PESHAWAR, April 4: The NWFP Assembly on Tuesday unanimously adopted a bill, banning kite-flying in the province. It will come into force with immediate effect. Under the bill, any person who flies, manufactures, sells kites and related materials would be imprisoned for a term “not exceeding three months” or a fine up to Rs 40,000 or both.
Minister for Local Government and Rural Development Sardar Mohammad Idrees tabled the bill on behalf of the law minister.
The NWFP governor had promulgated an ordinance last month, banning kite-flying and related activities.
Under the bill, kite-flying at any place with or without metallic wire, nylon cord or any other sharply coated thread is banned.
The bill reads, notwithstanding anything contained in any other law in force, an offence under this act shall be cognizable and non-bailable and may be tried summarily under Chapter XXII of CrPC.
The bill adds that district nazims concerned may, through a notification issued with prior approval of the government, lift the ban at specified places for a 15-day period during the spring season. Earlier, parliamentary leader of People’s Party Parliamentarian Abdul Akbar Khan highlighted the standoff between the governor and the chief minister.
He said: “We will not allow anybody to usurp our powers. If anyone tries to do so, we will resist him with full might,” adding that under Article 128 of the Constitution, the governor had the authority to promulgate an ordinance, but the ordinance was validated in the shape of a bill from the elected legislature.
Under the Constitution, he said, the governor was bound to convene a session in accordance with the date, time and place mentioned in the summary.
The house offered prayers for late Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto on his 27th death anniversary. ANP’s parliamentary leader Bashir Ahmad Bilour turned the attention of the house in this regard.
Minister for Irrigation Hafiz Akhtar Ali offered prayer for the departed soul of Z.A. Bhutto. The speaker prorogued the session indefinitely.
AFGHAN REFUGEES: The Commissionerate for Afghan Refugees has asked inhabitants of the Kacha Garhi camp to vacate the camp by the end of this month.
Commissioner Sahibzada Mohammad Anees told refugee elders here on Tuesday that the commission, had decided to wind up the camp by the end of April, says a press release. He asked the elders to abide by the decision. The government served notices on over 50,000 dwellers to leave the camp by April 30. The camp elders had sought a one-year extension.
Officials said if refugees failed to go back to their homeland under the UN-sponsored repatriation programme they would be relocated to Bannu, Chitral and Dir districts.