PHC wants crackdown on aerial firing on Eid

Police told to take strict action against violators, use all available forums to spread the word

PESHAWAR: The provincial police department has been directed to use all forums, including religious such as mosques, media and social media to curb aerial firing on the eve of Eidul Fitr in the province. It also sought strict action against violators.

This was directed by a two-member bench of the Peshawar High Court (PHC), comprising Justice Qaiser Rashid and Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim, who took notice of casualties caused by celebratory aerial firing in the province.

The court further directed the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) inspector general, Peshawar capital city police officer and director generals of rangers to keep an eye on the violators.

During Wednesday’s hearing, CCPO Qazi Jameelur Rehman told the court that it was unfortunate that the public resort to aerial firing at celebratory events. He added that most of the people who violate the law actually belong to well-educated and influential families.

He further told the court that the police in the Peshawar has adopted a unique method to learn about the whereabouts
of events such as wedding ceremonies in the district and warn the organisers in advance not to violate the law.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 30^th, 2019.