RAWALPINDI:
The growing trend of children spending Eid money on toy guns has raised serious concerns as stalls selling such toys were set up across streets and neighborhoods during Eid.
Toy guns, ranging from pistols to replicas of modern weapons such as rifles, Kalashnikovs and machine guns, were openly sold at inflated prices.
These toys were available between Rs100 and Rs300, while ammunition packs were sold for Rs50 to Rs80.
Children were seen playing “cops and robbers” and staging fake encounters in the streets after buying these toys. The trend has been termed alarming by citizens and observers.
Parents and authorities remained silent spectators despite the widespread sale. Observers noted that children’s growing interest in gun-based 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 contributed to this trend and called for legislation banning the production and sale of advanced gun toys, 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 disputes in Rawalpindi, police said on Sunday.
According to police, the body of a 42-year-old man, identified as Rashid, was found by the roadside in Rattala Jabr area within the jurisdiction of Gujar Khan police station. He had been shot and killed.
In another incident in Scheme II, also within the limits of Gujar Khan, a dispute escalated into gunfire when suspects, including Azan, allegedly opened fire, killing Gultasb. His brother Mumraiz, son Bilal and cousin Yasir sustained injuries. A passerby, 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 his mobile phone repaired when the incident occurred. The assailants fled the scene while firing.
In a separate case in Pind Gondal, under the jurisdiction of Taxila police station, an argument allegedly stemming from a domestic grievance led to the fatal shooting of Dilnawaz.
