In defiance of the district government’s strict ban on kite flying and selling, the Kite Association has announced plans to celebrate Basant on Friday and Basant Night today (Thursday) in Rawalpindi. Despite orders from the Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner (DC) and City Police Officer (CPO) for the arrest of anyone involved in kite-related activities, the association remains adamant about holding the festival.
The local authorities have intensified efforts to enforce the ban, with instructions to all police stations and the Special Branch to apprehend kite sellers and flyers. Special precautions have also been advised for motorcyclists to cover their handles, given the dangers posed by metal-coated kite strings.
Also Read: Kite Flying Association Announces Basant Festivals Despite Government Ban
The Kite Association, however, has declared its determination to proceed with the celebrations. They have also stated that in the event of rain on Friday, Basant will be postponed to February 28. Meanwhile, despite police crackdowns, kites and string rolls continue to be delivered to Rawalpindi, with orders being placed through social media using coded terms.
Police officials have been patrolling streets, issuing warnings through mosque loudspeakers, and even using large ladders to arrest kite flyers from rooftops. In some areas, such as Jhanda Chichi, where police officials’ children are reportedly involved, preparations for Basant are underway.
Chaudhry Iqbal, vice chairman of the Kite Association, has called on the government to focus on shutting down factories producing glass-coated metal string rather than penalizing kite flyers. He argued that the Kite Association is willing to cooperate if safety measures are enforced, such as banning dangerous materials and allowing kite flying in designated open areas.
DC Hassan Waqar Cheema, however, has warned that any individual caught flying or selling kites will face arrest and could be sentenced to up to seven years in prison, with fines ranging from Rs500,000 to Rs5 million. He made it clear that no permission will be granted for Basant Night or for Friday’s celebrations.
