LAHORE – The Punjab Home Department has intensified its crackdown on kite flying, announcing stricter laws and penalties for violators. The department has declared kite flying, kite making, and transporting kites as non-bailable offenses in a bid to curb the deadly practice.
In a recent development, the Punjab cabinet approved significant amendments to the 2007 Kite Flying Ban Act.
Under the new regulations, not only kite flying but also the preparation, use and transportation of hazardous materials such as metal strings, wire, sharp strings, and glass-coated strings have been made criminal acts.
According to the revised law, anyone caught flying kites will face imprisonment ranging from 3 to 5 years or a fine of up to Rs2 million, or both.
In the event of non-payment of the fine, the offender will be subjected to an additional year of imprisonment. Similarly, those involved in the manufacturing and transportation of kites will be liable to 5 to 7 years of imprisonment or a fine of up to Rs. 5 million, or both. Failure to pay the fine will result in an extra 2 years of imprisonment.
Special provisions have also been introduced for minors caught kite flying.
A child caught for the first time will receive a warning, but upon a second violation, the minor will face a fine of Rs50,000.
The third violation will result in a fine of Rs100,000, with the responsibility falling on the child’s parents or guardians if the fine remains unpaid.
In the event of a fourth violation, the child will face punishment under the Juvenile Justice System Act 2018 and could be sent to jail.
The government emphasized that these measures are essential for the protection of human lives, as kite flying, particularly with dangerous strings, caused numerous accidents and fatalities.
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