New Year revellers warned against aerial firing as countrywide security measures beefed up

• Police have finalised security arrangements in all the major cities.
• Aseefa urges people to prioritise safety during New Year celebration.
• Lahore CTO advises parents to keep an eye on their children.

As the clock ticks down to New Year's Eve, the police on Sunday warned revellers of strict action against aerial firing across the country.

The warning comes after Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar  on Thursday announced that all celebrations related to the New Year are banned across the country as the nation stands in solidarity with Palestinians who have been facing the worst Israeli brutality since October 7.

In a televised address on December 28, the premier said: “Pakistani nation is in a sad state [...] so keeping in mind the situation, the Government of Pakistan has decided to ban all celebrations related to New Year’s.”

In a statement, Karachi East Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Irfan Bahadur said police personnel have been deployed on the roads, adding that stern action would be taken against aerial firing and riding motorbikes without silencers and creating problems for others.

The police personnel would also search suspects at different points in the port city tonight.

He further said that the police have taken all-out measures to maintain law and order situation on the eve of New Year. Giving details, the SSP said that 2,600 police personnel have been deployed in District East alone.

“Two divisional SSPs, seven DSPs and 18 SHOs will be on the roads in their respective areas [during the event],” he added.

Last year, one was killed and as many as 18 people sustained bullet injuries in incidents of aerial firing in the metropolis.

Meanwhile, the police have finalised security arrangements in all the major cities, including Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Peshawar Quetta, Lahore and Faisalabad on the eve of New Year’s night.

Terming the protection of lives of people utmost priority of the government, Balochistan caretaker Home Minister Zubair Ahmed Jamali said that strict action would be taken against those involved in aerial firing and one-wheeling. 

He said that special teams were set up to deal with the incidents of aerial firing.

In her special message to parents, Lahore CTO Amara Athar termed one-wheeling a “bloody game” and urged them to keep an eye on their children and prevent them from doing this.

‘Let us prioritise safety’

Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, PPP leader Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari — daughter of former president Asif Ali Zardari and ex-prime minister Benazir Bhutto — urged the people to prioritise safety during the New Year celebration.

“As we welcome the New Year, let us prioritise safety in celebrations,” she wrote on her official X handle.

“I earnestly discourage the practice of aerial firing, it poses significant dangers and can result in the loss of life. Opt for safer festivities, and dissuade others from engaging in this dangerous activity,” Aseefa said.

Traffic plans for New Year’s eve

In order to ensure smooth traffic flow and public safety, the police in different cities devised special traffic plans in connection with the New Year’s night.

Under the guidance of Islamabad Capital City Police Officer (ICCPO), Dr Akbar Nasir Khan, Islamabad Capital Police is set to enforce strict measures against various traffic offences.

These include wheeling, participation in car racing, and any activities that disrupt the flow of traffic.

Special attention will be given to motorcyclists with heavy silencers, known for creating noise disturbances on the roads. On the night of New Year’s Eve, a significant deployment of law enforcement personnel is planned.

In order to avoid any inconvenience to the commuters, the Karachi police have devised a traffic plan for the New Year Night.

As per details, road heading towards Abdullah Shah Ghazi's shrine from Do Talwar (two swords) would remain closed for all kinds of traffic tonight. Road leading to Street Number 26 form the shrine would also remain closed.

The police said that traffic would not be allowed on DR Ziauddin Ahmed Road up to Lilly Signal. Club Road would remain blocked for traffic from PIDC Chowk.

“A vehicle will be allowed to go towards Seaview just once,” the police added.

Those who were travelling from Seaview could reach their destination via Khayaban-e-Ittehad, said the police. Residents of DHA Phase 5,6,7 and 8 were advised to use Street Number 26 to reach their destinations.

'Strict penalties announced if cops found involved in aerial firing'

In a bid to refrain police personnel from jubilant firing on New Year's Eve, the Karachi police announced some strict departmental actions. It said that if any personnel are found involved in aerial firing tonight, his house allotment order would be cancelled and an FIR would be filed against the law enforcer.

“The police personnel found involved in aerial can be dismissed from service,” it added.

In addition to this, the police have started collection weapons from licence holders as “surety” in different areas of Keamari Town, SSP Arif Rao confirmed. He said that the weapons would be returned to their owners tomorrow (Monday).