Open sewer: 6-year-old in critical condition

SIALKOT: A six-year-old minor Muhammad Naveed was seriously injured after he fell into an open manhole in the Fatehgarh locality on Tuesday. According to rescue workers, Naveed was on his way to school when he fell into an open sewer and was severely injured. Locals jumped in after the boy and pulled him out from the drain. He was admitted at Government Allama Iqbal Memorial DHQ Hospital Sialkot in critical condition. Residents in the area have protested against the municipal authorities for not covering up open sewers in the area. “This is another in a string of such incidents. People have died because of the district government’s negligence,” said rescue worker Kamil. The protesters chanted slogans and demanded immediate stern legal action against the concerned officials.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 27^th, 2011.