Punjab lawmakers have permanently banned kite flying across the province, enforcing strict penalties just before the Basant festival. The legislation, passed on Tuesday, aims to prevent accidents caused by dangerous kite strings, which have claimed lives in the past.
Violators now face prison terms ranging from three to five years and fines up to Rs2 million. Kite and string manufacturers could face harsher penalties, with sentences of up to seven years and fines reaching Rs5 million.
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The ban was first imposed in Lahore in 2005 after several fatalities caused by metal or glass-coated strings and was gradually extended to other cities. This new law solidifies its enforcement across Punjab.
Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman, who introduced the bill, stated that the measures were necessary to ensure public safety, despite the cultural significance of Basant.
Meanwhile, the Rawalpindi Kite Flying Association has announced plans to celebrate Basant on February 13 and 14, urging authorities to lift the ban and proposing regulated practices. The association’s vice chairman, Haji Iqbal, called the ban unjust and vowed to celebrate “in full swing.”
