Gulshan-e-Iqbal and then into the Lyari River.

Residents living in the area confirmed that:

• The manhole had been without a lid for several days
• Multiple complaints were made
• No action was taken

This is not a single incident; in many parts of Karachi, open manholes have become a frighteningly common sight.

After the Rescue: More Danger Still Exists (Open Drains & Digging Sites Left Uncovered)

During the search operation, authorities dug up:

• Large sections of the drainage channel
• Cemented sewerage lines
• Multiple connecting manholes
• Several land patches around the drain

However, after the search ended, these digging zones were left open and uncovered.

Even today:

• Deep pits remain exposed
• Open manholes are still without covers
• Broken sewerage lines lie visible
• No warning tapes, barriers, or safety signs exist

Residents now fear that another tragedy could happen at any time.

Many parents in the area say they no longer allow their children to play outside.

Who Was Ibrahim?

Ibrahim was the only child of his parents. The loss has completely shattered his family and the community around them. His grandfather confirmed that the family lives in Shah Faisal No. 5.

His funeral prayers were offered after Isha, attended by relatives, neighbours, community members, and even lawmakers.

But condolences can never fill the void left behind.

What Did Lawmakers Say? (Political Responses Begin)

The tragedy immediately triggered heated discussions in the Sindh Assembly.

• JI MPA Muhammad Farooq held both the city administration and MQM-P responsible and demanded that Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab resign.

• MQM-P MPA Taha Ahmed criticized the government for repeatedly promising action but failing to identify and punish negligent officials.

• Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon called the incident a result of “criminal negligence” and offered condolences.

However, residents say this blame game happens after every such tragedy, and real action remains missing.

What Did Karachi’s Mayor (Murtaza Wahab) Say?

Mayor Murtaza Wahab expressed sympathy with the grieving parents and ordered an inquiry.

“I offer my condolences and stand with the parents at this difficult time,” he said, while also claiming political opponents were “playing politics” over the incident.

For many Karachi residents, these words felt far from enough.

Open Manholes: A Silent Threat Across Karachi

This is not an isolated case. Verified reports show that in the last two years alone:

• Dozens of citizens — including children — have been injured after falling into open drains
• Several manholes remain uncovered in residential areas, markets, and near schools.
• Many drainage lids are stolen and never replaced
• Rainwater often hides deep, open holes, creating deadly traps

These manholes expose children, elderly people, motorcyclists, and pedestrians to deadly risks every single day.

Verified Insights PK: What This Incident Reveals About Life in Karachi

According to Verified Insights PK, this tragic incident paints a painful but accurate picture of daily life in Karachi:

• Karachiites live in constant fear of civic negligence
• Basic safety infrastructure is missing in many neighbourhoods
• People often rely on themselves rather than the government in emergencies
• Public spaces remain unsafe due to open manholes, broken roads, and poor lighting
• Local communities frequently fund rescue efforts because official systems fail
• Children face the highest risk due to unprotected drains and dug-out streets

The city’s residents believe that unless strict action is taken, Karachi will continue to remain unsafe, especially for its children.

Public Anger: “How Many More Lives Will It Take?”

Social media has erupted with messages demanding justice:

• “Close the manholes now.”
• “Make the city safe for our children.”
• “Why do we have to beg every time for basic safety?”

Videos of the rescue attempt, the open manhole, and the child’s funeral have gone viral.

Many people are questioning:

• Why does the city lack emergency response systems?
• Why are open drains a routine issue?
• Why has no responsible official been suspended?

Final Thoughts

Ibrahim’s death is not just an accident; it is a reminder of the deep-rooted administrative failures in Karachi.

A city of over 20 million people cannot afford such avoidable tragedies.
Open manholes, broken sewerage lines, and abandoned digging sites are not just an inconvenience; they are deadly threats.

Unless real reforms are made:

• More families will suffer
• More children will be at risk
• More tragedies will keep repeating

Karachi deserves better!
Its people deserve better!
And Ibrahim deserves justice!