LAHORE: The Punjab government s Kite Flying Ordinance 2025, a far-reaching legal framework aimed at controlling kite flying and eliminating dangerous string, is poised for promulgation next week once the Punjab Assembly session concludes. The ordinance, already approved by the provincial cabinet, cannot be signed by the governor while the assembly remains in session. It will be issued through an official Gazette notification immediately after prorogation and will repeal the Punjab Prohibition of Kite Flying Ordinance 2001.
Reliable sources told Jang that the proposed law declares kite-flying a regulated activity across the province and sets out a series of definitions covering children, guardians, kite-flying materials, permissible activities, places, and hazardous items such as chemically coated or glass-mixed maanjha. It asserts that strict action is needed to prevent injuries, deaths and property damage caused by unsafe kite-flying practices.
The ordinance imposes harsh punishments for violations. Anyone flying a kite illegally or abetting the practice may face three to five years in jail and a fine of up to Rs2 million. Manufacturing, transporting, storing or selling kites or banned string carries even tougher sentences: five to seven years imprisonment, fines up to Rs5 million, and an additional two-year sentence if the fine is not paid. All offences under the ordinance are declared cognisable and non-bailable.
Children violating the law will be dealt with under the Juvenile Justice System Act, with fines of Rs50,000 for a first offence and Rs100,000 for repeat violations. If a child cannot pay, the amount will be recovered from the parents or guardian as arrears of land revenue.
The law lays out a detailed system of registration for manufacturers, traders and sellers of approved kite-flying materials. No one may produce or trade in permissible materials without registration with the deputy commissioner or an authorised officer, upon payment of a prescribed fee. Violators may face one to five years imprisonment or fines between Rs100,000 and Rs500,000. Registered sellers may only deal in materials explicitly permitted by the rules.
Kite flying will only be allowed under permissible kite flying provisions. With prior approval of the provincial government, the deputy commissioner may issue notifications allowing manufacturing, storage, sale and kite flying in specified districts, areas and time periods. However, the use, sale or making of metallic wire, nylon tandi or sharp maanjha will remain completely prohibited. During permitted kite-flying days, motorcycles in that district may not be driven without safety measures prescribed by regulations.
The ordinance also introduces the registration of kite-flying associations, which will operate under rules set by the government. Their registration, along with that of manufacturers and sellers, may be cancelled after a hearing if any provision of the law, rules or regulations is violated.
Enforcement powers have been strengthened. A police officer not below the rank of sub-inspector may arrest without warrant, search any place at any time, use necessary force, and seize material suspected of being used for an offence. The government may authorise any other agency or authority to use the same powers. Searches and arrests will follow the Code of Criminal Procedure, except section 103.
A multi-tier appeal mechanism has been provided: orders of authorised officers may be appealed to the deputy commissioner, orders of deputy commissioners to the commissioner, and magistrates decisions to the sessions court, whose ruling will be final.
The ordinance also includes a whistleblower reward scheme. Commissioners may approve rewards of up to Rs5,000 for individuals providing credible information that helps identify offenders. No reward will be given if the information is already known or proves useless.
The draft states that the ordinance will override all other laws and empowers the government to frame rules, the Home Department secretary to issue regulations, and the same secretary to release guidelines when necessary.
According to the sources, the law seeks to completely prohibit unsafe kite flying across Punjab while allowing the government to permit controlled and regulated kite-flying activities at designated places and times. It aims to protect lives, regulate the kite-flying industry, ensure safe celebration of cultural events, and deter violators through heavy penalties and expanded enforcement powers.
