Kite Association Announces Basant Celebration Despite Strict Ban

The Kite Association in Rawalpindi has defiantly announced plans to celebrate Basant on Friday, preceded by Basant Night tonight (Thursday), despite a strict ban imposed by the district government on kite flying and the sale of kites.

In response to the ban, the Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner (DC) and City Police Officer (CPO) have issued orders for the arrest of anyone engaged in kite-related activities on both days. Police stations and the Special Branch have been instructed to enforce these orders rigorously. Additionally, the district administration has advised motorcyclists to take precautions against the dangers posed by metal strings by covering their motorcycle handles.

Despite these measures, the Kite Association has vowed to proceed with Basant festivities at any cost, announcing a contingency plan to postpone celebrations to February 28 in case of rain on Friday.

Reports indicate that despite police crackdowns and raids, a significant quantity of kites and string rolls has already been delivered to Rawalpindi. Orders for kites are being discreetly placed via social media using coded terms for delivery to homes, with kites referred to as “pet animals” and strings as “animal feed”.

Local police officials have been using mosque loudspeakers to discourage kite flying, yet preparations in areas like Jhanda Chichi, where police officials’ children are involved, are reportedly in full swing.

In response to safety concerns, police have intensified measures with motorcycle patrols and equipped officers with large ladders to apprehend kite flyers from rooftops.

Chaudhry Iqbal, vice chairman of the Kite Association, has called for the government to shut down factories producing glass-coated metal strings to mitigate safety risks associated with kite flying. He emphasized the association’s willingness to cooperate if such measures are implemented, criticizing the government for imposing restrictions while benefiting from heavy taxes on kite-related materials.

He urged authorities to prioritize regulating the production of chemical-coated strings rather than punishing kite enthusiasts. Despite the standoff, he clarified that Basant Night celebrations would commence tonight and continue until midnight, with official Basant festivities scheduled for Friday.

Meanwhile, DC Hassan Waqar Cheema reiterated warnings against kite flying, emphasizing severe penalties including imprisonment and hefty fines for offenders. He affirmed that no permissions would be granted for Basant Night or kite flying on Friday, and individuals involved would face strict legal consequences, including arrests from rooftops if necessary.