Five-Year Jail Term, Heavy Fines Announced for Illegal Kite Flying

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Monday announced a series of key decisions while addressing a review meeting on the Basant festival, aimed at ensuring public safety and smooth arrangements.

The chief minister said all relevant departments are working together to make Basant safe, adding that a comprehensive traffic plan has been prepared for Lahore.

She said the people of Punjab had been deprived of joy for a long time and that her government was committed to restoring celebrations and highlighting Punjab’s culture in a meaningful way.

CM Maryam said Basant has been celebrated for centuries to mark the arrival of spring and will be observed in Lahore from February 6 to 8. To prevent accidents caused by kite strings, one million motorcycles will be provided with free safety wires.

She revealed that 621 cases were registered ahead of Basant for illegal kite-flying. Strict punishment will be imposed for violations related to kite and string sizes.

The chief minister said the environment of unrest and violence in Punjab had been eliminated.

She announced a complete ban on “charkhi” and metallic strings, warning that use of prohibited strings would lead to up to five years’ imprisonment and heavy fines.

Motorcycles without safety rods will not be allowed to enter red zones.

CM Maryam further said kites larger than 35 inches and gudda exceeding 40 inches will not be permitted.

Kite-flying before Basant will carry a fine of up to Rs2 million.

For traffic management, around 100 traffic police camps will be established across the city.

The government will also provide free public transport, with 500 buses and rickshaws operating free of charge on 24 routes.

Two control rooms will be set up during Basant, while monitoring will be carried out through drones, CCTV cameras and the Safe City system.

She said Basant arrangements have been planned in a safe and organized manner for the public.