New Year Aerial Firing Injures 29 in Karachi; 30 Arrested
- Fahad Bin Khalid
- January 2, 2025
- 1:27 pm
- 46
- Current Affairs
The New Year aerial firing in Karachi led to 29 people, including two women, being injured on the night of December 31, 2024. As people celebrated the arrival of the New Year, stray bullets from celebratory gunfire hit individuals in various areas of Karachi, prompting emergency responses and law enforcement action.
Injuries and Hospitalizations
The New Year aerial firing incidents took place across multiple localities in Karachi, including Liaquatabad, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Shah Faisal Colony, and Orangi Town. Victims were quickly rushed to Civil Hospital, Jinnah Hospital, and Abbasi Shaheed Hospital for medical treatment. According to rescue sources, the injuries were caused by stray bullets fired into the air, a common but dangerous form of celebration in the city.
Among the injured, two women were also caught in the crossfire. Local residents and witnesses reported hearing gunshots throughout the night, with some individuals being struck by stray bullets while in their homes or on the streets.
Law Enforcement Crackdown on Aerial Firing
In response to the New Year aerial firing incidents, Karachi police arrested 30 individuals involved in illegal celebratory gunfire. Police had previously issued warnings that anyone caught firing weapons into the air would face charges of attempted murder. Despite these warnings, the celebratory gunfire persisted, leading to the injuries of innocent civilians.
Police took swift action, identifying and apprehending those responsible for the dangerous and illegal activity. The arrests serve as a reminder of the consequences of aerial firing, which not only violates the law but also puts public safety at risk.
Wider Crackdown in Lahore
While Karachi witnessed the majority of the injuries, the authorities in Lahore also took action against celebratory violence during the New Year festivities. Several individuals were arrested in Lahore for violating laws related to aerial firing and disruptive behavior. Police conducted overnight raids in various parts of the city, including Shad Bagh, Shafiqabad, and Ichhra, where they apprehended suspects and seized weapons.
DIG Operations personally oversaw the law enforcement efforts, ensuring that those responsible for creating chaos faced consequences for their actions.
Celebratory Fireworks and New Year Festivities
Despite the violence caused by New Year aerial firing, the arrival of 2025 was marked by grand fireworks displays across Pakistan. Karachi’s Port Grand and Governor House hosted 40-minute-long fireworks shows, which were said to have set a global record, according to Sindh Governor Kamran Khan Tessori. Other cities like Rawalpindi, Lahore, and Islamabad also held festive events, attracting large crowds for concerts, prayers, and vibrant gatherings.
In Quetta and Azad Kashmir, New Year celebrations were accompanied by fireworks, aerial firing, and religious prayers. In the latter region, locals and tourists gathered for festivities at Zero Point along the Line of Control.
Public Safety and the Need for Change
As the New Year aerial firing incidents show, celebratory violence continues to pose a significant threat to public safety. While fireworks displays and festive events are common traditions to mark the New Year, the reckless practice of firing weapons into the air needs to be addressed more effectively by law enforcement. The arrest of 30 individuals in Karachi is a step toward curbing the problem, but continued efforts are essential to protect innocent civilians from harm during future celebrations.
