Punjab bans kite flying permanently ahead of Basant

Lawmakers in Punjab have passed a new law that permanently bans kite flying across the region, a move that comes just ahead of the long-anticipated Basant festival, traditionally marked by massive kite-flying celebrations. The law, passed on Tuesday, imposes severe penalties for violators, including lengthy prison sentences and hefty fines. Originally imposed in Lahore in 2005 following a series of fatal accidents where bystanders were injured or killed by metal or glass-coated kite strings, the ban was extended to other cities over the years. Under the new legislation, the ban will now be enforced throughout the entire province, with violators facing prison terms ranging from three to five years and fines up to Rs2 million. Similarly, Kite and string manufacturers could face even harsher penalties, with possible sentences of up to seven years and fines as high as Rs5 million. Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman, a lawmaker from the ruling Pakistan Muslim League, introduced the bill, stating that the new measures were essential to protect the public from the dangers posed by unsafe kite-flying practices. Basant, the centuries-old festival that celebrates the arrival of spring, is renowned for its vibrant kite-flying competitions, with participants launching colorful kites into the sky to mark the season. The name "Basant" is derived from the Hindi word for "yellow," symbolising the blooming fields of mustard flowers during spring. Earlier this month, the Rawalpindi Kite Flying Association declared its intent to celebrate Basant on February 13 and 14. The association announced plans for the festivities, which would include "kite flying, loud cheers, and aerial firing," and urged authorities to lift the ban, proposing conditions to regulate the use of dangerous chemical-coated strings. Vice chairman of the association, Haji Iqbal, defended the tradition, emphasizing that Basant is a cultural festival and that the ban was unjust. "We will celebrate Basant in full swing this year," he declared. "By January 31, thousands of kites and strings will be available across Rawalpindi, and sales will also be conducted door-to-door."

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