ISLAMABAD: The capital administration has banned kite flying, its manufacturing and sale, a notification issued on Monday said.

An official of the administration told Dawn that the decision had been taken keeping in view the risk kite flying posed to the life of motorcyclists particularly to that of children sitting on the two wheelers.

The official stated a number of throat slitting incidents were reported during kite flying season in February and March.

The metallic or nylon string slit the throat of those traveling on two-wheeler within no time, they added.

Besides, children, minors and teenagers, running after drifting kites cut loose in kite fighting, cause road accidents, they stated, adding either they were hit by the motorists or else they collide their vehicle with another one while avoiding the running children.

The decision was taken keeping in view the dangers posed to motorcyclists, particularly children

According to the notification issued from the office of the district magistrate “….. certain section of public indulge in manufacturing/selling kites, kite flying string, sharp Maanjha (string), metallic wire and nylon cord which endanger human life and safety of the general public of district Islamabad.

“…… I, Capt (retired) Mushtaq Ahmed, district magistrate, Islamabad in exercise of powers conferred on me under section 144 CrPC 1898 DO prohibit the manufacturing and selling of kites, kite flying string, metallic wire, and nylon cord within the revenue/territorial limits of District Islamabad.

“Further, the owners/occupants of the house, shops, hospitals, building, etc., shall not allow kite-flying activity on their rooftops.

“This order shall come into force with immediate effect and shall remain in force for a period of two months,” the notification stated.

All the strings being used in the kite flying were harmful and cut the human body part, especially the metallic wire which has been considered extremely lethal, they stated, adding that electrocution incidents are also reported when the metallic wire comes into contact with high tension wire.

Teams have been constituted for implementation of the ban, they stated, adding that markets and shops would be searched to curb the manufacturing and selling of kites and its other related items.

In a crackdown on kite sellers in Taxila and Wah, police arrested three people and recovered huge quantity of kites from their possession.

The police have registered cases against the men under section 4 of the Kite Flying Act, 2006.

Published in Dawn, February 14th, 2017