According to announcements given by several police stations, eighteen persons were hurt and one person was killed by stray bullets in incidents of aerial firing around Karachi on Friday’s New Year’s eve.
The injured were taken to hospitals for treatment, and police authorities indicated that investigations were underway.
According to the police station of Ajmer Nagri, Ali Raza, an 11-year-old kid, died as a result of his injuries while being treated at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre. In Sector 5-B/3 in North Karachi, he was hit by a stray bullet.
Meanwhile, the Edhi Foundation said that 15 people had been hurt. For treatment, the injured were taken to Dr Ruth Pfau Civil Hospital, JPMC, and Abbasi Shaheed Hospital.
The police stated on Wednesday that security and other preparations were being made in Karachi ahead of New Year’s Eve, including measures to prevent aerial firing.
The city’s police chief, according to a statement released by the Karachi police spokeswoman, has formed a squad to monitor cases of aerial firing.
Citizens were urged to remain watchful in the statement by police. They also requested that they videotape and share videos of people shooting fireworks into the air on New Year’s Eve. According to the statement, if a civilian filed a complaint, urgent legal action would be initiated, and individuals involved in aerial firing would face charges of attempted murder and other crimes.
Prior to the New Year’s celebrations, the Pakistan Medical Association had also called on the government to impose a complete ban on aerial firing.
The group expressed sadness in a statement for the growing tendency of aerial firing, particularly on Chand Raat, New Year’s Eve, Independence Day, wedding ceremonies, and triumph celebrations, notably by political parties.
