The incident has triggered sharp criticism of the Sindh government and Karachi’s municipal authorities, with citizens, journalists and political leaders calling it a case of “criminal negligence.”

The child slipped into the uncovered manhole on Sunday night when his family, visiting from Shah Faisal Colony, stepped out of a departmental store.

According to Rescue 1122, there was no lid on the manhole at the time of the incident.

Public outrage intensified online as details emerged.

Former finance minister Miftah Ismail said there were “no words” to describe the provincial government’s negligence.

FixIt founder Alamgir Khan, who arrived at the scene, questioned whether Karachi had been reduced to “Mohenjo Daro.”

Jamaat-e-Islami Karachi emir Munim Zafar also criticised the authorities, saying the Sindh government could not ensure basic safety, such as manhole covers.

He questioned Mayor Murtaza Wahab directly, asking, “Where is your manhole-cover project?”

Prominent social media users also joined the criticism.

Ehsan Bukhari called the death “murder by negligence,” saying Karachi’s civic administration “does not even flinch.”

Ali Chishti, CEO of The Wire, wrote that Karachi “deserves better” and termed the incident “criminal negligence.”

The child’s family said they spent the entire night seeking help but received none.

His grandfather alleged that multiple departments answered their calls but hung up once the issue was explained.

“Even the mayor’s phone was switched off,” he said. “Had the search begun earlier, Ibrahim might have been alive.”

Ibrahim’s father, Nabeel, broke down while speaking to reporters, saying the boy was his only child.

A video of the grieving mother pleading, “For God’s sake, save my child,” went viral, prompting widespread calls for accountability.

Senior journalist Moeed Pirzada wrote that “the whole country has become a ‘main hole’.”

Civil society members echoed the outrage.

Journalist Asma Shaukat termed it “murder by negligence,” saying such tragedies occur because Karachi’s civic system “keeps collapsing.”

Analyst Faraz Darvesh described the city as “completely devastated,” citing rising street crime, broken roads, stagnant sewage water and unchecked construction.

According to available data, at least 20 people have died this year after falling into open manholes and storm drains in Karachi.

PPP leader Nabil Gabol urged the family to immediately register an FIR against those responsible.

Social activist Ganesh Kumar called on Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to intervene, saying Karachi “deserves development.”

Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab defended his administration, saying the site was “a stormwater drain, not a sewer line,” and claimed 88,000 manhole covers had been installed in the past year.

He grew visibly irritated when asked about resigning, accusing critics of politicising the tragedy.

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has taken notice of the incident and ordered an inquiry into why the manhole had no cover.