MQM MPA Abdul Waseem faces backlash during visit to Sarim's house

Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Pakistan MPA Abdul Waseem faced backlash from grieving relatives and residents after the body of 7-year-old Sarim was recovered from a water tank in North Karachi.

Sarim had been missing for 11 days before his lifeless body was discovered near his residence.

Waseem visited the crime scene but was met with hostility from enraged residents, particularly women, who accused him of exploiting the tragedy for political purposes. The angered crowd forced the lawmaker to make a hasty retreat.

"Our child has died, and you are here for petty political gains," some of the women reportedly said during the confrontation.

The bereaved family and neighbors have alleged foul play, accusing the apartment's union office bearers of involvement in Sarim's death.

They also criticized the police for their ineffectiveness, claiming officers wasted crucial time raiding relatives’ homes while the child was inside the apartment building.

Sarim's body, found in an underground water tank, bore multiple injury marks, according to the post-mortem report. However, the police surgeon noted that the precise cause of death would only be determined after receiving the chemical examination report.

Police revealed that the tank’s lid had been concealed with a carton and are investigating whether Sarim’s death was an accident or a deliberate act.

The tragic incident began on January 7, when Sarim’s family reported him missing after he failed to return from a nearby madrasa. The heartbreaking discovery of his body has left the community in shock and demanding accountability from both law enforcement and local authorities.