ISLAMABAD: One man was killed and 23 others wounded in aerial firing in Pakistan's southern port city of Karachi, reported the local media on Sunday, as people started celebrating the country's Independence Day on August 14.
Aerial firing is not uncommon in Pakistan on joyous occasions where the practice has claimed lives on several occasions in the past.
Celebratory gunfire is also unlawful, though it is not always possible for the police and other state institutions to implement the rule across the country.
"As the clock struck 12 on the night between August 13 and 14, the city of Karachi erupted into Independence Day celebrations," Samaa, a local news network, reported. "However, some people resorted to aerial gunfire and left one person dead and another 23 wounded."
The local news outlet said the dead and the wounded included people of all ages, adding these individuals were moved to the main hospitals of the city after receiving gunshot wounds.
"Nek Mohamad, 50, was killed near Teen Talwar Underpass by celebratory gunfire." Samaa said.
In an unusual warning, Pakistan Air Force told people earlier this month not to indulge in the practice since it could damage its aircraft.
"Aerial firing during wedding ceremonies and joyous festivals like the independence day not only causes loss of human lives but also sometimes harm the aircraft, which can cause significant damage to the defence capability of the country," it said in a statement.
PAF also noted that aerial firing was a punishable offence, adding that as patriotic citizens it was everyone's duty to avoid it.
