Karachi father searching for son who fell into open manhole over 2.5 years ago

Speaking to Dialogue Pakistan, Abiyan’s father, Atif Uddin, said that on 6 May 2023, they had returned home after his son’s result, where he had passed with flying colours. Filled with joy, Abiyan went out to play cricket with his elder brother.

However, there was an open manhole in the area. The children tried covering it with a cloth or whatever they could find, but Abiyan slipped and fell into it.

“I still haven’t found my son,” Atif said. “I want to ask the mayor of Karachi and the governor, who is responsible for this? Who will bring my child back? I have no peace. I don’t even know if Abiyan is alive.”

He added that no one was held accountable, and his case was mishandled. He accused Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman of being the main reason his case collapsed, as he provided him with a lawyer. “The lawyer didn’t show up on the first hearing, and no documents were ever submitted to the court. Later, the lawyer even advised me to accept some settlement and drop the case.”

Atif said he had requested the technical drawing of the manhole, but was never provided one. After one and a half months, he learned that the line was connected to the Essa Nagri graveyard.

“It is my right. I pay taxes. These government officials are public servants. The responsibility lies with KMC and the authorities,” he said. “This is not just about my child; incidents like this happen again and again.”

He further stated, “I would like the mayor of Karachi, if he stands for justice, to come to court, apologise there, and accept responsibility. I will forgive, but only if it is acknowledged first.”

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