ISLAMABAD: Bans on the display of firearms, the sale and purchase of firecrackers and the public use of loudspeakers and sound systems were violated in the capital as residents celebrated Independence Day.

The capital administration’s bans were violated all over Islamabad, including at major points in the capital’s urban areas. Meanwhile,the police’s earlier claims that they would ensure traffic flowssmoothly and take action against traffic violations also appeared to be lip service.

The administration extended a ban on the sale, purchase, stocking and use of fireworks and firecrackers for another two months on July 15, as they would likely disturb the peace, threaten public life and endanger public property, capital administration officials said.

22 people arrested for selling firecrackers, case registered in one case of firing into the air

Nine cases of fireworks violations have been registered with the Karachi Company, Shalimar, Kohsar, Ramna, Aabpara and Industrial Area police.

In addition, 22 people have been arrested for alleged involvement in violating the ban by selling firecrackers.

A police officer admitted that people bought firecrackers and set them off in open areas and at home while celebrating Independence Day. The sounds of firecrackers echoed in Zero Point, F-9 Park and the Ramna and Shalimar sectors.

Many people gathered at Zero Point, on Faisal Avenue and in F-9 Park at night on Aug 13 and 14, he said, and set off many firecrackers.

The police seemed to have disappeared from these areas, and most officers were on duty at D-Chowk on Aug 14. The police officer said that a team visited the areas but with the large crowd out to celebrate action was not taken on the violation of section 144 against those who bought and used firecrackers.

The ban on displaying and exhibiting firearms was also extended because it was likely to threaten public peace and seriously endanger the life and safety of the public. However, people were firing into the air out in the open and at home both nights.

The officer admitted that celebratory firing occurred all over the capital, but said that this kind of firing was conducted from the roofs of houses and the police were not empowered to enter houses without search warrants.

Such incidents were also reported in open spaces, he said, but shooters left by the time police reached the sites.

A case was registered against a man who was firing into the air in G-7/3 with the Aabpara police.

Many young people also drove motorcycles without silencers, racing and doing stunts on Faisal Avenue, Kashmir Highway, Islamabad Expressway and I.J. Principal Road, but Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) officials were not available to intercept them.

Traffic violations and the use of firecrackers also caused a traffic jam on Faisal Avenue, the expressway and Jinnah Avenue at different times, and police officials were not available to manage the situation and ensure traffic would flow smoothly.

No action has been taken on violations of the ban on loudspeakers and sound systems either.

Inspector General of Police Mohammad Amir Zulfiqar Khan, police spokesperson Assistant Inspector General of Police Sardar Ghias Gul Khan and ITP spokesperson Shams Gill could not be reached for comment.

Published in Dawn, August 16th, 2019