ISLAMABAD – A horrifying accident turned joyful family visit into a nightmare as a 3-year-old boy falls to his death in a sewage-filled pit near his grandmother’s house.
Nauman Wali, who had come from Rawalpindi to spend a few days at his grandmother’s home, was playing outside on Wednesday evening when the unthinkable happened. The child fell into a deep pit dug illegally for sewage in the Mehr Abadi area, one of Islamabad’s largest unauthorized settlements.
The pit, reportedly 10–12 feet long and dug for multiple households, was already filled with water. Neighbors and authorities rushed to help, but the toddler could not be rescued.
Islamabad police and district officials declared death an accident but confirmed that strict legal action will be taken against those responsible for digging the pit. “An FIR under murder charges will be filed against the individuals who created this deadly hazard,” a senior official said.
The tragedy shocked the local community, raising urgent questions about the safety and regulation of illegal settlements in the capital. Authorities have promised swift justice, but for Nauman’s family, the loss is irreparable. This heartbreaking incident serves as a grim reminder of the hidden dangers lurking in unauthorized areas of the city.
Last year, another 8-year-old boy named Dilbar tragically died in Karachi’s Korangi area after falling into an uncovered manhole while playing outside his home,in a similar incident.
Before that, a three-year-old Ibrahim died in Gulshan-i-Iqbal. These accidents sparked protests demanding Karachi mayor’s resignation and legal action against city officials. In response, Karachi Metropolitan Corporation increased budgets for 246 union committees to maintain manhole covers and streetlights.
According to Edhi Foundation, 27 people died in 2025 in Karachi due to falls into open manholes and drains, highlighting the city’s fragmented administration, where multiple agencies responsible for roads, drains, and public safety often fail to coordinate effectively.
Shock and Anger as open manhole claims Life of Another Child in Karachi
