A child was killed, and at least 95 people were injured in aerial firing incidents in Karachi on the eve of Independence Day.
Aerial firing is a common practice in Pakistan, particularly in Karachi, during celebratory events, despite the dangers it poses. This unlawful practice has led to fatalities on several occasions in the past. Although celebratory gunfire is illegal, enforcing the law remains a challenge for police and state institutions across the country.
The Shahrah-i-Noor Jahan police arrested a suspect after a child was fatally struck by accidental gunfire. A licensed pistol was recovered from the suspect, and a First Information Report (FIR) was filed, according to a police statement.
Police surgeon Dr. Summaiya Syed reported that 95 cases of aerial firing injuries were documented at three major hospitals in Karachi.
At Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), 39 cases were reported, involving 33 men and six women. The oldest victim was 74 years old, and the youngest was a five-year-old child.
Abbasi Shaheed Hospital treated 34 injured individuals, including 25 men and nine women, with ages ranging from six to 65 years.
At the Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto (SMBB) Trauma Centre, 22 injuries were reported, involving 17 men and five women. The oldest was 55 years old, while the youngest was six.
Last year, 33 people were injured in Karachi due to aerial firing on New Year’s Eve.
