LAHORE, Dec 15: The Punjab government is actively considering lifting a ban on kite flying and related businesses. The government is of the view that the ban has dampened the spirit of centuries old festival — basant.

The Punjab government had to ban kite flying last year following a series of deaths in accidents involving twine.

The ban was imposed under directions from the Supreme Court, which had taken a suo motu notice of the killing of people in twine-related accidents. The government had nevertheless relaxed the ban on the occasion of basant but it had to re-impose it following more deaths.

As kite flying is the main component of basant, a number of Lahorites had nevertheless indulged in the sport despite a police crackdown.

Before basant, the government had also promulgated an ordinance on Jan 22, 2006, to regulate kite flying and prevent sale of dangerous twine. But there was a complete ban on the sport and its related business since then.

Sources told Dawn on Friday that departments concerned were trying to evolve a consensus among all stakeholders on how to once again make the sport harmless.

“It is necessary to save the sport because it generates an annual Rs2 billion revenue only in Lahore on the occasion of basant, which also needs to be protected as it has become an international event,” they said.

The dominant view was that the deaths had been caused by irresponsible actions of some people who should not be allowed to destroy the festival and the kite business providing livelihood to thousands of families.

They said the intention was to allow only original form of kite flying and discourage dangerous trends. The stakeholders whom the government was consulting included citizens of Lahore, traders and legal experts.

They said the consensus so far was to ban production and sale of thread beyond certain strength, restrict (reduce) the size of kites, revive traditional manjha (coating on twine).

The other ideas were to licence the sale of kites and specify areas for kite flying outside the Walled City, they said.

If agreed, kite flying would be allowed only one month before and one month after basant, they said, adding during this period it would only be allowed on holidays or weekends.

There was also a proposal to involve local governments to secure guarantees from string manufacturers that they would produce only the permitted material, they said.

They said the entire system would be brought under a legal regulatory framework after consulting the Supreme Court.

“The ban will, however, be lifted on firm assurances from all stakeholders,” the officials said.

They said the departments concerned were holding meetings on the issue and had already consulted manufacturers of kites and string. The next meeting would soon be held by elected representatives of various localities to seek their opinion. Finally, a seminar of all stakeholders would be held to evolve a consensus.