KARACHI, May 19: The city government has declared as illegal all kinds of business related to explosive materials within its limits, particularly in residential areas, with immediate effect and until further orders. A notification in this regard was issued by the city government on Thursday. According to it, explosive material included gunpowder, nitro-glycerine, dynamite, guncotton, blasting powders, fulminate of mercury or of other metals, and coloured fires.

Every other substance, whether similar to those mentioned above or not and that can produce a practical effect by explosion or pyrotechnic effect would fall in the category of explosive material.

In addition, any substance that appeared dangerous to life or property, by reason either of its explosive properties or that could be used in the process of manufacturing explosive material shall be deemed to be an explosive.

The city government said it was for public safety that it issued the notification thereby prohibiting the manufacture, possession or importation of any explosive.

The notification further said any person manufacturing, possessing, storing and importing explosive material in contravention of the notification shall be punished under the prevailing laws.

The city government has issued the notification under section 141 of the Sindh Local Government Ordinance 2001.

—APP