The issue of uncovered sewer manholes in Karachi has become a political dispute following the tragic death of eight-year-old Dilbar Ali, who fell into an open sewer in the Korangi area.
Tensions escalated on Monday when workers associated with the Pakistan Peoples Party reportedly stopped volunteers from the FixIt initiative from installing a manhole cover at the accident site. Witnesses stated that FixIt volunteers arrived with a vehicle carrying replacement covers and attempted to secure the open sewer where the child had tragically lost his life.
According to residents, PPP workers objected to the installation, triggering a heated exchange. The volunteers were reportedly forced to leave the area without completing the work, even though the manhole covers were present.
ڈھکن سیاست ، کورنگی میں گٹر کا ڈھکن لگانے پر پیپلزپارٹی اور فکس اٹ کے کارکنوں میں تناؤ ، پی پی کے کارکنوں نے ڈھکن لگانے سے روک دیا فکس اٹ والے ڈھکن سے بھری سوزوکی لے کر روانہ ہو گئے
پیپلز پارٹی کا ایک ہی، ڈھکن لگانا ہے نہ ہی لگانے دیناہے، بچےمرے تو مرنے دو@AKFixit #fixit pic.twitter.com/mDii3OiurH
— Mumtaz Shigri (@iamMumtazShigri) December 29, 2025The confrontation came only hours after Dilbar Ali’s father spoke to the media, holding civic authorities responsible for his son’s death. He said officials had removed the manhole cover nearly a month earlier during sewer cleaning and never replaced it, despite the danger it posed to the neighbourhood.
The grieving father urged the government to immediately cover all open manholes across the city to prevent further loss of life. His appeal has resonated with many Karachi residents, who say such hazards have become routine and deadly.
''8 year old boy died after falling into uncovered manhole while playing outside his home in Korangi, Karachi'' 💔
How many more innocent kids will have to die before we return to 'City District Government Karachi'?😢
As is the norm in beautiful cities like Istanbul, Bangkok https://t.co/xchixFN5Wo pic.twitter.com/KR6L6od25e
— Karachi's Mass Transit Enthusiast (@masstransit4khi) December 30, 2025Locals describe the incident as part of a growing “politics of manhole covers,” where blame and control take precedence over urgent safety measures. Several residents expressed anger that humanitarian efforts were blocked even after repeated fatalities linked to uncovered sewers.
So far, no official statement has been issued by the Karachi administration regarding the clash or the status of the manhole in Korangi. Meanwhile, public concern continues to mount as open sewers remain a serious and ongoing threat across the city.
