KARACHI: The issue of uncovered sewer manholes in Karachi has escalated into a political confrontation between the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and FixIt volunteers following the tragic death of eight-year-old Dilbar Ali, who fell into an open sewer in Korangi. Fixit is a pro-PTI welfare organization in Karachi. The incident has once again drawn attention to civic negligence and growing public frustration over persistent safety hazards across the city.
On Monday, tension rose sharply in Korangi when PPP workers stopped volunteers from the FixIt organization from installing a manhole cover at the site where the child lost his life.
According to eyewitnesses, FixIt volunteers reached the area with a vehicle carrying several manhole covers and intended to seal the open sewer. However, PPP workers objected to the activity, triggering a heated exchange between both sides.
Confrontation at the Incident Site
Witnesses stated that the argument intensified as FixIt volunteers insisted on completing what they described as a humanitarian task. Despite this, the volunteers were reportedly prevented from proceeding and were eventually forced to leave the area with the manhole covers still loaded in their vehicle. As a result, the open sewer remained uncovered, further alarming residents.
The confrontation occurred only hours after Dilbar Ali’s grieving father spoke to the media and blamed civic authorities for his son’s death. He explained that officials had removed the manhole cover nearly a month earlier during a sewer cleaning operation but never replaced it. Consequently, the open sewer posed a constant danger to residents, particularly children.
Public Anger and Calls for Accountability
The father appealed to the government to immediately cover all open manholes across Karachi to prevent further tragedies. Meanwhile, residents echoed his demands and expressed anger over what they described as unnecessary political interference. They argued that lifesaving efforts should not become a subject of political rivalry.
Locals described the dispute as part of an emerging “politics of manhole covers,” where authorities and political groups appear more focused on claiming responsibility than addressing urgent public safety concerns. Furthermore, residents stressed that open sewers have already claimed multiple lives in recent years, making delays unacceptable.
The incident has further inflamed public sentiment, with many questioning why volunteer-led initiatives face resistance instead of support. Despite growing criticism, the Karachi administration has yet to issue an official statement regarding the clash or clarify plans to secure the site.
