LAHORE; Regulation of Kite Flying Bill, 2025 that has been passed by Punjab Assembly with a majority vote, is meant to protect lives of citoyens.
Kite flying will only be permitted on few occasions, such as basant, and that too from special spots. Kite-flyers using manjha (glass-coated cord), wire or nylon string will face incarceration and heavy fines. Similarly, those fabricating, storing and selling kites sans permission will be send behind bars for 3 to five years. The violators of the rules will also pay heavy penalties (upto two million rupees).
It may be recalled that Punjab government on 3rd Dec, had lifted ban on kite flying during the Basant. Those under the age of 18 will not be able to fly a kite. Groups will have to get themselves registered at DC office. Sellers of kites and cords will be linked to a QR code. It is pertinent to mention here that the ban was imposed due to deaths caused by chemically-coated and metal cords. Hence only harmless cotton threads will be allowed.
It is yet to be seen whether govt will be able to impose the regulations (particularly barring under-18 from taking part in the festivities of Basant). It is pertinent to mention here that a section of extreme-right politicians reject Basant as a festival imported from neighbouring India. Any mischief from the Lahoriites and failure to impose the writ of state, will enable the anti-Basant lobby to get the ban re-imposed.
Till the ban was imposed on Basant, almost 2 decades ago, the event had become a tourist attraction. The festivities were inevitably contributing towards the economy of the Walled City. Many multinationals (including giant pharmaceuticals) were presenting free packages to their valued clients in Pakistan as well as abroad. The gift used to include free air tickets, stay at a traditional house, exotic meals, opportunity of kite flying from rooftops and site-seeing.
Newspakistan.tv
