LAHORE: The All Pakistan Kite Flying Association has appealed to the chief minister to chalk out fresh rules for kite flying and issue orders for establishment of a ‘Kite City’ away from urban areas.

It said the move would not only bring huge foreign exchange in the province, but also supplement government efforts aimed at promoting tourism.

All Pakistan Paper Merchants Association and All Pakistan Kite Flying Association Chairman Khwaja Nadeem Wayeen made the appeal while addressing at a meeting attended by people associated with the kite flying industry from Lahore, Kasur, Gujranwala, Okara, Sheikhupura, Faisalabad and other areas of the province.

All Pakistan Kite Flying Association suggests setting up of ‘Kite City’

Wayeen said thousands of women were earning their living by making kites at home, but now they were out of work due to the ban on kite flying. He said around 150,000 people in Lahore, 100,000 in Gujranwala and 80,000 in Kasur associated with kite flying had lost employment and were facing hunger.

He further said some unfortunate incidents had taken place due to the involvement of elements with vested interests, and the cultural activity became a bloody game. But instead of dealing with those elements with an iron hand, the festival was done away with altogether. He said a ban was no solution to the problem.

Wayeen appealed to the chief minister to review rules and regulations for kite flying and order establishment of ‘Kite City/Kite Flying Zone’ at a safe place outside Lahore that would not only revive employment of millions of people, but also undo the negative image of the country.

Published in Dawn, December 1st, 2015