In Pakistan, it is a common practice to come out on the roads in groups to celebrate sports wins, new years, and of course, Independence Day. It is also often customary to celebrate these feats by firing guns into the air and lighting up firecrackers.
But flirting with danger has its consequences that many innocent people fall victim to every year.
Ten years back, in 2013, aerial firing resulted in the death of at least one person and more than 30 were wounded in Karachi. Jinnah Hospital alone received 33 wounded people, one of whom died shortly after.
In 2018, three people were killed and more than 35 were injured including children and women. Apart from aerial firing, a 22-year-old man was struck by firecrackers in Nazimabad.
In 2022, one man died while 23 were wounded in Karachi.
This year, as the public celebrated the 76th year of Independence, two people were killed and 85 were injured as a result of aerial firing carried out in Karachi.
According to Jamshed Quarters Station House Officer (SHO) Gul Baig, a 25-year-old woman was crossing the People’s Chowrangi on a motorbike with her family when a stray bullet hit her. Simultaneously, a seven-month-old baby was also hit at People’s Square.
Baghdadi SHO Ghulam Yasin said that a man sleeping on the roof of his house in Lyari’s Aath Chowk passed away as a random bullet hit him.
A police surgeon, Dr Summaiya Syed has claimed that Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) and Abbasi Shaheed Hospital received 32 injured people each. These cases include a critical case of a head injury, children, teenagers, and women.
What Does the Law Say?
As per statements issued by City police and Central district police, eight people in total have been arrested in Kalakot, Kharadar, and Liaquatabad Bridge whereas seven pistols have been seized. The culprits have been charged with attempted murder, possessing illegal weapons and aerial firing.
Under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), the district administration can issue a ban on an activity “for a specific period of time”. Such a ban is often enforced by the police and any violation of the ban can be tried under section 188 of the Pakistan Penal Code which carries “a maximum penalty of six months in prison or fine or both”.
Similarly, cases of aerial firing can be registered under Section 337 (H) (II) of the Pakistan Penal Code for a negligent act of endangering lives.
337-H. (2) states:
Whoever does any act so rashly or negligently as to endanger human life or the
personal safety of other, shall be punished with imprisonment of either-description for a
term which may extend to three months, or with fine, or with both.
