Punjab govt makes registration compulsory for kite makers, sellers

LAHORE: The Punjab Assembly’s Standing Committee on Home Affairs has approved the “Punjab Kite Flying Ordinance 2025”, paving the way for its passage in the upcoming assembly session. The Punjab governor has already given his approval for the ordinance.

Under the new regulations, district deputy commissioners will have the authority to grant permission for kite flying in their respective areas, following approval from the government.

The ordinance mandates registration for all kite makers and sellers, with deputy commissioners responsible for overseeing the registration process.

Unregistered kite makers, sellers, or anyone producing or distributing kite strings will face up to five years in prison and a fine of Rs500,000.

Kite-flying associations and clubs will also be required to obtain registration.

The ordinance imposes a complete ban on metallic strings, fast-flying strings (tundi), and sharp manja, which have been responsible for numerous injuries and accidents during kite-flying season.

Anyone found making or selling prohibited strings will face up to five years imprisonment and fines of up to Rs2 million.

The bill is expected to be presented for approval in the Punjab Assembly in its next session, bringing a formal legal framework to regulate kite flying in the province.

Earlier, the Lahore High Court (LHC) asked the Punjab government to submit its response by December 22 regarding the allowing of kite flying in the province.

LHC Justice Owais heard the application filed by the Judicial Activism Panel (JAP), which challenges the Kite Flying Act 2025. The petition contends that the Punjab government issued the ordinance allowing Basant celebrations without approval from the provincial assembly.

The petitioner has raised concerns over public safety, citing multiple fatalities in past years caused by kite flying.

The Punjab government, along with the Punjab Police Inspector General and other relevant authorities, have been made respondents in the case.

The petition argues that permitting kite flying again could lead to repeated accidents and endanger citizens’ lives.

The case had been filed after Punjab kicked off efforts to revive Basant, the spring festival historically celebrated with kite flying.

The festival had been banned since 2007 following a series of deadly incidents, including injuries from metallic or chemically treated kite strings.