KARACHI: Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) Honorary Secretary General Dr SM Qaisar Sajjad said on Tuesday that PMA had always shown its concern over the basic right of life and health of the people of our country, whenever it is violated.

In a statement, he said: “We want to draw the attention of the government towards nuisance incidents of jubilant aerial firing occurring all over Pakistan. As a result, innocent people die or get injured. “Over the years, the trend of aerial firing, on chand raats, New Year’s Eve, Independence Day, Weddings ceremonies, Victory celebrations especially by Political Parties and other celebrations, has gotten stronger. This celebratory firing results in grief for others, killing and injuring innocent people. The survivor of this firing mostly suffers from paralysis. This is all due to the negligence of our institutions, which are responsible for protecting lives of people of Pakistan,” he said.

PMA leader said that how long will the citizens suffer from these merrymakers? It is time to get rid of this menace. The authorities concerned had never taken it seriously and they never came up with a zero-tolerance policy for celebratory gunfire.

“This is entirely the responsibility of the Government to protect the lives of the people of Pakistan. We had requested the past regimes and have already requested the present regime to deal strictly with the menace of aerial firing. We have once again written a letter to the Prime Minister of Pakistan and have demanded to put complete ban over this ugly tradition of aerial firing for any celebration to save the lives of the innocent people. (The letter is attached herewith),” the PMA leader added.