ISLAMABAD: The Punjab Assembly Standing Committee on Home Affairs on Monday approved a new ordinance regulating kite flying, setting the stage for lawmakers to endorse the measure in the next assembly session as the provincial government moves toward reviving the Basant festival after a 25-year ban.
The Punjab Regulation of Kite Flying Ordinance 2025 has already received approval from the governor, with the provincial administration announcing earlier this month it would allow Basant to be held from Feb. 6-8.
The festival once drew thousands to rooftops across Lahore and other cities in the province, but from 2005 onwards authorities repeatedly prohibited kite flying after dozens of people, many of them children, were killed or injured by metal and chemically coated strings that slashed motorcyclists and pedestrians.
“It is necessary to provide for regulation of kite flying in Punjab in order to save human life, public and private property and matters connected therewith,” the ordinance said.
Under the ordinance, kite makers, sellers and kite-flying associations must register with the deputy commissioner, and kite flying may only be permitted in districts where the government issues a formal notification.
District authorities may allow kite flying only with prior approval from the provincial government, the text said.
The ordinance also imposes up to five years’ imprisonment and fines of up to 2 million rupees ($7,200) for manufacturing, transporting or selling prohibited kite strings, including metallic wire, nylon cord (tandi) or chemically coated sharp string.
Unregistered kite production or sale carries penalties of up to five years in prison and fines of up to Rs500,000 ($1,800).
Offences under the ordinance are cognizable and non-bailable.
“A police officer not below the rank of sub-inspector may, upon receiving information regarding prohibited kite material, conduct a search or make an arrest without warrant,” the ordinance said.
The ordinance repeals the Punjab Prohibition of Kite Flying Ordinance 2001 and is expected to be presented to the provincial assembly for formal approval when it reconvenes, officials said.
