By Ahsan Mughal
KARACHI: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) town chairman Gohar Khattak has denied receiving any resources to cover open manholes, saying he was willing to quit politics if proven otherwise, following the death of an eight-year-old boy who fell into a sewer in Karachi.
Speaking to reporters during a visit to Korangi, Khattak said: “I swear on oath that not even a single manhole cover was given to us. If anyone can prove that covers were provided, I am ready to leave politics.”
His remarks came amid angry protests by local residents, who confronted the town chairman over hazardous open gutters in the area. Tensions flared as residents accused authorities of negligence and demanded accountability.
Meanwhile, MQM-Pakistan said that uncovered manholes across Karachi had turned into “death traps” for citizens, calling for urgent action to prevent further tragedies.
The controversy follows a fatal incident in Mehran Town, Korangi, where an eight-year-old boy, identified as Dilbar, died after falling into an open sewer while playing outside his home. Police said other children alerted the family, and the boy’s uncle later retrieved the body from the gutter himself.
The incident has reignited debate over responsibility between local governments and provincial authorities, as Karachi continues to struggle with unsafe infrastructure and a lack of basic civic services. Residents say that without immediate measures to secure open manholes, such deaths will remain a recurring and preventable tragedy.
