In the aftermath of the tragic death of three-year-old Ibrahim, who fell into an open manhole near Nipa Chowrangi in Karachi, his grandfather, Mahmoodul Hassan, has placed the responsibility squarely on all concerned agencies and elected officials chosen by the public.
Speaking to the media while grieving, Mr. Mahmoodul Hassan stated with palpable sorrow: “The responsibility for this incident lies with the people who were put forward through elections. All concerned institutions are responsible for this tragedy.” He expressed a heart-wrenching wish that, if given the capability by God, he would personally install manhole covers across all of Karachi.
Questions Over Response:
Mr. Hassan also voiced frustration with the disorganized recovery efforts. He mentioned that the family did not even know which department or agency was ultimately responsible for retrieving the child’s body—a clear indictment of the lack of coordinated action by municipal authorities following the devastating incident.
Reaction to Mayor’s Visit:
Regarding the visit of Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, the grandfather confirmed that the Mayor assured the family of strict action against those responsible. “We were informed that action has been taken against the concerned officers; some have been suspended,” he said, acknowledging satisfaction with the Mayor’s commitment.
However, Mr. Hassan was resolute in his demand, stating that the primary focus must be on preventing any future recurrence of such an incident. He urged the Mayor to prioritize the deteriorating civic conditions of Karachi, which led to this catastrophe.
The tragic event occurred when three-year-old Ibrahim stepped onto an open manhole, which was temporarily covered only by cardboard. The cardboard collapsed under his weight, causing him to fall. His body was found approximately 14 hours later, one kilometer away in a nearby drain.
