Karachi's civic administration has issued a stern warning to all relevant municipal departments concerning the persistent and dangerous issue of open manholes across the city. The Additional Commissioner (ACS) of Karachi, Qazi Jan Muhammad, has declared that failure to address this public safety crisis will result in strict legal and administrative action.
A 48-Hour Ultimatum for Public Safety
During a high-level meeting focused on civic issues, ACS Qazi Jan Muhammad directed the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KW&SB), and the Sindh Solid Waste Management Board to immediately secure all open manholes and drains. He set a clear and non-negotiable deadline of 48 hours for these departments to comply with the order. The meeting, held at the Commissioner's Office, emphasized the urgent need to eliminate these hazards that endanger citizens' lives daily.
Departments Held Accountable for Negligence
The ACS made it unequivocally clear that the heads of the concerned departments would be held personally responsible for any accidents or fatalities resulting from uncovered manholes after the deadline expires. He stated that such incidents would be treated as cases of criminal negligence. This strong stance aims to compel the often-slow municipal machinery into swift action. The directive covers manholes related to sewerage, water, and other utility services that have been left open without proper covers or warning signs.
Qazi Jan Muhammad emphasized that protecting citizens is the foremost responsibility of the civic agencies. He warned that if any department is found negligent in implementing the orders, the Commissioner's Office will not hesitate to initiate disciplinary proceedings and legal action against the responsible officials. This move signals a shift towards holding individuals accountable within large organizations.
A Persistent Hazard in the Metropolis
Open manholes are a chronic and deadly problem in Karachi, especially during the monsoon season when streets flood, making these pits invisible and exponentially more dangerous. Pedestrians, motorcyclists, and even children have tragically fallen into these uncovered holes, leading to severe injuries and deaths. The issue is compounded by theft of manhole covers and prolonged inaction by authorities in replacing them or marking the sites properly.
The ACS's warning comes as a response to growing public outrage and media reports highlighting the authorities' apathy. By setting a short, 48-hour deadline, the administration is attempting to demonstrate a sense of urgency that has long been missing in Karachi's civic governance. The success of this drive, however, will depend entirely on effective follow-up and enforcement after the deadline passes.
The meeting concluded with instructions for all deputy commissioners of Karachi's districts to actively monitor the situation in their respective areas and ensure the orders are implemented in full. The public is now watching to see if this ultimatum will finally lead to tangible results and make the city's streets safer, or if it will become another forgotten directive in Karachi's long history of civic neglect.
