Court moved for FIR against Karachi mayor, others over toddler's death in manhole

A Karachi citizen on Tuesday approached a sessions court seeking registration of a criminal case against Mayor Murtaza Wahab and other officials over the death of three-year-old Ibrahim, who died after falling into an open manhole.

Advocate Sheikh Saqib Ahmed filed an application, stating that the child died after falling into an open manhole near Nipa. He requested the court to order police to register a case against Mayor of Karachi Murtaza Wahab and the Chairman of Gulshan-e-Iqbal Town, holding them responsible for the fatal incident.

The family of the deceased boy has accused local municipal and district authorities of negligence. They alleged that the officials named in the application failed to perform their duties, and rescue teams did not arrive on time.

The family claimed that they had to spend Rs15,000 to hire a private team to search for the child.

“The public continues to suffer due to an incompetent and corrupt system,” the applicant argued, urging the court to direct police to register a case against the nominated officials.

The application for lodging the FIR was filed by Advocate Sheikh Saqib Ahmed, who stated that even hours after the incident, relevant departments showed no urgency or responsibility.

The Karachi Mayor, the Gulshan-e-Iqbal Town Chairman, an XEN, and the Project Director have been named as respondents in the petition