LAHORE: Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Saturday ordered a crackdown on those involved in kite flying, resulting in loss of precious human lives.

She expressed her indignation over the frequent occurrence of kite flying despite a ban on the activity.

She directed the police and district administration to take a stern action against those found violating the kite-flying ban.

A notification has also been issued in this regard.

Ms Nawaz has sought a report from Punjab IGP on the death of a youth due to kite flying in Faisalabad. She directed him to submit the report within 48 hours after identifying the elements responsible for the death of an innocent youth.

IGP directs officers to show zero-tolerance

“Despite imposition of a ban on kite flying under the Punjab Prohibition of Kite Flying Ordinance 2001, such occurrences across Punjab are highly deplorable and a crackdown must be launched on those found involved in committing violation of the kite-flying ban,” the CM said.

Acting on the CM’s direction, IGP Dr Usman Anwar has issued orders to all supervisory officers to speed up measures to check kite flying across the province.

He also directed that CCPO, RPOs, and DPOs should ensure the implementation of the Anti Kite Flying Act.

The IGP ordered indiscriminate action against kite flying, selling and manufacturing of metallic strings. He added that those involved in the online trade of kites and metallic strings should also be brought to justice.

A Punjab Police spokesman said that in the last 24 hours, 39 persons were arrested by police, registering 38 cases for violation of the Anti-Kite Flying Act across the province.

He added that 761 kites and 57 metal string spools were recovered from the possession of the arrested suspects.

He further said that during the crackdown that has been ongoing since February 26 across the province, 2,257 cases have been registered against kite flyers and 2,411 people detained. He added that 44,001 kites, 2,027 metallic string spools were also recovered from the possession of the suspects.

Published in Dawn, March 24th, 2024