The Karachi Commissioner issued a notification on Sunday imposing Section 144 for 48 hours, starting on December 31, 2024. This measure aims to address the safety concerns associated with the city’s New Year’s Eve celebrations, where incidents of aerial gunfire and fireworks have led to injuries in the past.
On December 31, 2023, then-Commissioner Muhammad Saleem Rajput also invoked Section 144 to ensure the safety of citizens during the celebrations. This legal provision empowers district administrations to restrict public gatherings of four or more individuals for a specified period.
According to the notification dated December 24, Commissioner Syed Hassan Naqvi imposed the ban after receiving information that a large number of young people from various parts of Karachi would converge at Seaview, creating significant traffic congestion and disturbances for local residents.
The notification highlights concerns over the dangerous practice of aerial firing, which could lead to tragic incidents or loss of life.
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The South Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) requested the ban on firearms, aerial firing, and fireworks to “safeguard the precious lives of the citizens.” The notification explicitly states a complete ban on the carrying or display of arms, aerial firing, and the use of firecrackers on New Year’s Eve 2025. This restriction will be enforced within Karachi’s local limits from December 31, 2024, to January 1, 2025.
