KARACHI: The Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) has issued a strong condemnation following the death of a three-year-old child, Ibrahim, who fell into an open manhole in Gulshan-e-Iqbal. Businessmen Group Chairman Zubair Motiwala and KCCI President Muhammad Rehan Hanif called for immediate accountability and a comprehensive safety audit across the city.

In their joint statement, Motiwala and Hanif expressed deep sympathies with Ibrahim's family and described the incident as a profound failure of the city's administrative systems. They criticized the slow and inadequate response of the rescue teams, which forced locals to procure machinery themselves. The child’s body was found only after a 14-hour search, nearly a kilometer away from where he fell.

The KCCI leaders highlighted that similar tragedies have been recurrent in Karachi, resulting in an estimated 15 to 20 deaths annually. They attributed these incidents to negligence in civic management and a lack of accountability, urging authorities to act without political interference.

Motiwala and Hanif called for a citywide inspection of all manholes and drains, stressing the need for tamper-proof covers and streamlined responsibilities among civic bodies. They emphasized the urgency of the situation, noting that the business community stands with the affected families and demands reforms to prevent future tragedies.

In addition to addressing the manhole issue, the KCCI leadership expressed concerns over the deteriorating condition of major roads in Karachi. They urged Mayor Murtaza Wahab to expedite development work and provide a timeline for the completion of critical infrastructure projects.