The Punjab Assembly has proposed an amendment to the Punjab Prohibition of Kite Flying Act, calling for kite flying to be classified as a non-bailable offense. The recommendation comes in response to rising incidents of injuries and fatalities caused by kite strings coated with hazardous chemicals.
The motion, presented during a session on Monday, aims to introduce stricter penalties for violators, including immediate arrests and harsher jail terms. Lawmakers emphasized the need for stringent measures to ensure public safety, especially during the festive season of Basant, when kite flying peaks despite the existing ban.
Punjab’s Home Minister, speaking on the proposal, stated, “We must prioritize lives over tradition. The recent spate of casualties due to kite strings highlights the necessity for firm action.”
The move has sparked mixed reactions from the public, with safety advocates applauding the initiative, while cultural enthusiasts argue it undermines the spirit of Basant, a centuries-old festival.
If the amendment is passed, Punjab will become the first province in Pakistan to impose such strict measures against kite flying, making it a non-bailable offense under the law.
Authorities have pledged to ramp up enforcement campaigns, particularly in urban areas like Lahore and Faisalabad, to curtail the illegal sale and manufacturing of hazardous kite materials.
