Actress Shagufta Ijaz has raised a powerful and emotional point about Karachi’s long-standing governance failures, linking her criticism to the recent heartbreaking death of young Ibrahim, the child who fell into an open manhole while running toward his father. The tragedy, captured on CCTV, shook the entire country and once again exposed the city’s crippling infrastructure problems.
Shagufta questioned why authorities have created systems efficient enough to collect fines worth Rs. 10,000, yet remain unable to install a Rs. 300 manhole cover, which could save innocent lives. Her statement reflects widespread frustration among Karachi’s citizens, who for years have been dealing with broken roads, uncovered manholes, overflowing sewage, and lack of accountability within local institutions.
Ibrahim’s death has intensified public anger at the political situation in Karachi, where responsibilities are often divided between multiple departments, leading to blame-shifting instead of action. Despite continuous promises from political leaders, essential urban management tasks remain neglected.
Citizens argue that if fines can be collected efficiently, then the same urgency must be applied to protect lives. Shagufta Ijaz’s remarks echo a growing demand for transparency, accountability, and immediate repair of life-threatening hazards across the city.
As Karachi mourns Ibrahim, many hope this tragic incident becomes a turning point, pushing authorities to prioritize safety over paperwork, politics, and bureaucracy.
