Growing trend of toy weapons raises concern

Children spend Eid money on toy guns as sales surge in streets

RAWALPINDI:

The growing trend of children spending Eid money on toy weapons has raised serious concerns, as stalls selling such toys were set up across streets and neighbourhoods during Eid.

Toy guns, ranging from pistols to replicas of modern weapons such as rifles, Kalashnikovs, and machine guns, were openly sold at high prices.

These toys were available between Rs100 and Rs300, while ammunition packets were sold for Rs50 to Rs80.

Children were seen playing "cops and robbers" and staging mock encounters in streets after purchasing these toys. The trend has been termed alarming by citizens and observers.

Parents and authorities remained silent spectators despite the widespread sale. Observers noted that children's growing interest in weapon-based play reflects a negative trend and requires immediate attention.

Some children said they spent all their Eid money on toy weapons and enjoyed playing with them.

Citizens expressed concern that social media and films promoting violence were contributing to this trend and called for legislation to ban the production and sale of advanced weapon toys, allowing only simple toy pistols.

Gun violence claims four lives

Four people were killed and four others injured in separate incidents of violence linked to personal disputes and financial disagreements across Rawalpindi, police said on Sunday.

According to police, the body of a 42-year-old man, identified as Rashid, was found by the roadside in the Rattala Jabr area within the jurisdiction of Gujar Khan police station. He had been shot dead.

In another incident in Scheme II, also within the limits of Gujar Khan, a dispute escalated into gunfire when suspects, including Azan, allegedly opened fire, killing Gultasb. His brother Mumraiz, son Bilal and cousin Yasir sustained injuries. A passer-by, identified as Aftab, was also wounded after being caught in the crossfire.

Meanwhile, in the Dhamiyaal area, a financial dispute turned deadly when suspects, including Shakeel, allegedly shot and killed Faheem Badshah.

Police said the victim had gone to the accused's shop to have his mobile phone repaired when the incident occurred. The assailants fled the scene while firing.

In a separate case in Pind Gondal, within the jurisdiction of Taxila police station, an argument reportedly stemming from a domestic complaint led to the fatal shooting of Dilnawaz.