KARACHI: As the nation is all set to welcome 2025, First Lady Aseefa Bhutto Zardari appealed to the public to avoid a "deadly" act of aerial firing on the New Year's Eve which could turn celebration into tragedies.

Aseefa, daughter of President Asif Ali Zardari, started a trend on X -  CelebrateResponsibly and  SayNoToAerialFiring - to spread awareness among the masses ahead of the new year's celebrations.

"When ushering in the New Year, remember to CelebrateResponsibly," the Pakistan Peoples Party's lawmaker wrote.

"Aerial firing is not just reckless its deadly. Your stray bullet can end an innocent life, turning celebration into senseless tragedies," she adding. "Choose safety, and let everyone enjoy and celebrate the New Year in peace. #SayNoToAerialFiring," she concluded.

Aseefa's campaign earned praises from netizens and the masses as it garnered hundreds of likes and reposts. Unfortunately, every year on the eve of New Year, scores of people get injured or killed in celebratory firing despite the authorities' taking different measures.

Sindh's senior minister Sharjeel Memon also took forward Aseefa's campaign and said in a statement that people should celebrate the new year but they must avoid aerial firing.

He added that the government was taking strict actions to curb such incidents and appealed to the public to assist the administration to create a safe environment.

In the Sindh capital, local administration has imposed Section 144 with a complete ban on arms, aerial firing and use of fire crackers for a period of two days besides promising strict actions against the violators.

Like other parts of the world, the country would celebrate the arrival of 2025 tonight with joy, music, and spectacular fireworks displays lighting up the skies.In Pakistan, the festivities are more private and subdued compared to public events.

Published in The Daily National Courier, January, 01 2025

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