PESHAWAR: In an interesting development, Peshawar’s district administration on March 16 imposed a ban on toy guns and firecrackers citing security concerns in the city.
According to details, the authorities have imposed the ban under Section 144 to maintain law and order ahead of Eidul Fitr.
Deputy Commissioner of Peshawar Sarmad Saleem Akram stated that the ban was necessary to prevent potential disturbances and ensuring public safety.
The sale and purchase of firecrackers and toy guns have been prohibited as any violations would result in action under Section 188.
The DC Peshawar also emphasised that the city’s administration would take strict action against those shops selling toy guns.
It merits a mention that traditionally, children and teens often buy toy guns and firecrackers to celebrate the occasion of Eid. Thousands of children can be seen brandishing toy guns, which can fire plastic bullets similar to the real guns.
Shop owners generally have huge stock of toy guns as demand for these go up in the last weeks of Ramadan.
The authorities reportedly wanted to ban the toy guns to eliminate the growing culture of toy weapons allegedly contribute to undesirable social behaviors among children.
Authorities ban on toys will also create financial challenges for the shop keepers. It should also be highlighted that banning of toy weapons is not uncommon for the region. Over the years, authorities have taken strict stance against the toy weapons and aerial firing culture.
Senior officers used to visit major mosques of the cities during Friday prayers to address the worshippers after the sermon to discourage aerial firing and sale and use of toy guns.
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