RAWALPINDI: Residents defied the ban on kite flying on Friday and celebrated Basant while chanting the slogan ‘Bo Kata’, while seven individuals sustained string-cut wounds during kite flying in the garrison city on Friday; besides, a man was hospitalised with a bullet injury he sustained in celebratory gunfire.

Although the Punjab government had imposed a ban on kite flying, most people stayed on their rooftops flying kites until Friday evening. The sky was filled with kites, and the youngsters also flew colourful kites on the rooftops.

Many reported celebratory gunfire during the event. Numerous children were seen running on roads and streets, carrying sticks and bamboo to catch stray kites.

In some areas, traffic congestion occurred due to children running on the roads. Similar to last week, when residents of Lahore celebrated Basant after receiving permission from the Punjab government, residents of Rawalpindi felt discriminated against and continued to defy the ban.

At least seven individuals suffered cuts from kite strings, children choke traffic by chasing loose kites

Despite police filing cases and making arrests against kite flyers and sellers on a large scale, kites were still flown from rooftops. At certain places, skirmishes erupted between police and kite flyers, leading to the arrest of several kite enthusiasts and the recovery of hundreds of kites and strings.

After Friday prayers, a wave of mischief broke out across the city, especially in areas such as Raja Bazaar, Sarafa Bazaar, Naya Mohallah, College Road, Hamilton Road, Sadiqabad, Pirwadhai, Waris Khan, and others.

It was the worst day for motorcyclists, who were more cautious when travelling on the roads and streets of the city centre.

“Due to the ban on kite selling, most people purchased kites and strings from online sources as there was no shop openly selling such items in the city,” said Shujaat Hussain, a resident of Sarafa Bazaar.

“There is no sports activity in the inner city of Rawalpindi, and the government should lift the ban on kite flying so that youngsters can enjoy flying kites from their rooftops,” he added.

Reactions from the public varied, with some believing the government should partially lift the ban on Basant festivities; others felt the government should strictly enforce a complete ban on kite flying. However, most of the city’s residents agreed that the ban should be upheld, citing safety concerns for children. Meanwhile, at least seven people sustained cuts from kite strings across the city on Friday.

Qamar Aslam, 35, a resident of Dhoke Khabba, sustained bullet injury in his head after a stray bullet, believed to be fired by somebody during kite flying.

The injured was shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital (DHQ) where he was stated to be in critical condition.

Five kite flyers were treated for superficial cuts of kite flying string they sustained in different parts of the city. The injured were brought to the District Headquarters Hospital from Pirwadhai, Dhoke Banaras and Dalal.

After the first aid, they were allowed to go home as none of them was in critical condition, said a doctor.

Published in Dawn, February 14th, 2026