Two newly-wed brothers in Pakistan could be facing long prison sentences after police arrested them on terrorism charges for letting off firecrackers during their joint wedding ceremony.
It is a longstanding, if dangerous, custom at Pakistani weddings to set off fireworks and indiscriminate aerial firing in the air for “celebration”, but police in Karachi said this time the happy couples went too far.
Police officer Abbas Golarchi, who booked the grooms along with three other people, told the media today they were charged under the explosives provisions of anti-terrorism legislation.
“Very powerful crackers were being used during the marriage ceremony creating fear among the neighbourhood, a densely populated area of the city, “Abbas Golarchi said.
Golarchi said the charges are non-bailable and the five arrested are in police custody awaiting a remand hearing expected tomorrow.
If found guilty they could face long prison sentences or even the death sentence, though this is unlikely as no-one was harmed during the joint wedding celebration.
