RAWALPINDI:
The growing trend of children spending Eid money on toy weapons has raised serious concerns as stalls selling such toys were set up on streets and neighborhoods during Eid.
Toy weapons, from pistols to replicas of modern weapons such as rifles, Kalashnikovs and machine guns, were openly sold at high prices.
These toys were available between Rs 100 and Rs 300, while ammunition packs were sold between Rs 50 and Rs 80.
Children were seen playing “cops and robbers” and simulating encounters on the streets after purchasing these toys. This trend has been described as alarming by citizens and observers.
Parents and authorities remained silent spectators despite the widespread sale. Observers noted that children’s growing interest in gun play reflects a negative trend and requires immediate attention.
Some children said they spent all their Eid money on toy guns and enjoyed playing with them.
Citizens expressed concern that social media and movies promoting violence were contributing to this trend and called for legislation to ban the production and sale of advanced toy weapons, allowing only simple toy guns.
Gun violence claims four lives
Four people were killed and four others injured in separate incidents of violence linked to personal disputes and financial disagreements in Rawalpindi, police said on Sunday.
According to police, the body of a 42-year-old man, identified as Rashid, was found on the roadside in Rattala Jabr area within the jurisdiction of Gujar Khan police station. He had been shot dead.
In another incident in Scheme II, also within Gujar Khan limits, a dispute escalated into gunshots when the suspects, including Azan, allegedly opened fire and killed Gultasb. His brother Mumraiz, his son Bilal and his cousin Yasir were injured. A bystander, identified as Aftab, was also injured after being caught in the crossfire.
Meanwhile, in Dhamiyaal area, a financial dispute turned deadly when suspects, including Shakeel, allegedly shot and killed Faheem Badshah.
Police said the victim had gone to the accused’s shop to get her mobile phone repaired when the incident occurred. The attackers fled the scene while shooting.
In a separate case in Pind Gondal, within the jurisdiction of Taxila police station, an argument allegedly arising from an internal complaint led to the shooting death of Dilnawaz.
