April 11, 2008	Friday	Rabi-us-Sani 4, 1429

KARACHI, April 10: A large number of people residing in several high-rise apartment buildings and houses in Gulshan-i-Iqbal’s blocks 13-D and 13-D/1, were forced to spend a restless night due to firing into the air at a musical function held in the vicinity of Hasan Square Extension, which continued till 4am on Thursday.

The entire area reverberated with the sound of gunshots all night long creating panic among the residents who were already frightened due to the violence that had erupted across the city earlier during the day. They were under the impression that violence had once again erupted in the city.

Children and elderly people, particularly those suffering from some cardiac problems and hypertension, were the worst sufferers. Criticising the area police for not taking any action against those who indulged in firing almost throughout the night at the cost of their sufferings, residents of the affected locality said that it was beyond their comprehension that why the area police acted as silent spectators despite the fact that there had been a ban on firing into the air at wedding and other functions.

They also complained that it had been often observed that the area police never took any action against those who resorted to firing at such ceremonies. Whenever they were informed about such nuisance taking place in the locality, they asked some unnecessary questions such as the number of their house and telephone etc. from the complainant and would never bother to take any action against those who indulged in such illegal and immoral activities, he said.

The area people urged the authorities concerned to direct the police to take severe action against those who resorted to aerial firing so that citizens could heave a sigh of relief.