• Home dept okays bill empowering deputy commissioners to issue permits, with hefty fines and jail over violations
• LHC seeks response from govt on plea against Basant ordinance

LAHORE: The Punjab Assembly’s Stan­ding Committee on Home on Monday cleared the Punjab Regulation of Kite Flying Bill 2025, proposing a near-total ban on kite flying, except on specific days and designated locations after permission, across the province with strict penalties to curb fatal accidents and property damage.

Under the bill, kite flying using metallic wire, nylon cord (tandi) or sharp maanjha (string coated with glass) is prohibited, along with the manufacturing, transport, storage and sale of kites and hazardous strings. Violators involved in kite flying could face three to five years’ imprisonment or a fine of up to Rs2 million, while those manufacturing or selling banned materials may be punished with five to seven years in jail and fines up to Rs5m.

All offences under the proposed law will be cognisable and non-bailable.

The bill empowers deputy commissioners to allow “permissible kite flying” on specific days and at designated locations, subject to government approval and strict conditions. However, the use of sharp or metallic strings will remain banned under all circumstances. The bill also said the motorcycles would not be allowed on the road without safety measures in areas where permission for kite flying had been granted.

Special provisions deal with children involved in kite flying. Minors will be tried under the Juvenile Justice System Act and fined Rs50,000 for the first offence and Rs100,000 for repeat violations, with parents or guardians held financially responsible in case of default.

The proposed law also introduces mandatory registration of manufacturers, traders and sellers of permissible kite-flying material, as well as kite-flying associations. Police officers not below the rank of sub-inspector will be empowered to arrest without warrant, conduct searches and seize illegal materials.

To encourage enforcement, the bill includes a whistleblower reward of up to Rs5,000 for providing credible information about violations.

If passed by the Assembly, the new law will repeal earlier kite-flying ordinances and esta­b­­lish a uniform, province-wide regulatory fra­mework aimed at protecting lives and public safety.

LHC proceedings

Meanwhile, the Lahore High Court has sought a reply from the Punjab government on two civil miscellaneous applications challenging the Punjab Regulation of Kite Flying Ordinance 2025. The applications were filed in an earlier pending constitutional petition by the Judicial Activism Panel that already assailed the ordinance as being in violation of several articles of the Constitution.

During the Monday proceedings, Azhar Siddique, the counsel for the petitioner, argued kite flying held deep historical and cultural significance. In the subcontinent, he said, kite flying had for centuries been associated with Basant and spring celebration.

He said the faulty legislation endangered the right to life, particularly in view of past fatalities caused by metallic and chemical kite strings. The counsel proposed a phased and regulated approach for a ‘safe Basant’, including a strict ban on hazardous strings. Justice Malik Awais Khalid issued notices to the government and sought a reply by Dec 22, when the main petition would also be heard.

Published in Dawn, December 16th, 2025