ISLAMABAD, Jan 5: The Supreme Court on Friday ordered the Punjab government to explain its decision to lift the ban on making, selling and flying kites despite the restraint order issued on the subject in October 2005. On Thursday, the Punjab government had allowed strictly regulated kite flying and allied business during the upcoming Basant festival that heralds the advent of spring starting from Feb 25.

“Prime facie, the decision of the Punjab government appears to be violative of the court direction,” a bench comprising acting Chief Justice Rana Bhagwandas, Justice Saiyed Saeed Ashhad and Justice Hamid Ali Mirza observed at the Karachi registry of the Supreme Court.

Taking exception to the decision of the provincial government, the apex court directed it to submit a report specifying the public safety measures it had proposed to protect the lives of the people during the festival.

Punjab Advocate-General Chaudhry Aftab Iqbal was directed to appear before the court on Jan 22.