Nipa tragedy: Grieving father announces to cover open manholes

The father of Ibrahim, the child who fell into an open manhole near NIPA Chowrangi, said he has lost all hope in the government.

Speaking to international media in tears, Ibrahim’s father said, “Who should I blame? My child is gone. Who will take action against those responsible? If anyone cared, they would have been present at the site.”

He said his son remained in the water for 14 to 15 hours, yet no one came to rescue him. “I want to tell the government that if you cannot ensure that manhole covers are installed, then I will start doing this work myself so that no other child loses their life.”

He further said, “Take my phone number. People can call me. If there are open drains in front of their homes, I will have them covered.”

Ibrahim’s father added that he would go to every departmental store where manhole covers are missing and make sure they are installed.

It is worth mentioning that on Sunday, the body of the three-year-old child who fell into an open manhole near NIPA Chowrangi in Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Karachi, was found 14 hours later, about one kilometer away in the same drainage line.

According to a report, this year alone, 24 citizens — including five children — have died in Karachi after falling into open drains and manholes.