ISLAMABAD: The police have turned to prayer leaders to curb kite flying in the capital, after the concerned authorities failed to do so.

Christian and Muslim prayer leaders have been approached to educate people on the consequences of kite flying during sermons and after daily prayers, police officials said.

The police sought their assistance after the armed forced raised concerns about the security of fighter aircraft and helicopters rehearsing in the capital’s airspace for the Pakistan National Day Parade on March 23, they said.

The capital administration banned kite flying in January due to injuries and deaths caused by the activity. Officials said the Islamabad deputy commissioner had imposed the ban under CrPC section 144, and empowered the magistrate, assistant commissioner and police to take action on the sale and purchase of kites, thread and coated string.

The police have thus far have traced five shopkeepers involved in selling kite flying paraphernalia since the ban was imposed, police said, while the capital administration officials – magistrates and the assistant commissioner – have done little to implement the ban.

They said that as a result kite flying has continued in the capital.

A senior police officer told Dawn on condition of anonymity that armed forces officials had raised concerns about kite flying. Fighter aircraft and helicopters have been flying low over the capital, and will continue to do so until March 23, he added.

He said the capital administration and police were asked to stop the activity, which put the aircraft and crew at risk. He said a strategy to this end was prepared under which prayer leaders were approached to help end kite flying.

He said prayer leaders from 10 churches and 52 mosques and imambargahs in various sectors, including G-8 and G-9 – where aircraft have been flying – were approached for help immediately.

A handout was also distributed to read during sermons and after daily prayers, he said, and parents have been advised to keep children from flying kites.

He said legal action would be taken against those involved in flying kites.

Leaders have also been asked to tell people not to give children money to buy kite flying paraphernalia, and to help identify people selling such items.

Published in Dawn, March 18th, 2018