The tragic death of an eight-year-old boy in Karachi, who drowned after falling into an uncovered manhole, has ignited public fury. The response from Karachi's Mayor, Murtaza Wahab, has been widely condemned as insensitive and evasive, shifting focus from a clear municipal failure.
A Pattern of Neglect and Avoidance
Following the incident, Mayor Wahab insisted that the matter should not be politicized. This stance has been met with severe criticism from citizens and analysts alike. Critics argue that municipal governance is inherently political, and holding elected officials accountable for basic civic duties is the core purpose of politics. Dismissing such a failure as mere partisan criticism is seen as a disingenuous attempt to avoid responsibility.
This tragedy is far from an isolated event. It highlights a chronic and deadly problem plaguing Karachi's streets. In 2025 alone, at least 27 people have reportedly died after falling into uncovered drains, with eight of these victims being children. This alarming regularity points not to misfortune but to a profound and systemic breakdown in urban management and oversight.
Deflection Over Action
Instead of presenting a concrete plan to address the crisis, the mayor's explanations have focused on deflection. Claims that a cover was installed but temporarily removed, or that theft is a common cause, do not absolve the city administration of its duty. If covers are routinely stolen, preventing theft and ensuring immediate replacement is the unequivocal responsibility of the municipal government.
This logic exposes a deeper failure: if law and order has deteriorated to the point where essential public safety infrastructure can be stolen without consequence, that failure also rests with the authorities in charge. Public safety cannot be conditional or treated as an optional extra.
The Core Issue: Accountability in Leadership
The mayor's evasion has not quelled public anger but has instead invited greater scrutiny of his leadership and his party's stewardship of Karachi. The city's scale of infrastructure decay, compared to other urban centers, makes this an unmistakably political and administrative failing. It reflects years of sustained neglect and poor oversight.
The public demand is clear: instead of downplaying the reality, the administration must:
- Accept criticism in good faith.
- Acknowledge the systemic nature of the problem.
- Outline a credible and urgent action plan to prevent further loss of life.
Until then, the uncovered manholes of Karachi stand as grim monuments to municipal failure, and the calls for genuine accountability will only grow louder.
