Karachi, Pakistan – Public outrage continues to swell after the heartbreaking death of a three-year-old boy, who drowned in an open manhole in Gulshan-i-Iqbal — a tragedy many residents say could have been prevented with basic civic responsibility and timely action.
The incident has shaken Karachi to its core. The child slipped into the uncovered manhole while playing near his home, and despite frantic efforts by neighbours and rescue volunteers, his body was recovered only after more than 15 agonizing hours. Citizens claim the rescue operation was delayed and poorly coordinated, leaving desperate families and community members to take the lead where authorities failed.
What has intensified the anger, however, is the perceived insensitivity from Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab. His response, which many interpreted as dismissive and lacking empathy, has triggered widespread condemnation. Social media platforms, community forums, and civic activists have accused the mayor of showing indifference at a time when the city needed acknowledgment, accountability, and compassion.
Residents argue that this tragedy reflects the larger crisis Karachi has been battling for years — broken infrastructure, unsafe streets, uncovered drains, and a growing sense of abandonment by those in power. For many, the child’s death is not an isolated incident but a painful symbol of systemic neglect.
Civic groups are now demanding immediate reforms: secure all manholes, overhaul drainage systems, strengthen municipal vigilance, and establish faster emergency response mechanisms. Citizens insist that leadership must not only fix the roads but also rebuild trust — something that requires both action and empathy.
As grief turns into collective frustration, one sentiment echoes across the city: Karachi deserves leadership that listens, cares, and acts before another preventable tragedy steals another young life.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.