LAHORE: The Punjab Assembly’s Standing Committee on Home Affairs on Monday cleared the Punjab Regulation of Kite Flying Bill 2025, proposing a near-total ban on kite-flying across the province, with limited exceptions on specific days and at designated locations, subject to strict conditions.
The proposed legislation seeks to curb fatal accidents, injuries and property damage associated with hazardous kite strings. Its approval by the committee comes months after the Punjab government lifted an 18-year ban on the Basant festival, which is scheduled to be celebrated in February next year. The festival had been prohibited in 2007 following a surge in deaths and serious injuries caused by sharp and metallic kite strings, particularly among motorcyclists and pedestrians.
Under the bill, the use of metallic wires, nylon cord, or strings coated with glass or other sharp materials is strictly prohibited. The legislation also bans the manufacturing, transport, storage and sale of kites and strings deemed hazardous. Individuals found flying kites in violation of the law could face imprisonment ranging from three to five years or fines of up to Rs2 million. Those involved in the manufacturing or sale of banned materials may be sentenced to five to seven years in prison and fined up to Rs5 million.
All offences under the proposed law are to be cognisable and non-bailable.
The bill authorises deputy commissioners to allow “permissible kite-flying” on specified days and at designated locations, subject to government approval and compliance with safety conditions. However, the use of sharp or metallic strings will remain prohibited under all circumstances.
Special provisions address the involvement of children in kite-flying. Minors will be dealt with under the Juvenile Justice System Act and face fines of Rs50,000 for a first offence and Rs100,000 for repeat violations. Parents or guardians will be held financially responsible in case of non-payment.
You May Also Like: Peshawar High Court Grants Interim Relief to Afghan Student in Medical College Admission Case
The proposed law also introduces mandatory registration for kite manufacturers, traders, sellers of permissible kite-flying materials and kite-flying associations. Police officers not below the rank of sub-inspector will be empowered to arrest offenders without a warrant, conduct searches and seize illegal materials. To encourage enforcement, the bill includes a whistleblower reward of up to Rs5,000 for providing credible information leading to action against violators.
The bill empowers deputy commissioners to allow “permissible kite-flying” on specific days and at designated locations, subject to government approval and strict conditions.https://t.co/DUKSBYgioz
— Dawn.com (@dawn_com) December 15, 2025
If enacted by the provincial assembly, the legislation will repeal previous kite-flying ordinances and establish a uniform regulatory framework across Punjab.
Kite-flying has long been restricted in the province due to repeated fatal incidents. In recent years, several deaths, including those of motorcyclists and children, have been linked to sharp and metallic strings, prompting successive crackdowns by the provincial government and renewed calls for stricter regulation.
