Curbing harmful trends: Children take to the streets against toy guns
Poets, intellectuals stress adverse impact of weapons.
Children participate in the rally. PHOTO: EXPRESS
THANA:
A group of children participated in an anti-toy weapons rally in Thana area in Malakand.
The protest was aimed to build awareness among the public about the adverse impact of toy guns on a child’s psyche. Participants of the rally marched through the streets and carried placards inscribed with anti-toy gun slogans. A large number of poets, intellectuals and elders of the area also participated on the occasion.
Speaking on the rally, Amjad Shehzad, a poet and singer said toy weapons have had a deleterious impact on children.
“The negative effect of toy guns is felt strongly in this region,” he said. “This is primarily because the region is prone to extremism and a frightening wave of militancy.”
Shehzad added there is a pressing need to take quick and concrete steps to curb the sale of toy guns.
Nangyal Yousafzai, another poet, told participants it was a matter of concern that shopkeepers who sell toy guns have not given up on their businesses.
“Children take [an] interest in toy guns,” Nangyal said. “Toy guns direct children towards violence.”
Participants at the rally unanimously pressed the government to immediately put a ban on the sale and purchase of toy guns across the country.
They said it was a serious issue and efforts should be made to curb their sale.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 13th, 2016.
A group of children participated in an anti-toy weapons rally in Thana area in Malakand.
The protest was aimed to build awareness among the public about the adverse impact of toy guns on a child’s psyche. Participants of the rally marched through the streets and carried placards inscribed with anti-toy gun slogans. A large number of poets, intellectuals and elders of the area also participated on the occasion.
Speaking on the rally, Amjad Shehzad, a poet and singer said toy weapons have had a deleterious impact on children.
“The negative effect of toy guns is felt strongly in this region,” he said. “This is primarily because the region is prone to extremism and a frightening wave of militancy.”
Shehzad added there is a pressing need to take quick and concrete steps to curb the sale of toy guns.
Nangyal Yousafzai, another poet, told participants it was a matter of concern that shopkeepers who sell toy guns have not given up on their businesses.
“Children take [an] interest in toy guns,” Nangyal said. “Toy guns direct children towards violence.”
Participants at the rally unanimously pressed the government to immediately put a ban on the sale and purchase of toy guns across the country.
They said it was a serious issue and efforts should be made to curb their sale.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 13th, 2016.