The Islamabad Capital Territory administration has enforced a toy horns ban in the federal capital as the nation prepares for Independence Day. The sale, purchase, and use of honking toy horns are now prohibited under the ban. According to a notification issued by Islamabad Additional District Magistrate Usman Ashraf, the ban comes into effect immediately and will remain in place for ten days.
The toy horns ban is imposed under Section 144 as local traders set up stalls to sell celebratory items like flags, badges, and other goods ahead of Independence Day. The notification, issued by Additional District Magistrate Usman Ashraf, clearly states the prohibition. “I, the additional district magistrate of Islamabad, hereby prohibit the stock, sale, purchase, and use of toy horns/whistles in Islamabad, as it is likely to disturb public peace and tranquility and cause public nuisance within the Islamabad District,” it reads.
The administration has noticed that the noise of these toy horns disrupts the flow of vehicular traffic in the federal capital. In light of this, Islamabad’s Deputy Commissioner Irfan Nawaz has also urged citizens to refrain from using toy horns. He has asked stall owners to stop selling them and directed all assistant commissioners to confiscate these honking toys from the stalls.
“Using or selling a toy horn can lead to legal trouble,” the official warned, asking the public to comply with the directives.
Last year, a judicial magistrate’s court in Karachi also ordered action against sellers and users of toy horns as Independence Day approached. In 2022, a Lahore resident, fed up with the noise during Independence Day celebrations, filed a petition in the Lahore High Court (LHC) seeking a ban on plastic toy horns and whistles. However, the court dismissed his plea.
The country is set to celebrate its 77th Independence Day on Wednesday with traditional enthusiasm and fervor.
