Grooms face terror charges over wedding fireworks

Karachi
Two newly-wed brothers in Karachi could be facing lengthy prison sentences after police arrested them on terrorism charges for letting off firecrackers during their joint wedding ceremony on Monday night.
It is a longstanding, if dangerous, custom at Pakistani weddings to set off fireworks and fire weapons in the air in celebration, but the city police said this time the happy couples went too far.
Police officer Abbas Golarchi, who booked the grooms along with three other people, told AFP on Tuesday they were charged under the explosives provisions of anti-terrorism legislation.
“Very powerful crackers were being used during the marriage ceremony creating fear in the neighbourhood,” he said.
Golarchi said the charges are non-bailable and the five arrested are in police custody awaiting a remand hearing expected on Wednesday (today).
If found guilty, the men could face long prison sentences, or even the death sentence, though this is unlikely as no one was harmed during the celebrations.
Rights campaigners say Pakistan’s anti-terrorism legislation and anti-terrorism courts are frequently misused to prosecute cases that have nothing to do with militancy. Moreover, the local police are often criticised for their heavy-handed approach.