KARACHI: Police in Pakistan’s southern port city of Karachi on Sunday warned citizens against driving under the influence on New Year’s Eve, vowing to register cases against people found committing the violation. 

Karachi Police chief Khadim Hussain Rind directed Station House Officers this month to raise awareness about the hazards of aerial firing with announcements from mosques and posters. In the city’s PECHS Block 2 area, the voice of a prayer leader boomed through a mosque speaker, warning people that those who indulge in aerial firing would be sentenced to 7-10 years in jail.

Several people have been injured due to aerial firing during New Year’s Eve in Karachi over the past couple of years. At least 37 people, including two infants and four females, were injured due to aerial firing during last New Year’s Eve in 51 different incidents. 

“Police have prepared a special strategy for New Year’s Eve based on the directives issued by Additional IG Karachi Khadim Hussain Rind and Deputy Inspector General Traffic Police Iqbal Dara,” Karachi Police said in a media release. 

The statement said traffic police personnel have been provided “alcohol inhaler devices” at different points in the city. It added that police personnel would use the devices to check whether citizens were driving under the influence. 

“If any individual is found driving under the influence of alcohol or any other intoxicants, they will be sent to the relevant police station and a First Information Report against them would be registered,” police said. 

Police said they would also confiscate the vehicle of any driver found driving under the influence. 

However, Karachi Police spokesperson Abrar Hussain told Arab News that the Sea View beach, a popular resort for thousands on every New Year’s Eve in Karachi, would remain open to families.

“The Sea View beach will remain open for families to celebrate the occasion,” Hussain said. “To ensure that nothing untoward happens, a large number of police will be deployed.”

Pakistan’s Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar said on Thursday that the government was banning new year celebrations on account of Israel’s war in Gaza, and the massacre of innocent Palestinians in the Middle East. 

He urged Pakistanis to welcome the new year with simplicity and keep the people of Gaza in their thoughts.