KARACHI — Public outrage escalated on Tuesday as political parties, lawyers, civil society groups and celebrities demanded accountability for the death of three-year-old Ibrahim, who drowned after falling into an uncovered manhole near Nipa in Gulshan-i-Iqbal. The tragedy has triggered citywide protests, legal petitions and a growing chorus demanding the resignation of Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab.
Ibrahim fell into the open manhole on Sunday evening outside a departmental store. His body was recovered after a gruelling 15-hour rescue operation. Shockingly, by Tuesday evening, both the manhole and the trench dug during the search remained open, posing continued danger to the public.
Protests erupted across Karachi as Jamaat-i-Islami (JI), Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) and the Karachi Restoration Movement (KRM) condemned what they called criminal negligence by municipal authorities. JI staged a demonstration near Nipa, with party leaders accusing the Sindh government and the mayor of failing the city. Opposition leader in the City Council, Advocate Saifuddin, demanded that those responsible be nominated in an FIR.
Pleas for FIR against mayor, KWSC, Gulshan town chairman and judicial inquiry land in courts. https://t.co/W1mLEWZtXL
— Dawn.com (@dawn_com) December 3, 2025
PTI leaders, during a visit to the site, pointed out that the manhole was still uncovered and urged the provincial government to secure all exposed gutters. Meanwhile, KRM leaders held a press conference outside the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) office, declaring that as the “custodian and father of the city,” the mayor must be held accountable. They announced continuous protest camps until a criminal case is lodged and the mayor steps down.
Legal action is also gaining momentum. Advocate Sheikh Saqib Ahmed filed an application in a sessions court under Section 22-A of the Criminal Procedure Code after police refused to register an FIR under Section 322 (qatl-e-bis-sabab). He noted that this was not an isolated incident, stating that at least 23 people have died in Karachi in 2025 due to falling into open manholes. Separately, petitioner Gulzar Nigar submitted a petition to the Sindh High Court seeking a judicial inquiry and directives for citywide safety measures, including a comprehensive hazard prevention framework.
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On social media, grief and fury spread rapidly. Many users described Ibrahim’s death as the result of systemic collapse rather than an accident. Actors Mahira Khan, Sajal Ali and Adnan Siddiqui condemned the “unimaginable apathy” and “failed system” that allowed the tragedy, while rapper Talha Yunus castigated government incompetence. Veteran actor Naumaan Ijaz criticised misplaced priorities, noting that millions were spent on cameras for e-challans while manhole covers remained missing.
The incident has reignited debate over Karachi’s deteriorating civic infrastructure and the urgent need for accountability — a demand now echoing loudly across the city.
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