RAWALPINDI: Following directives of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, police here have launched a crackdown on kite flyers and chemical string sellers and arrested four persons besides recovering 340 kites and strings.

The chief minister expressed concern over frequent occurrence of kite flying incidents and directed the police to take strict action against those involved in selling and flying kites.

She ordered to adopt a zero tolerance policy about chemical strings and immediate launch of action to ensure implementation of the law.

Such directives to the police to launch crackdown against kite flyers, sellers and chemical strings and aerial firing had been issued by every chief minister in the past. However, kite flying still continues, resulting in the loss of lives or injuries to people.

A spokesman for Rawalpindi police said on Sunday that four people had been arrested and 340 kites and nine string rolls recovered. Cases were registered against the kite flyers and sellers.

The directives were issued by the chief minister while presiding over a meeting in which law and order situation in the province was reviewed.

The provincial police chief briefed the meeting about the law and order situation. The chief minister sought a report on the crime situation on a daily basis and directed the police chief to submit a report after evaluating performance of the police officers.

She said a law existed for eradication of kite flying but even then people were losing their lives because the law was not being implemented strictly. There is a need to undertake steps on a war footing to ensure prohibition of kite flying. Mere registering a case is inadequate. Those involved in the activity should be punished, she said.

Moreover, she said, those involved in molesting children should be awarded strict punishment.

The unending torture incidents of children, servants and domestic violence are highly deplorable, she said in a statement.

Published in Dawn, March 25th, 2024