The Punjab government has proposed amendments to laws regarding child marriage, extending the term ‘child’ to individuals under 18 years of age, and imposing strict penalties for flying kite through amendments to the Kite Flying Prohibition Ordinance 2001.
The proposal was shared by Punjab Finance Minister Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman during the fifth meeting of the Cabinet Standing Committee on Legislation and Enforcement at Darbar Hall on Thursday. The provincial minister stated that the aim of amending the Child Marriage Act 1929 is to deter the division based on caste foundations among children. Amendments to the ordinance against kite flying aim to curb the circulation of kites as lethal weapons, particularly targeting children who are often unaware of the severity of the issue. The actual culprits of kite flying, kite makers, string manufacturers, and those who introduce them to the market, will face consequences of the law.
He directed the Police Department to report on the progress made in curbing kite flying during the next meeting, including the number of actions taken and fines imposed.