Police in Karachi will deploy drone cameras on New Year’s Eve to curb aerial firing, marking the first time the city will use aerial surveillance to tackle the deadly practice.
Authorities decided on the move as part of a tougher crackdown on celebratory gunfire, which injures and kills people every year across Karachi, ARY News reported.
Police officials said drones will patrol several sensitive neighborhoods, including Liaquatabad, Azizabad, Nazimabad and New Karachi, along with other localities where aerial firing incidents are repeatedly reported. The drones will monitor streets, rooftops and open areas throughout the night.
Officers confirmed that anyone involved in aerial firing will be captured on video through drone cameras. Police will use the footage as evidence and register cases immediately against those identified. Officials believe visual proof will strengthen enforcement and speed up legal action.
More than 16 police stations in Karachi have already received drone cameras. In areas with the highest number of incidents last year, at least three drones will remain airborne at all times to maintain constant surveillance.
Senior police officials said the strategy focuses on prevention as much as arrests. They expect the visible presence of drones over Karachi to discourage people from firing weapons during New Year celebrations.
Police also urged residents to celebrate responsibly and cooperate with law enforcement, warning that aerial firing will be dealt with strictly under the law.
Earlier, Additional Inspector General of Police Karachi Javed Alam Odho announced zero tolerance for aerial firing during New Year’s Eve celebrations.
Speaking to ARY News, Odho warned that those involved in celebratory gunfire would face charges under Section 307 of the Pakistan Penal Code, which relates to Attempt to Murder. He confirmed that police would include this section in FIRs registered against offenders.
Odho said all major roads, including routes leading to Seaview and other popular areas, will remain open. To ensure public safety, police will deploy more than 6,000 personnel across the city to protect lives and property.
He said authorities want citizens to enjoy New Year celebrations but without putting others at risk, and urged people to act responsibly.
Odho also warned that offenders would not evade justice, adding that surveillance cameras would help identify and track those involved in aerial firing.
He cautioned that those booked in such cases could face long-term consequences, including the blocking of national identity cards, passports and other official documents.
The additional IGP stressed that anyone involved in aerial firing would face strict legal action and said police will rely on advanced command and control systems to monitor the city and respond quickly to any
