ISLAMABAD: Fireworks at the sit-in of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) have annoyed the government which directed the police to ensure that such an incident did not take place again, police officials said.

Fireworks in the middle of such a gathering could lead to an accident. Following the direction, the police personnel have stepped up their checking to prevent supply of fireworks into the Red Zone.

The officials said for the last few days, PTI activists were carrying out display of fireworks.

It is feared that since there are a large number of tents in the area, a small spark could ignite fire and lead to casualties.

Besides, the bursting firecrackers could lead to a stampede, as people might think it was an explosion.

Although this practice had been continuing for the last couple of days, the police and capital administration officials verbally asked the organisers of the sit-in to prevent such an activity in the area.

Strict checking is being conducted at the entry points of the Red Zone to intercept transportation of fireworks into the sensitive area.

Activists mostly hide fireworks in their vehicles, which was why they managed to transport them into the Red Zone, an official said.

Fireworks can be detected with the help of sniffer dogs but the capital police do not have such a facility, he added.

Published in Dawn, August 30th, 2014