Islamabad, 14 August (H.S.): Celebrations for Pakistan's Independence Day turned tragic in Karachi after people allegedly opened fire into the air while marking the occasion with fireworks, leaving a woman dead and at least 94 others injured. The incidents were reported across several parts of the capital of Sindh province, according to an Edhi Foundation spokesperson.
The spokesperson said on Friday morning that the injured included 10 women and 17 children. They were taken to the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Civil Hospital and Abbasi Shaheed Hospital for treatment.
According to reports by The News, Dunya News and Geo News, hospitals provided details of the casualties brought in overnight. Abbasi Shaheed Hospital received 24 patients, including one woman, four children and 19 men. Jinnah Hospital treated 35 people, comprising three children, four women and 28 men. The trauma centre at Civil Hospital treated 26 patients, including 10 children, four women and 12 men.
Officials said aerial firing was reported in several areas, including Lyari, Saddar, Korangi, Malir, Azizabad, North Nazimabad, Nazimabad, Gulbahar, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Orangi Town, Jamshed Quarters and Defence Colony during Independence Day celebrations.
Police said 30 suspects had been arrested from Karachi's eastern, western and central districts in connection with the incidents. The arrests were made within the jurisdictions of Khawaja Ajmer Nagri, Samanabad, Rizvia Society and Sir Syed police stations. Several weapons were also recovered from some of those arrested.
Police said the woman who sustained a gunshot wound later died at Abbasi Shaheed Hospital. The accused, identified as the woman's cousin, was arrested.
Aerial firing during Independence Day celebrations has repeatedly resulted in casualties in Karachi in recent years. In 2025, similar incidents reportedly killed three people and injured at least 75 others. In 2024, nearly 95 people were injured in incidents of celebratory gunfire during Independence Day festivities.
According to Dunya News, as the clock struck midnight and August 14 began, residents of Karachi gathered on streets and rooftops to commemorate the anniversary of Pakistan's independence from British rule in 1947. Celebrations were accompanied by fireworks and aerial firing in several areas.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif extended Independence Day greetings to the nation. He said Pakistan was commemorating the occasion while paying tribute to those who sacrificed their lives for the country amid what he described as a “historic victory”.
Addressing an Independence Day ceremony in Islamabad, Shehbaz said the nation was remembering the sacrifices made by its founding generation. He also described every drop of water concerning Pakistan as an extremely sensitive issue and warned that any disruption by India over water-related matters would draw a strong response.
The prime minister said providing new opportunities for development to the country's younger generation remained the government's foremost priority.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
