New law for kite flying proposed; violators to be imprisoned, fined

LAHORE: In another effort to protect people’s lives and allow fans of kite flying to indulge in the activity as well, the Punjab government has proposed increasing the punishment and the amount of penalty for the violations of the kite flying laws in the province.

Court grants bail to Barrister Gohar, Omar Ayub in May 9 rally case

The Department of Local Government has sent a proposal to the provincial government to amend the laws related to kite flying in the province. It has been proposed that an imprisonment of five years along with a fine of Rs 2 million be imposed for the violators of kite flying laws in Punjab.

The local government department also proposed that the punishment and fine should be doubled for the second-time offence.

It is notable here that there are two legislations, rules and regulations regarding kite flying in Punjab. The first one is the Punjab Prohibition of Dangerous Kite Flying Activities Ordinance, 2001 as amended vide Punjab Prohibition of Kite Flying (Amendment) Act, 2009 (the “Act”). The second are the rules i.e. Punjab Kite Flying Rules, 2007 (the “Rules”).

The Kite Flying Act empowered police to crack down on offenders. Despite its existence, no kite-flyer or string-maker has faced substantial punishment.

According to sources, 90 per cent of the fatalities have been attributed to chemical strings causing neck or facial injuries.

Pakistani student murdered in Portugal

The implementation of the Kite Flying Act led to a decrease in fatalities from 2009 onwards. However, the annual toll remains an average of 17 to 20 deaths and 50 to 55 injuries, especially during the spring festival of Basant. – INP