KASUR, Sept 22: The production and sale of fireworks started one month ahead of Shab-i-Barat despite the ban on this business in the district. According to a survey, dozens of factories in the district are producing fireworks round the clock and employing teenage boys and girls for the purpose.

These factories are situated at Bhata Goryan Wala, Steel Bagh, Qadiwind Road, Peerowala Road, Dingipura, Basti Qadarabad and Qatal Garhi. Last year, on Oct 5, four people were killed and seven injured seriously in an explosion in a fireworks factory on the Peerowala Road. Owners of the factory were challaned but granted bail within a month, and no compensation was given to any of the victims.

Haider Ali who lost his leg in the incident told this reporter that the factory was still functioning. He said he had repeatedly demanded compensation from the factory owner, but to no avail.

After the incident, the Kasur district government imposed a ban on production, storage and sale of fireworks in the district. Despite the ban, two people died of injuries sustained in a fireworks explosion at Phoolnagar in July this year.

The explosion occurred in a factory functioning in a rented house. A case was registered against the owner, but work in the factory was reportedly still in progress. An explosion occurred in a fireworks factory in Khudian on Aug 29, leaving nine people injured.

Human Rights Committee chairman Azeem Ahmad, Kasur Doctors Association patron-in-chief Dr S.M. Safdar, former Bar president Raja Younis Kiani, traders association president Akram Mughal and many social workers have urged the district Nazim, the DCO, the DPO and Tehsil Nazim to take action against the factories still engaged in production of fireworks in the district.