October 21, 2002	Monday	Sha’aban 14,1423

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ISLAMABAD, Oct 20: Markets of the twin cities have been flooded with firecrackers and other low-intensity explosive material for Shab-i-Barat, sources told Dawn.

The sources said most of the firecrackers had been smuggled from China, while some were being manufactured locally.

Sale and purchase of firecrackers and explosive material are on the rise these days despite imposition of Section 144 CrPC in both cities which prohibits such a business.

As a result of unchecked sale of explosive material, children play with firecrackers, which not only spoils the peace of the citizens but also puts the children’s lives in danger.

These firecrackers are easily available at small shops and general stores in different localities. Hundreds of children are injured while using firecrackers during Shab-i-Barat.

Sources from local administrations of the twin cities told Dawn that some 79 people had lost their lives in the last 20 years in two separate explosions at factories in Rawalpindi where firecrackers were manufactured.

A senior official in the district administration said the first explosion occurred at Bagh Sardaran in 1978 in which about 65 people were killed and over 100 injured.

After this blast the district administration and police were directed by the government to remove all firecracker manufacturers from the city area. However, no practical action was taken by the district administration and the police to stop manufacturing of explosive material in the city areas.

The second explosion took place at Narankari Bazar some four years ago in which 14 people, including four children, were killed and more than 56 injured, the official added.