JI organizes a demonstration and demands the resignation of the mayor over the death of a three-year-old child after falling into a sewer
Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab. Photo: Archive
Two separate petitions were filed before the district court and the eastern district sessions judge 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 culvert near Nipa.
In a petition, lawyer Abdul Ahad claimed that the boy, Ibrahim, died after sliding down an uncovered manhole and alleged 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 sewer, but authorities had failed to secure the area. “The grieving family has also blamed the authorities for failing to secure the area despite repeated public complaints,” the petition said.
The document further noted that no official rescue team arrived on time, forcing the family to hire a private search party and spend Rs 15,000 to recover the boy’s body. The petition argued that citizens of Karachi “continue to pay the price for the alleged incompetence and corruption of civic agencies” and asked the court to order the police to register an FIR against the mayor, Gulshan-e-Iqbal city president and other responsible officials.
In a separate statement, lawyer Sheikh Saqib Ahmed also blamed the city’s top civic leaders, saying Ibrahim’s death was due to “culpable negligence” on the part of the mayor and other officials. He asked the court to order registration of a criminal case for negligence resulting in loss of innocent life. The court is expected to review both applications in the coming days.
Meanwhile, a protest was held at Nipa Chowrangi on Tuesday over the death of three-year-old Ibrahim, leading to widespread criticism of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation, the mayor and the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation.
The rally, led by Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Karachi MP Ameer and KMC opposition leader Saifuddin Advocate, condemned the government’s indifference and alleged incompetence of the KMC and KWSC.
Addressing the gathering, advocate Saifuddin said that providing manhole covers is the responsibility of the KMC and the Water Corporation. He demanded the resignation of Mayor Wahab, holding him responsible for the incident.
Protesters carried banners and signs with slogans such as “Mayor Murtaza Wahab resign,” “Don’t turn the city into a cemetery,” and “Cover the sewers or go home.” A banner displayed Ibrahim’s photograph with the words: “From whose hands should I seek my blood?”
Speakers accused the mayor of blaming municipal presidents instead of accepting responsibility. They criticized the government for not acting promptly and noted that while the city was in mourning, the mayor was inaugurating a pool heating system. Saifuddin alleged that only 25 manhole covers had been provided to a union council, even though thousands were needed, and insisted that it is not the responsibility of city or UC presidents to provide the covers from their own budgets.
District East Ameer Naeem Akhtar, Gulshan-e-Iqbal city president Dr Fawad, vice president Ibrahim Siddiqui and other leaders also addressed the protest. They said Karachi’s infrastructure is collapsing, with broken roads, unsafe pedestrian zones and stalled projects. Dr. Fawad highlighted the repeated accidents on the BRT Red Line, calling it a “death trap” and demanding an audit and investigation into the project.
Akhtar condemned the Nipa tragedy as “beyond words” and demanded strict punishment for those responsible. He claimed that despite billions being spent on development, Karachi continues to suffer while projects in other cities progress. He stressed that empowering elected representatives is the only way to solve the city’s problems.
