LAHORE – The Punjab government has imposed a ban on a fireworks display, public concerts and aerial firing on the eve of New Year in the capital city.
Reports said that the district administration has issued directives in this regard, adding that multiple requests for fireworks displays by authorities due to worsening smog situation in the city.
Public concerts and other celebratory events will not be allowed on the ever due to security reasons and threats of Omicron variant.
It is to mention here that aerial firing is strictly banned across Pakistan as celebratory firing causes causalities and injuries after people got hit by stray bullets.
Last year, at least 20 people had been injured during multiple incidents of aerial firing on New Year’s Eve in Lahore.
Meanwhile, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Punjab Rao Sardar Ali Khan has directed supervisory officers to maintain law and order on eve of New Year night across province.
He directed all RPOs, CPOs and DPOs to wreak crack down on those involved in making, buying and selling flammable substances in all districts.
Rao Sardar Ali Khan said that one wheeling, aerial firing and hooligans should be put behind bars on New Year’s night. He said that strict action should be taken against the workshop owners who were causing noise and environmental pollution by removing silencers of motorcycles, vehicles and Ching Chi rickshaws on New Year’s night.
The IG Punjab directed that those found in the sale and purchase of drugs, especially ice (meth) and sheesha should be arrested throughout the province. He directed to intensify operations against manufacture, sale and purchase of poisonous liquor.
The IGP directed the police of all districts to run an awareness campaign among the citizens before the New Year night and said that the citizens should be made aware of other violations including aerial firing, one wheeling, fireworks and the punishments to be meted out to them.
Rao Sardar Ali Khan directed that special squads should be formed in Lahore, Rawalpindi, Multan, Faisalabad and Gujranwala and other major cities on the eve of New Year’s night for taking action against law breakers.
