Sat Feb 08 05:10:19 UTC 2025: ## Punjab Cracks Down on Kite Flying, Banning Basant Festival Amid Safety Concerns

**Lahore, Pakistan** – The Punjab province of Pakistan has implemented a complete ban on kite flying, effectively canceling the centuries-old Basant festival, citing serious public safety concerns. This decision follows the passage of the Punjab Prohibition of Kite Flying (Amendment) Act, 2024, which introduces significantly harsher penalties for all those involved in the kite-flying tradition.

Previously, violations resulted in up to three years imprisonment and a 100,000 rupee fine. The new law increases penalties to five years imprisonment and a 2 million rupee fine for kite fliers, with an additional year added for non-payment. Kite makers and transporters now face five to seven years imprisonment and fines ranging from 500,000 to 5 million rupees, plus an additional two years for non-payment. Minors face escalating fines and potential imprisonment for repeat offenses.

The ban targets the use of metal and glass-coated strings (“maanjha”), which have caused numerous injuries and deaths over the years. Authorities argue the stricter measures are necessary to prevent further tragedies, despite criticism that the ban unfairly targets a beloved cultural tradition celebrated by people of all faiths.

Critics argue that regulation of dangerous strings, rather than an outright ban, would have been a more appropriate response. The ban has already significantly impacted the livelihoods of thousands of kite makers, many of whom are women working in home-based businesses. Estimates suggest the industry previously generated millions of rupees in revenue and employed 1.5 million people across Pakistan.

While some support the ban as a necessary measure to prioritize public safety, others, including kite-flying groups and cultural commentators, express concern about the cultural erasure represented by the ban. Despite previous attempts to regulate kite flying, including a 2005 Supreme Court directive and the use of religious edicts, the practice persists, leading to the current, more drastic measures. The Rawalpindi Kite Flying Association has already announced its intention to defy the ban. The debate highlights the tension between preserving cultural traditions and ensuring public safety.

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