KARACHI: Three-year-old Ibrahim tragically died on Sunday night after falling into an open manhole near NIPA in Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Karachi. The boy was swept away by a torrent of toxic sewage, and delayed rescue efforts, along with poor coordination between civic agencies, prolonged the search for him.
Read More: Memon, mayor heartbroken after toddler dies in manhole
Residents joined the boy’s parents in protesting until authorities finally began operations to locate the child. Ibrahim’s body was recovered around 15 hours later, almost two kilometres from the manhole he fell into. The incident has sparked widespread outrage and calls for accountability across social and mainstream media.
Just watched the video of a mother helplessly screaming crying for her baby!!! Who the hell is answerable for Karachi in Karachi? Unimaginable apathy.
— Mahira Khan (@TheMahiraKhan) December 1, 2025
View this post on Instagram
Celebrities and public figures expressed grief and anger over the preventable death. Actress Mahira Khan described the situation as “unimaginable apathy,” while Sajal Ali criticised Karachi’s “collapsing, failed system.” Actor Adnan Siddiqui blamed municipal authorities for failing to cover the manhole, calling the tragedy a result of “indifference.”
Ahsan Khan and Ahsan Mohsin Ikram also condemned the civic authorities, urging that those responsible be held accountable for their negligence. Zhalay Sarhadi called the incident “avoidable” and questioned why manholes remain uncovered in the city despite global obsolescence.
Rapper Talha Yunus highlighted government incompetence, while actor Fatima Effendi and Naumaan Ijaz criticised the misuse of millions in traffic fines for cameras instead of basic safety measures like manhole covers. The tragedy has reignited debate over Karachi’s crumbling infrastructure, lack of emergency response facilities, and civic mismanagement.
Read More: Rescue underway for boy who fell into open manhole in Karachi
As public anger grows, citizens continue to demand accountability and immediate reforms to prevent such avoidable incidents in the future. The heartbreaking death of young Ibrahim has become a stark reminder of the city’s systemic failures and the urgent need for responsible governance.