Murtaza Wahab Condoles Family, Vows Action Over Open Drain Incident

Murtaza Wahab, Karachi mayor, has claimed that the child who fell into the open manhole near Nipa flyover late last night was not a sewage drain but a rainwater drain. Sharing the deep grief of the kid’s family, he added that an attempt was made to politicize the matter, which is very unfortunate.

In media talk in Karachi, Murtaza said that he understands the parents’ grief and extends sympathies to them, assuring them that he will provide all possible assistance to the family.

He added that a 500-meter section has been dug up and the search operation for the kid is underway, stating, “I am also getting CCTV footage to see what happened. I have ordered the MD Water Corporation to investigate who blocked the machinery. If so, legal action will be taken. If the negligence of the staff is proven, action will be taken against them.”

Murtaza Wahab further revealed that 88,000 manhole covers have been installed in the last year, the Water Corporation has provided covers to 55 percent of UC chairmen, and he will conduct an inquiry into how the manhole was opened near the department store and hospital in the city center and how long the manhole had been open, or if it was opened; this will be checked.

The mayor of Karachi complained that an attempt was made to politicize the incident that occurred last night, that critics would use it for political purposes, and that the Water Corporation had not received any complaints.

He said, “I stand with the affected family and parents. I am part of the government. Such provocative talk does not resolve the issues. Both the town and the KMC work on the storm drain. We will conduct a thorough investigation into every aspect of the matter.”

Murtaza Wahab, in addition to it, disclosed the fact that the town chairman of this area belongs to Jamaat-e-Islami. If I say that the responsibility lies with Jamaat-e-Islami, people will be angry.