karachi aerial firing
| |

Karachi aerial firing leaves dozens injured on eve…

Pakistan’s Independence Day celebrations turned tragic in Karachi after celebratory aerial firing injured dozens of people across the city.

According to rescue officials, at least 86 people were injured in separate incidents of aerial firing on the eve of August 14. The victims included 59 men, 17 children and 10 women, highlighting the serious danger posed by the unlawful practice. (Dawn⁠)

The injured were transported to several major hospitals in Karachi for immediate medical treatment. Rescue officials reported that 24 victims were taken to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, while 35 were shifted to Jinnah Hospital. Another 26 people were transported to Civil Hospital. One additional injured woman was taken to a private hospital. (PakTribune⁠)

The incidents were reported from several areas of Karachi, including Lyari, Saddar, Korangi, Malir, Azizabad, North Nazimabad, Nazimabad, Gulbahar, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Orangi Town, Jamshed Quarters and Defence.

The injuries occurred as residents gathered to celebrate Pakistan’s Independence Day. While Independence Day is traditionally marked with flags, decorations, patriotic songs and family gatherings, the use of firearms during celebrations has repeatedly turned festive occasions into dangerous situations.

Authorities have consistently warned citizens against aerial firing. Despite these warnings and existing restrictions, celebratory gunfire continues to occur during major occasions such as Independence Day and New Year’s Eve. Police also launched a crackdown against people allegedly involved in aerial firing in different parts of Karachi. (Dawn⁠)

The danger of aerial firing is particularly serious because bullets fired into the air can travel significant distances before falling. People who are completely unaware of the firing can be struck while standing outside, travelling through the city or even staying inside their homes.

The latest incident also comes after a similarly tragic Independence Day last year. In 2025, three people, including a minor girl, were killed and more than 100 others were injured in celebratory gunfire across Karachi. Authorities subsequently arrested suspects and recovered illegal weapons. (Dawn⁠)

The repeated incidents have renewed concerns about public safety and the enforcement of restrictions against celebratory firing. What some people consider a form of celebration can result in permanent injuries, loss of life and lasting trauma for innocent families.

Independence Day is meant to celebrate Pakistan’s freedom and national identity. However, the injuries reported in Karachi serve as a painful reminder that celebrations should never put other people’s lives at risk.

As authorities continue efforts to control aerial firing, citizens are also being urged to celebrate responsibly. Fireworks, flags, music and family gatherings can create a festive atmosphere without putting innocent people in danger.

The Karachi incidents underline a simple message: patriotism should bring people together, not leave families rushing to hospitals. (Dawn⁠)

Similar Posts

  • | |

    Zardari, Shehbaz among officials depositing gifts …

    President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and other senior officials have deposited numerous gifts received from foreign dignitaries in the Toshakhana. The government has released details of gifts received by senior officeholders during the recent period. The Cabinet Division has also made records of gifts received by public officials since 2002 available on its official website. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said details of deposited gifts are published periodically. He said the records cover gifts received by the president, prime minister, deputy prime minister, federal ministers and other government officials. However, the names of the foreign dignitaries who presented the gifts have not been made public. The Cabinet Division has stated that the valuation of some of the newly listed gifts is still being completed. It has also clarified that the published information is based on records and declarations submitted by individuals and departments. The records show that President Zardari received several valuable and ceremonial items. These included a tea set, sword, golden desert model, woollen overcoat and a Vacheron Constantin Geneve wristwatch. Other gifts listed for the president included a decorative piece, ceremonial sabre set, chessboard, serving bowl and an oil painting. First Lady Assefa Bhutto-Zardari and Bakhtawar Bhutto-Zardari also received jewellery. The records show that both received necklaces. Jewellery sets were also listed among their gifts. Assefa Bhutto-Zardari additionally received a Kumis set. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also received a wide range of gifts. The items included shields, souvenirs, portraits, ties, frames and swords. Some jewellery items were also listed among the gifts received by the prime minister. The records further show several watches, including Rolex and Patek Philippe models. Other items included a coin, traditional dress, clock, sugar bowl and car model. Cups, pens and cufflinks were also among the listed gifts. Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar received several items as well. His gifts included a decorative piece and a traditional Chinese stamp. The records also mention a Burmese string puppet, a Myanmar cultural frame, a Rolex watch, vase, medal and Chinese leather belt. Dar also received an Egyptian statue, pen and cufflink set. Several other federal officials were also listed in the records. Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Khan Cheema received a book about Uzbekistan and a T-shirt. Economic Affairs Secretary M. Humair Karim received a ballpoint pen. Information Minister Tarar was listed as having received a Rolex watch. Several members of the president’s staff also received watches. These included the military secretary, chief security officer, Air ADC, principal staff officer and presidential spokesperson. National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq received a large ceramic jar. Senator Saleem Mandviwalla received a Bvlgari watch. Former NAB chairman retired Lt Gen Nazir Ahmed received a wristwatch and an INTERPOL commemorative book. Deputy Chief of State Protocol Hafeezullah received a Tag Heuer watch. Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi received a Rolex watch and a hand-chased tea set. Prime Minister’s spokesperson for foreign media Mosharraf Ali Zaidi received a Tag Heuer watch. Special Assistant to the Prime Minister for Industries and Production Haroon Akhter received a hand-chased tea set with 24-karat gold plating. The government has said the details of Toshakhana gifts will continue to be uploaded periodically. The Cabinet Division has also placed a disclaimer on the records. It said the information is based on available records and declarations made by officials and departments under the rules applicable at the time.

  • | | |

    Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye set for defence de…

    Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye are expected to sign a joint defence agreement during a trilateral summit in Saudi Arabia, according to media reports. The proposed agreement comes as tensions continue to rise across the Middle East amid the ongoing conflict involving the United States and Iran. The three countries are expected to discuss regional security, defence cooperation and efforts to promote stability. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir arrived in Saudi Arabia on Thursday for a three-day visit. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is also expected to join the summit. The Pakistani delegation was received in Jeddah by Makkah Deputy Governor Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz and Saudi Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Abdulrahman Abdulmohsen Al-Fadley. Prime Minister Shehbaz and Field Marshal Munir also performed Umrah during their visit. The Foreign Office said the prime minister’s visit, scheduled from August 6 to 8, would focus on Pakistan-Saudi relations and major regional and international developments. During the visit, Shehbaz is expected to meet Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Discussions are likely to cover bilateral cooperation, regional security and diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions in the Middle East. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is also part of Pakistan’s diplomatic engagement in the region. Pakistan has been seeking a diplomatic solution to the conflict involving the United States and Iran. Islamabad has also been calling for dialogue and efforts to prevent the regional conflict from spreading further. The proposed trilateral defence arrangement would bring together three countries with longstanding military and strategic ties. It could also strengthen coordination on regional security at a time of heightened tensions. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia already have a separate mutual defence agreement signed in September 2025. Under that pact, aggression against either country is treated as aggression against both. The agreement further strengthened the two countries’ decades-old defence partnership. Pakistan has traditionally provided Saudi Arabia with military training, advisory support and other defence assistance. Saudi Arabia, in turn, has remained an important economic and financial partner for Pakistan and has provided support during periods of financial pressure. The reported trilateral agreement could expand security cooperation beyond the existing Pakistan-Saudi framework and create closer strategic coordination with Turkiye.

  • |

    Pakistan eyes bigger share in global islamic economy

    Pakistan has significant room to expand its presence in the global Islamic economy by introducing innovative Shariah-compliant financial products, strengthening regulatory frameworks and developing specialized professional expertise, Secretary General of the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Development (ICCD) Yousef Hassan Khalawi has said. Speaking at the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) Talk Series on Islamic finance, Khalawi highlighted Pakistan’s structural advantages and said the country was well placed to capture a larger share of the rapidly evolving global Islamic economy. He noted that Pakistan has a large Muslim population, a substantial overseas Pakistani community and an expanding Islamic finance sector. The country also has a growing base of professionals working in banking, capital markets and other financial services, providing a foundation for further development of the industry. However, Khalawi stressed that Pakistan would need to move beyond conventional Islamic finance offerings if it wanted to compete more effectively in international markets. He encouraged financial institutions and regulators to focus on developing innovative products capable of addressing emerging domestic and global demand, particularly through financial technology. Fintech seen as key driver According to Khalawi, fintech could play an important role in making Islamic financial services more accessible, efficient and affordable. Digital platforms can potentially reduce transaction costs while allowing Shariah-compliant products to reach customers who remain underserved by traditional financial institutions. He also emphasized that Islamic finance should not be viewed solely as a mechanism for structuring financial transactions. Instead, he said, the sector should play a wider role in supporting economic growth, social welfare and productive investment. One area with considerable potential is Waqf-based investment. Khalawi suggested that professionally managed and transparent listed Waqf structures could enable individuals to make relatively small contributions that could collectively generate financing for projects in key social sectors. Such models, he said, could help channel funds towards education, healthcare and infrastructure while creating a more organized framework for mobilizing charitable and community-based capital. Agriculture offers untapped potential Agriculture was also identified as an important sector where Islamic finance could make a greater contribution. Khalawi called for the development of specialized Shariah-compliant financing instruments tailored to the needs of farmers, agribusinesses and other participants across the agricultural value chain. Greater technical expertise would also be required to design products that address the specific risks and cash-flow patterns associated with agriculture. Expanding access to appropriate financing could help unlock investment and support productivity in the sector. Interest-free lending and financial inclusion The discussion also examined Qard Hassan, an interest-free lending mechanism that can provide financing to individuals without imposing conventional interest charges. Khalawi said technology could help make Qard Hassan arrangements easier to administer and more accessible to potential borrowers. Digital platforms could reduce administrative expenses, improve transparency and facilitate the distribution of small-scale interest-free loans. He further highlighted the importance of establishing common Shariah standards to promote consistency across the Islamic finance industry. Differences in interpretation and product structures can create challenges for institutions seeking to operate across markets, making greater standardization important for the sector’s international growth. Professional training was another key area highlighted during the discussion. Khalawi stressed that the continued expansion of Islamic finance would require professionals with expertise in both financial markets and Shariah principles. For Pakistan, strengthening regulatory capacity, expanding specialized training and encouraging innovation could help create an ecosystem capable of supporting new Islamic financial products. The SECP discussion underscored the broader opportunity for Pakistan to position Islamic finance as a tool not only for financial-sector development but also for investment, entrepreneurship, social welfare and sustainable economic growth.

  • |

    Arshad Nadeem powers through to Commonwealth Games javelin final

    Arshad Nadeem, Pakistan’s reigning Olympic champion, has punched his ticket to the men’s javelin throw final at the 2026 Commonwealth Games. He came through a tricky qualification round in Glasgow on Thursday to get there. Strong winds made life hard for every thrower in the field. None of them managed to reach the automatic qualifying distance of 84 metres, which made the round unusually unpredictable. Arshad, seen by many as a top medal contender, got things going with a throw of 78.63 metres on his first attempt. His second try was ruled a foul. He then closed out the round with a throw of 75.65 metres. That mark was not enough to hit the automatic cutoff, but it easily secured his place among the twelve finalists heading into Friday. Sri Lanka’s Rumesh Pathirage led all qualifiers with a throw of 82.84 metres. Anderson Peters of Grenada, the current world champion, was next best at 81.29 metres. Only two other athletes crossed the 80-metre line, South Africa’s Douw Smit, who reached 80.64 metres, and England’s Benjamin East, who managed 80.38 metres. India’s Neeraj Chopra, who has long been Arshad’s fiercest competitor, also booked his spot in the final. He started with a throw of 76.28 metres, then pushed further to 79.61 metres on his second attempt to confirm qualification. India actually secured three finalists in total. Rohit Yadav joined Chopra after throwing a best of 78.37 metres, while Yashveer Singh kept improving across his attempts and eventually settled for 78.36 metres. It was not such good news for Pakistan’s other entrant, Muhammad Yasir Sultan. He fouled his first throw, then followed up with attempts of 71.42 and 74.36 metres. Unfortunately, that wasn’t enough to carry him into the final. Friday’s javelin final is scheduled for 7:45 PM Pakistan Standard Time. Pakistan has a long history at the Commonwealth Games, having first competed back in 1954. Since then, the country has amassed 82 medals overall, including 27 gold, 27 silver, and 28 bronze. Its most successful campaign in recent memory came at the 2022 Birmingham Games. A 68-member Pakistani contingent took part across 12 sports and ultimately finished 18th in the medal table with eight medals. That edition also marked one of Arshad’s finest moments. He won javelin gold with a Games record throw of 90.18 metres, delivering Pakistan’s first athletics gold at the Commonwealth Games since 1962.

  • Thai Army Says No Proof China is Resupplying Cambodian Forces

    BANGKOK – The Royal Thai Army stated there is currently no evidence to substantiate claims that China is covertly resupplying Cambodian forces with weapons. The announcement comes amid heightened scrutiny following the Thai military’s capture of a significant cache of sophisticated guided anti-tank missiles from the Chong Anh Ma area in Ubon Ratchathani province, Thai […]

  • |

    Thousands return home in Spain as new heatwave heightens wildfire threat

    Thousands of residents have been allowed to return to their homes after authorities eased evacuation orders in several parts of Spain affected by devastating wildfires. However, officials are warning that a new heatwave expected to hit the country could reignite existing fires and create fresh emergencies as firefighters continue battling dangerous conditions. Restrictions have been lifted in areas across Toledo, Madrid, Ávila and Castellón, allowing many displaced families to go back home after days of uncertainty. In the Madrid region alone, around 24,000 people have been permitted to return, while lockdown measures affecting another 20,000 residents have also been removed. Despite the progress, several fires remain active. One of the biggest concerns is the wildfire near Burgohondo, about 150 kilometers west of Madrid, which has already burned more than 43,000 hectares of land. Authorities say it is now considered the largest wildfire ever recorded in Spain. Across the country, more than 207,000 hectares have been destroyed by wildfires so far this year. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said the coming hours would be critical as firefighters work to bring the remaining blazes under control. He noted that conditions had improved but warned that rising temperatures, low humidity and strong winds could quickly reverse the progress made in recent days. Emergency crews remain on high alert as Spain prepares for its fourth major heatwave of the summer. Fire officials said the Burgohondo blaze had not spread overnight, but they remain concerned that extreme weather could cause new flare ups. Firefighters are focusing on securing a perimeter stretching about 180 kilometers to prevent the flames from spreading into nearby communities and forests. Among those returning home are residents of the towns of Navas del Rey and Chapinería, who had been evacuated earlier in the week. Many families have found damaged homes, destroyed property and lost livelihoods. Chapinería Mayor Lucía Moya said the community faces a long recovery, with many residents needing support to rebuild their lives after the disaster. Some evacuees are still unable to return. Around 300 people displaced from the nearby Tiétar Valley continue to stay in temporary accommodation provided by local authorities. Officials have pledged to maintain support services until it is safe for everyone to go home. While no deaths have been reported in the fires near Madrid or Castellón, authorities confirmed that a woman injured in an earlier wildfire in Almería has died in hospital. The Almería fires, which occurred earlier this month, claimed the lives of 14 people, including citizens of the United Kingdom, Belgium, the United States, France and Spain. Wildfires are also creating challenges elsewhere in Europe. In neighboring France, firefighters continue to monitor large blazes in the Gironde region, where several flare ups have occurred despite efforts to stabilize the fires. Authorities have warned that temperatures could reach 41 degrees Celsius, with dry winds increasing the risk of further outbreaks. Special protection measures have also been introduced around defense and aerospace facilities located in the affected area. Portugal and Greece are facing similar threats. Emergency crews in northern Portugal are working to contain an active wildfire near Valpaços while protecting nearby infrastructure, including a water treatment plant and a gas storage facility. In Greece, firefighters are responding to blazes on the island of Paros and in the southern mainland region of Trifylia. Scientists continue to warn that climate change is contributing to longer and more intense heatwaves across Europe. Rising temperatures, prolonged dry conditions and stronger winds have increased the frequency and severity of wildfires, making firefighting operations more difficult and placing greater pressure on communities across the continent. Authorities are urging residents in high risk areas to remain cautious as extreme weather conditions are expected to continue in the coming days.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *