Several citizens of Afghanistan have complained about the increased use of firecrackers in recent days. They say the sound of these firecrackers is so loud that it is sometimes mistaken for gunfire, an issue that has created serious concern among the public at a time of recent tensions and attacks by Pakistan. These citizens add that the sudden and loud noise of firecrackers has become one of the factors disrupting their peace, and they emphasize that the Taliban have not paid attention to this issue, while some individuals use these materials at any hour without considering the comfort of others. In conversations with the Hasht-e Subh Daily, these citizens say that their peace is disturbed during the day by the noise of street vendors and at night by the sound of firecrackers. They also stress that the import of firecrackers from neighboring countries should be banned so that people can live in a calmer environment. According to these citizens, if this situation continues and the use of firecrackers is not prohibited, concerns and psychological problems, especially for children and the elderly, will increase, and these sounds could also create conditions for certain anti-security incidents.
In recent months, the nights in the cities of Afghanistan have ended not in calm, but with the loud and disturbing noise of firecrackers for citizens. This phenomenon, which has increased unprecedentedly over the past year at wedding ceremonies, birthdays, and anniversaries, has turned into a serious problem for public comfort.
Asma, a resident of Ghazni whose mother is ill, says that the increased use of powerful firecrackers that produce intense and repeated explosions is not just a simple nuisance, but has also negatively affected the condition of patients. She adds that, unfortunately, event organizers and children use firecrackers at any hour of the night without considering others’ right to peace, rest, and sleep.
This resident of Ghazni says, “When firecrackers are set off at night, they produce a very frightening sound. Imagine my mother, who is ill, sometimes wakes up suddenly and thinks an attack has happened or something has occurred. This has hurt her morale. In a country like Afghanistan, which has experienced years of war, the use of such sounds is not appropriate at all. Moreover, firecrackers contain explosive materials, and their excessive use is harmful to human health.”
Asadullah, a resident of Parwan, says that the spread of firecracker use among the people of this province has caused serious concerns. He adds that some individuals use these materials at night without any fear, and their loud noise has created fear and anxiety among the residents of the province.
This resident of Parwan says, “One of the issues we unfortunately cannot get rid of is the use of firecrackers among people for celebration. In the past, there was aerial gunfire, which has fortunately decreased, but now firecrackers have taken its place, and they produce a very loud noise. Previously, there might have been limited use of firecrackers at events, but now people use them widely and without restriction. In many countries, fireworks are used on specific days and occasions and in designated places, but in Afghanistan, there are no restrictions, and people use them whenever they want, disrupting public order and peace.”
This resident of Parwan adds that in Afghanistan, there is no proper culture for the use of these materials, whereas in other countries, specific times and places are designated for them. He continues: “On the second day of Eid, we had a patient in the hospital, but some individuals were throwing firecrackers near the hospital, which produced very unpleasant noise and disturbed the patients. It is better to impose restrictions on their use because people’s peace is at risk. Most of these materials are not produced domestically and are imported from other countries. On the other hand, the sound of firecrackers can also create opportunities for certain crimes, because it becomes difficult to distinguish real incidents among these noises; therefore, serious attention is needed on this issue.”
Haseeb, a resident of Baghlan, says that the spread of firecracker use in this province has also caused concern among the people. He adds that these materials are used in residential areas and even near hospitals without any restrictions or supervision. In his view, the free use of firecrackers in areas where Taliban forces are present shows that no serious attention is given to preventing their use, even though it brings no benefit to the public.
This resident of Baghlan says, “The use of firecrackers near hospitals, where even the sound of a car horn should not be heard, takes place easily, and this has negative effects on patients, especially heart patients. In a country where poverty is widespread, spending large amounts of money on firecrackers is both a waste of resources and a disruption to public peace. Nevertheless, young people use firecrackers freely even in the presence of the Taliban, which shows that no attention is given to this issue. In many markets, including the Mandawi market in Kabul, these materials are widely available.”
A resident of Kabul, who did not want his name mentioned in the report, says that he also complains about this situation. According to him, after a tiring day of work, when he wants to rest at night, the sound of firecrackers begins.
This resident of Kabul adds, “These sounds are so loud and frightening that if someone does not pay close attention, they think it is the sound of Kalashnikov gunfire. Our people have grown up with the sounds of war, explosions, and shooting, and now these sounds have become a form of entertainment for some.” He also says that previously, the Taliban had set a specific time for the use of firecrackers, and after 9 p.m., their use was prohibited, but now many people do not pay attention to these restrictions and use them whenever they want.
The loud and sudden sound of firecrackers in alleys and gatherings, while having become a symbol of celebration for some, has led many families to complain about the situation. They say the unexpected and intense noise of firecrackers disrupts their peace and has become a source of fear and anxiety.
Previously, the Taliban had announced a ban on the use of firecrackers from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m., but this ban is not seriously enforced, and people use them at any time and place they wish.
You can read the Persian version of this report here:
