–Don’t indulge in aerial firing, says Asifa Bhutto
All businesses and restaurants in the port city are closed down by 8 pm on New Year’s Eve, directed Karachi Commissioner Navid Ahmed Shaikh on Thursday.
Deliveries will be open till midnight but might take longer than usual because of the traffic.
This decision, which was taken during a meeting to outline the security plans, was made to prevent traffic jams. The official notification said that “owing to security reasons and on the request of the police department […] please ensure the closure of all restaurants and business places at 8 pm on the eve of New Year 2021”.
Shaikh told the police officials to make sure Sea View and surrounding areas are open for the public during the day, with better traffic and security arrangements.
“Police and other agencies shall be deployed at sensitive points to control the mob that might come up to celebrate the event at Seaview,” the notification said.
Furthermore, Sindh Police, Rangers personnel, ambulances, and the fire brigade would be deployed in sensitive areas to ensure the law and order situation.
The commissioner said the relevant authorities would ensure the implementation of pandemic-related standard operating procedures, while Article 144 will be imposed to protect the lives of citizens from aerial firing and other such activities.
Similarly, the Karachi additional inspector general also appealed to citizens to refrain from aerial firing, saying it could result in injury or death to any person and was a crime.
Furthermore, Asifa Bhutto Zardari said in a message on Twitter: “When the clock strikes midnight, don’t indulge in aerial firing! Your stray bullet could end an innocent life. Please don’t make your celebration a cause for grief for someone else.”
