On Pakistan’s Independence Day this year, Noman roamed the streets near Karachi’s Memon Goth, until he fell into one of the many uncovered manholes and lost his life.

Noman’s father, Rehmat Ullah, is a resident near Memon Goth and works as a rickshaw driver. After looking for his son for half an hour and prodding the drain with a stick, they found the body.

Noman was loved by everyone and was born six years after his parents’ marriage.

Deaths resulting from uncovered manholes have become common in Karachi. At least 68 people were reportedly killed by these manholes in Karachi this year alone.

Moreover, there is a lack of proper data because many parents do not report their children’s deaths in the first place.

A similar incident occurred in Orangi Town when Razia, a 50-year-old woman, fell into a hole. A man who dived in to save her also lost his life after inhaling toxic gases. In September, a four-year-old girl named Umra Baloch, lost her life due to a sewerage drain in Mawach Goth. The family staged a protest and accused the relevant authorities of criminal negligence.

 

Deaths resulting from uncovered manholes have become common in Karachi. At least 68 people were reportedly killed by these manholes in Karachi this year alone.

 

Zahid Farooq, an official at the Urban Resource Center, said that responsibility for this negligence lies on the authorities of the area and its jurisdiction. The union council requests the town to provide how many covers they need, and the town, along with the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB), provides covers to the union council. Then, the UC distributes them.

In some cases, both the UC and the KWSB are directly involved, but primarily it is the UC’s responsibility.

Moreover, he stated that the contributing factors to these cases are “rain, load shedding, and a lack of streetlights in the area.”

He also pointed out the “quality of construction,” citing an example from Jehangir Road with weak infrastructure manholes. The main reason, according to Farooq, is the lack of “surveys.” Often, covers get broken, and there is also a shortage of resources to cover all the uncovered manholes. Furthermore, he emphasized that public participation is necessary.

Farooq said that people should approach the Union Council via verbal complaint if they encounter any opened manhole cover in their area. “Proper infrastructure, effective governance, and public participation are necessary to address these issues,” he added.

Aftab Chandio, the chief engineer of the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KSWB), stated that a new policy has been implemented by the mayor, which includes the distribution of manhole covers. Chandio explained that responsibility is allocated based on specific areas, and many incidents that have occurred fall under the jurisdiction of other departments.

“There are more than three lakh manholes in Karachi,” said Chandio. Additionally, he pointed out that manhole covers are being stolen by drug addicts, and they also face quality issues. “We have distributed manhole covers to all 246 union councils in Karachi,” he added.
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He emphasized that recent incidents observed in Karachi are not within KSWB’s jurisdiction. Chandio noted that systems installed by the union councils are not being adequately maintained. Furthermore, he added that both the tragic events that happened in Memon Goth and Mowach Goth fall under the purview of the Public Health Engineering Department and the Rural Development Department.

Shaeran Rufus

The writer is a Karachi-based journalist passionate about human rights, social issues, and minority advocacy. She tweets at @ShaeranRufus

The post In Karachi, Deadly Manholes Are Killing Children As Authorities Shift Blame appeared first on Dissent Today.

The protest rally was organised at the Karachi Press Club, according to a press release.

Khalid Rao from Civil Progressive Alliance Pakistan, Noreen from Women Democratic Front, Professor Owais, Hasan Sagheer, Syed Ali Haider Zaidi, and a student Haroon Saleem, spoke at the occasion.

During the protest, members of the civil society expressed solidarity with the relatives of the teachers, while urging the law enforcers to fulfill their responsibility by arresting the terrorists responsible for the “barbaric act and put them behind bars”.

The organisers maintained that sectarian attacks are detrimental to the entire country and added that law enforcement agencies need to ensure the security of all segments of the society so the country can progress.

On May 4, seven Shia teachers were shot dead by unknown attackers at a school in the Kurram district of KP, with the regional commissioner terming the killings sectarian in nature.

The teachers include: Syed Hussain, Liaquat Hussain, Syed Ali Shah, Mehdi Hussain, Mohammad Ali, Ali Hussain and another invigilator, Express Tribune reported.

Contradictory accounts were being given for the motive behind the killings. The provincial Chief Minister’s Office cited the land dispute to be the cause, but the regional commissioner said it could be sectarian killings.

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According to a transgender activist, Hina Baloch, an elderly transwoman, Noor, was taken to the JPMC in critical condition, however, the staff did not admit her for treatment.

We got a call from KS community member residing at Muslimabad Orangi/Baldia that a KS elder is in extremely critical condition & she needs to be taken to the hospital, she was then taken to Jinnah Hospital but the hospital didn’t admit her for treatment & told them off to go home pic.twitter.com/ZIHjOlMEHT

— Hina Baloch (@surkhina) April 23, 2023

The very next day/chaandraat, I got a call from my Guru @ShahzadiRai that the KS elder just passed away & I was tasked to arrange for her funeral/burial. I along with my KS colleague Mano rushed to the deceased KS woman’s home & met her grieving KS Chelas there. Allah have mercy

— Hina Baloch (@surkhina) April 23, 2023

A day later, she passed away, Hina Baloch said.

The transgender activist then narrated their ordeal with getting to arrange her funeral and burial. She said the local imam refused to offer funeral prayers for Noor and the locals also did not allow her burial inside the cemetery.

I called Edhi, May Allah bless the late Edhi Sahib & Bilquis Edhi. Their staff very politely explained to us that they need a permission letter from the relevant police station & then the Edhi foundation will take care of the funeral & burial of the said KhawajaSira elder.

— Hina Baloch (@surkhina) April 23, 2023

After this, the transgender activist called Edhi Foundation, who told them they would arrange for the burial but they needed a permission letter from a relevant police station.

I went to Mominabad police station around 3 AM in the morning & explained the situation to the cops sitting there. Initially they asked us if the blood family is available? I told them they’re not willing to show up. Cops asked me to bring them confirmation of her death & …

— Hina Baloch (@surkhina) April 23, 2023

Seeking confirmation on chaandraat from a govt hospital of someone who died at her home in another corner of the city where even an ambulance is not coming to carry her corpse. It was almost impossible & extremely frustrating and the body had started to decompose already

— Hina Baloch (@surkhina) April 23, 2023

Eventually, they got the permission letter and were able to hand over Noor’s dead body to Edhi Foundation for burial. However, she questioned, why was she denied treatment in a government hospital.

Thanks to Shahzadi who made some quick calls & thanks to Sindh Police for cooperating & understanding the situation & for not wasting our time in an unnecessary red tape, they finally issued me the permission letter in my name & only then I could feel some sense of relief pic.twitter.com/5xV0EesxWu

— Hina Baloch (@surkhina) April 23, 2023

Finally, a team of Forensic experts arrived & they did their job and granted us the permission to handover the dead body of Noor to the Edhi Foundation. Noor was then carried down the road where an Edhi ambulance was waiting for her & her Chelas bid farewell to their Guru. pic.twitter.com/QdaLoYngtz

— Hina Baloch (@surkhina) April 23, 2023

“I was thinking that a KhawajaSira person cannot even die in peace,” she added.

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A social media user in a Twitter thread criticised Bangwar for apparently promoting the LGBTQ agenda through these colours.

A civil servant should abide by the law & constitution of 🇵🇰. But @HazimBangwar decided to act otherwise.

Painting 🏳️‍🌈 colours for kids play area for subtle messaging is exactly how homosexuals & pedophiles operate.

These woke extremists need to be responded by common ppl. https://t.co/s8pyCrJL7D

— Salman Javed (@M_EssJay) April 10, 2023

However, some social media users confronted him, saying that these were common colours.

What nonsense! these are not pride colors. Pride colors are 6~8, these are just 4.

— احمد شاه لودي (@ahmad_lodi) April 10, 2023

Just that you know. There is a complete variety of these flags available as per their movement. Pride flag encompasses all those sub cultures and their representative flags.

Each strip of these colours specially the provide colour has its own meaning. Read about it. pic.twitter.com/8r3Bh12V4Q

— Salman Javed (@M_EssJay) April 10, 2023

Pakis in replies seem more obsessed with lgbtq than queer ppl will ever be https://t.co/ROKI6QHDGe

— sam⁷ (@emma_hassy) April 11, 2023

Hazim Bangwar also responded to the backlash and said that he copied and recreated as per the opinions shared by the public with him.

A little clarification for the one’s fainting from confusion. I simply copied and recreated what was shared with me by the public including the colors and the design. I don’t mind the small minded talk but I truly hope that the public enjoys the effort towards making

— Hazim Bangwar (@HazimBangwar) April 10, 2023

North Nazimabad not only functional but beautiful as well.

Feel free to share other creative ideas that could help make your areas more lively and bright.#hazimbangwar #AssistantCommissioner #northnazamabad #forthepeople

— Hazim Bangwar (@HazimBangwar) April 10, 2023

He added: “Recently another subdivision did this under their bridge and nothing was said. Help me understand this hypocrisy.”

Recently another subdivision did this under their bridge and nothing was said. Help me understand this hypocrisy. pic.twitter.com/XAesNoEVDi

— Hazim Bangwar (@HazimBangwar) April 11, 2023

People also appreciated the Assistant Commissioner for his efforts to improve the city.

Keep it up! You are doing good for the people. People will talk and you cant stop them. So, carry on whatever you are doing for the public at large.

— Mamoon khan (@mamoonkhan30) April 10, 2023

All of what he’s doing is 5-10 minutes away especially the Naya Nazimabad Bridge and the road that goes to Shipowners as well. I’m really happy that someone responsible and determined is now in power. Well done @HazimBangwar, you have my utmost respect. https://t.co/X91tFZ5nVD

— osama (@cameramayn) April 11, 2023

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The police said the family of the 13-year-old girl filed a First Information Report, stating the girl was kidnapped over a month ago. The family had named Abdullah as a suspected kidnapper.

Following the registration of the FIR, the police conducted raids in Peshawar and Lahore, Dawn reported.

The police found the minor girl in Lahore, who they say, has married the kidnapper of her own free will.

Last year, a teenage girl from Karachi, Dua Zehra, had gone missing from Karachi and was found in Punjab ‘married’ to her kidnapper.

Karachi Police told the court that 24 people, including Dua’s purported husband Zaheer, were found to be involved in the abduction and child marriage.

According to the United Nations,  Pakistan has the 6th highest number of girls married before the age of 18 in the world. According to UNICEF report from 2018, around 18 per cent of the girls in Pakistan are married before the age of 18 giving it the lowest rate of child marriage in South Asia after Sri Lanka.

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The police have arrested two people for investigation.

According to Dawn, the body of the boy was found in the rear seat of a parked Suzuki Cultus car. The police also said that they have arrested the owner of the vehicle and watchman of the parking stand for the investigation.

According to doctors, the boy had a right-hand deformity and during the medical examination, multiple injuries were found all over the body. The findings also suggested anal sexual abuse.

Doctors have confirmed murder after rape in their preliminary findings.

Earlier, a six-year-old girl was found raped and murdered in the Bin Qasim area, Karachi.

According to the medical examination, the girl was brutally raped and then murdered. The girl’s body was recovered from a drain near National Highway.

The girl had gone missing while playing outside her home three days ago and the family had lodged a complaint at a police station.

In 2018, the gruesome murder and rape of six-year-old Zainab Ansari in Kasur, Punjab, shook the nation, leading to widespread protests.

Zainab went missing on January 4th, 2018, and her body was found five days later in a heap of trash. The six-year-old was raped and tortured before being strangled to death.

Later that year, police caught 24-year-old Imran Ali for raping and murdering Zainab. Imran Ali was convicted of similar crimes against six more girls and was handed a death sentence. The convict was hanged in October 2018.

In 2020, parliament passed a new law against child abuse in the wake of Zainab’s case.

The country’s first national child abuse law introduced a penalty of life imprisonment for child abuse. The law mandates police to register a case within two hours of a child’s parents reporting them missing.

Nearly 10 cases of child abuse a day are reported in Pakistan, with girls mostly affected, according to Sahil, an organisation that works on child protection.

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The Aurat March is held annually across Pakistan to celebrate International Women’s Day. Aurat March has already taken place in other cities of the country. However, the organisers for Aurat March Karachi decided to march on a weekend so working women can also participate.

The organisers of the march have put forth seven demands in the manifesto.

The first demand includes the enforcement of minimum wages across all sectors and strict laws against those who break the law. The second demand includes cutting down the military budget and spending it specifically on the rehabilitation of flood victims.

Unprecedented floods ravaged Pakistan in 2022, causing thousands of deaths and leaving many homeless.

The third demand includes a monthly stipend for women and the transgender community impacted by floods.

The fourth demand draws government attention to the practice of bonded labour in Sindh. The organisers have urged the authorities to curtail the practice of bonded labour, which impacts marginalised communities the most, and also eliminate private jails from Sindh, where farmers are kept by their landlords.

The fifth demand includes the establishment of shelter houses, while in the sixth demand, the organisers have urged the federal government to uphold Transgender Persons
(Protection of Rights) Act, 2018 in its original form.

The progressive Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill, 2018 accords transgender citizens the right to self-identify. However, recently the bill has faced opposition from extremist elements in the country, who consider it to be “un-Islamic”.

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Suspect Mohammad Rashid allegedly abducted 15-year-old Ramila, alias Sara, from Shershah area. The suspect then forcefully converted the underage girl and married her.

According to Dawn, the girl told the magistrate that she wanted to go with her parents out of her free will during the court proceedings.

In an earlier hearing, the minor girl had said that she had married the suspect out of her own free will. However, the court sent her to a shelter home and ordered a medical examination. After the medical examination, the girl’s age was determined to be 15 years old.

The forced conversion of underage Hindu girls to Islam in Sindh is a severe issue. Human rights groups have continuously urged the government authorities to introduce laws regarding forced conversations.

Earlier, the United Nations had also urged Pakistan to curtail the practice of forced marriages of young girls from religious minorities to Muslim men. The United Nations had also called on Pakistani authorities to adopt and implement legislation in this regard.

In a statement, the UN had “expressed alarm” that young girls from religious minorities are kidnapped, trafficked, forcibly converted to Islam, and forced to marry men. The statement called on Pakistani authorities to curb this practice and uphold international human rights law.

Moreover, according to a recent report by the United States Institute of Peace, Pakistan has witnessed a surge in extremism and intolerance of diversity and dissent as the state-sanctioned laws and conservative narratives facilitate religious extremist elements and support their narrative, leaving little space for religious inclusion.

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According to the medical examination, the girl was brutally raped and then murdered. The girl’s body was recovered from a drain near National Highway.

The girl had gone missing while playing outside her home three days ago and the family had lodged a complaint at a police station.

In 2018, the gruesome murder and rape of six-year-old Zainab Ansari in Kasur, Punjab, shook the nation, leading to widespread protests.

Zainab went missing on January 4th, 2018, and her body was found five days later in a heap of trash. The six-year-old was raped and tortured before being strangled to death.

Later that year, police caught 24-year-old Imran Ali for raping and murdering Zainab. Imran Ali was convicted of similar crimes against six more girls and was handed a death sentence. The convict was hanged in October 2018.

In 2020, parliament passed a new law against child abuse in the wake of Zainab’s case.

The country’s first national child abuse law introduced a penalty of life imprisonment for child abuse. The law mandates police to register a case within two hours of a child’s parents reporting them missing.

Nearly 10 cases of child abuse a day are reported in Pakistan, with girls mostly affected, according to Sahil, an organisation that works on child protection.

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According to police, the father, identified as Haji Muhammad Saeed, upon returning from the morning prayers found his son Muhammad Sohail sleeping. Saeed hit Sohail with a hammer without any warning, causing his death.

The accused claimed that he had warned his children, including the victim, a number of times to offer prayers on time. However, the victim did not pay any heed. So out of anger and frustration, he killed him.

The accused is in police custody and a case has been registered against the father under the charges of murder.

A hammer and a knife, which are believed to have been used in the murder, were also found at the crime scene.

The body was later shifted to Jinnah Post Graduate Medical Center for a postmortem examination.

According to a recent report by the United States Institute of Peace, Pakistan has witnessed a surge in extremism and intolerance of diversity and dissent as the state-sanctioned laws and conservative narratives facilitate religious extremist elements and support their narrative, leaving little space for religious inclusion. The report also points out that the failure of the institutions in conflict resolution of various groups encourage them to seek violence as an alternative.

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