LAHORE, Pakistan: The government of Pakistan’s eastern Punjab province has imposed a ‘complete’ ban on kite flying with severe punishments for the violators after several fatal incidents.
The decision was taken after the provincial assembly on Tuesday passed an amendment bill by enacting the Punjab Prohibition of Kite Flying (Amendment) Act, 2024.
Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman, a lawmaker from the ruling Pakistan Muslim League party, moved the bill in the Punjab Assembly which was passed with a big majority.
The ban applies to transport kites, metallic wire, nylon cord, any other thread coated with sharp objects, or any other injurious material for the purpose of kite flying.
According to the amendments, individuals caught flying kites will face three to five years in jail or a fine of Rs 2 million ($7,200), or both. Failure to pay the fine could cause an additional year of imprisonment.
Kite manufacturers and transporters will face even harsher penalties, with five to seven years in prison or a fine of Rs5 million ($18,000), or both. Failure to pay this fine could lead to an additional two years of imprisonment.
In the case of a child, the violator will be fined Rs50,000 ($ 180) for the first time and Rs100,000 ($ 360) for repeating the crime.
The ban, previously limited to Lahore, has been extended to other cities and will now be enforced province-wide under new legislation. The restrictions are set to take effect ahead of the Basant festival, where kite flying is a traditional activity to celebrate the arrival of spring.
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The use of sharp strings during kite flying has led to numerous fatal incidents. The bill stated, “Dangerous kite flying has caused the deaths of many motorcyclists across Punjab.”
In March last year, a motorcyclist died after a metal string, attached to a stray kite, cut his throat in Faisalabad city. After the tragic incident, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz ordered a crackdown on those involved in the kite-flying business.
The provincial government intensified its crackdown on kite flying by declaring kite making, flying, and transportation as non-bailable offences in August.