Independence Day’s celebratory aerial firing leaves 70 injured

Pakistan's 78th Independence Day celebrations were marred by incidents of aerial firing in Karachi, leaving 70 people injured.

The injured, including children and two women, were shifted to hospitals for treatment, rescue officials said.

According to rescue sources, aerial firing incidents occurred in several areas of Karachi, including Maripur Road, PIB Colony, Old Golimar, Korangi, Jamshed Quarter, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Lyari, and Malir 15.

In Gulshan-e-Iqbal, 60-year-old Naeem was injured by a bullet from an unknown direction, while three others were injured in the same area, as well as in Nazimabad and Sharifabad.

28-year-old Naseer, 40-year-old Fida Hussain, 26-year-old Abdullah, and a child named Ayan were also injured in the aerial firing incidents in the port city.

The nation is celebrating Independence Day today (Wednesday) with a renewed pledge to work with the spirit of the Pakistan Movement to make the country a true Islamic welfare state. 

The day began with a thirty-one-gun salute at the federal capital and a twenty-one-gun salute at the provincial headquarters.

Buildings and major roads in Pakistan are decorated with colorful lights and green flags, giving the country a festive look.

Islamabad is also adorned with a rainbow of colors to mark the occasion.