JI stages demonstration demanding resignation of mayor over three-year death after falling into manhole
Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab. Photo: File
Two separate petitions were filed in the District and Sessions Judge of District East on Tuesday, seeking registration of a criminal case against senior municipal officials, including Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, over the death of a three-year-old boy who fell into a manhole near Nipa.
In a petition, lawyer Abdul Ahad stated that the child, Ibrahim, died after slipping into a lidless manhole and claimed that the negligence of the municipal and district administration directly caused the tragedy. He added that Ibrahim’s family had repeatedly complained about the uncovered manhole, but the authorities failed to secure the area. “The bereaved family has also accused the authorities of not securing the area despite repeated public complaints,” the petition said.
The dossier further noted that no official rescue team arrived on time, forcing the family to hire a private search party and spend Rs 15,000. on recovering the boy’s body. The petition alleged that Karachi’s citizens “continue to pay the price for the alleged incompetence and corruption of civic agencies” and requested the court to order the police to register an FIR against the mayor, Gulshan-e-Iqbal Town chairman and other responsible officials.
In a separate plea, lawyer Sheikh Saqib Ahmed also held the city’s top civic leadership responsible, saying Ibrahim’s death was due to “culpable negligence” on the part of the mayor and other officials. He requested the court to correct the registration of a criminal case for negligence leading to the loss of an innocent life. The court is expected to consider both applications in the coming days.
Meanwhile, a protest was held in Nipa Chowrangi on Tuesday over the death of three-year-old Ibrahim, sparking widespread criticism of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation, the mayor and the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation.
The demonstration, led by Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Karachi Deputy Ameer and KMC Opposition Leader Saifuddin Advocate, condemned the government’s indifference and the alleged incompetence of KMC and KWSC.
Addressing the gathering, Advocate Saifuddin said that it is the responsibility of the KMC and the Water Corporation to provide well covers. He demanded Mayor Wahab’s resignation and held him responsible for the incident.
Protesters carried banners and placards with slogans such as “Resigning Mayor Murtaza Wahab”, “Don’t turn the city into a graveyard” and “Put covers on manholes or go home.” A banner displayed Ibrahim’s picture with the words: “At whose hands shall I seek my blood?”
Speakers accused the mayor of shifting the blame to city leaders instead of taking responsibility. They criticized the government for not acting quickly, noting that while the city was grieving, the mayor was inaugurating a swimming pool heating system. Saifuddin claimed that only 25 manhole covers had been made available to a union council, despite thousands being required, and insisted that it is not the responsibility of city or UC chairmen to provide covers from their own budgets.
District East Ameer Naeem Akhtar, Gulshan-e-Iqbal Town Chairman Dr Fawad, Deputy Chairman Ibrahim Siddiqui and other leaders also addressed the protest. They said Karachi’s infrastructure is collapsing with broken roads, unsafe pedestrian areas and stalled projects. Dr. Fawad highlighted repeated accidents on the BRT Red Line, called it a “death trap” and demanded an audit and investigation of the project.
Akhtar condemned the Nipa tragedy as “beyond words” and demanded strict punishment for those responsible. He stated that despite billions being spent on development, Karachi continues to suffer while projects in other cities progress. He emphasized that empowering elected officials is the only way to solve the city’s problems.
