At least 29 people, including two women, sustained injuries from stray bullets during celebratory aerial firing in Karachi as the city welcomed the New Year, police said on Wednesday.
The injured were rushed to Civil Hospital, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, and Abbasi Shaheed Hospital for medical treatment, according to rescue officials. The incidents were reported in various parts of the metropolis, including Liaquatabad, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Shah Faisal Colony, and Orangi Town.
Law enforcement agencies launched a swift crackdown, arresting 30 individuals involved in aerial firing despite prior warnings from the Karachi police. Authorities had earlier announced that violators would face charges of attempted murder under Section 324 of the Pakistan Penal Code.
Crackdown in Lahore
Similar incidents of aerial firing and hooliganism were reported in Lahore, where police arrested several individuals under the guise of ensuring public safety during New Year’s Eve celebrations.
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DIG Operations Lahore conducted late-night visits to Shad Bagh, Cantt, Hanjarwal, Shahdara, Shafiqabad, and Ichhra to monitor law enforcement activities. In Shad Bagh alone, police detained 15 suspects for engaging in aerial firing and disruptive behavior, recovering weapons from their possession.
Festivities across Pakistan
Despite the troubling incidents, New Year celebrations were marked by dazzling fireworks displays in major cities, including Karachi, Islamabad, Rohri, and Lahore.
In Karachi, large crowds gathered at Port Grand and the Governor House to witness a spectacular 40-minute fireworks display. Sindh Governor Kamran Khan Tessori claimed the event set a global record for the longest fireworks show.
In Islamabad, festivities were held in F-8 and several private housing societies, drawing families and friends. In Quetta, residents welcomed the New Year with aerial firing, fireworks, and special prayers in churches.
In Azad Jammu and Kashmir, the celebrations included vibrant fireworks at Zero Point in Keran, near the Line of Control (LoC), attracting both locals and tourists.
Meanwhile, residents of Hyderabad and Gujranwala celebrated with prayers for peace and prosperity in the year ahead.
