September 11, 2007	Tuesday	Sha'aban 28, 1428

LAHORE, Sept 10: The Lahore High Court on Monday sought a report from the Punjab government on the number of deaths in kite-flying incidents and the detail of cases against violators.Mohammad & Ahmad Law Company had filed the petition, challenging the Punjab Prohibition of Kite Flying (Amendment) Ordinance, 2007.Petitioner’s counsel Muhammad Azhar told court that deaths had occurred during Basant because the Punjab government failed to comply with the apex court’s orders with regard to a ban on kite flying.

The counsel said the police did not arrest the real culprits who violated guidelines of the apex court and instead registered cases against children.

He prayed the court to undertake contempt proceedings against violators of the Supreme Court’s orders.

He pleaded the court to seek Punjab government’s reply as to how much compensation was given to victims of kite-flying incidents. He said the promulgation of the Punjab Prohibition of Kite Flying (Amendment) Ordinance, 2007, was illegal, un-Islamic and a violation of the fundamental rights guaranteed in the Constitution.

He prayed the court to restrain the governor from promulgating ordinances in conflict with fundamental rights when the provincial assembly had the authority to legislate.

The judge directed the Punjab government’s counsel to inform court about the kite-flying cases heard by the apex court.