Punjab allows kite flying with conditional permission after 25 years

LAHORE: The Punjab government on Wednesday allowed kite flying under conditional permission while ensuring the safety of life and property of the public, ending a 25-year ban on the Basant festival in the province.

The development came after Punjab Governor Saleem Haider signed the Punjab Kite Flying Ordinance 2025, bringing the new law into immediate effect across the province to regulate kite flying.

Under the ordinance 2025, the government said that now kite flying will be allowed on specific days and places under rules and regulations.

The ordinance further stated that the string used for flying kites should be made of thread, and the use of chemical or metal strings will be completely prohibited. Those who use chemical or metal strings in kite flying will face heavy fines and penalties.

Under the ordinance, flying a kite, assisting kite flying, or producing, storing, transporting, or selling any kite or dangerous string is prohibited unless permitted under regulated conditions.

In addition to that, kite makers, sellers of kite-flying equipment, buyers, and kite flying associations have been obliged to get themselves registered with the Deputy Commissioner to legally produce or sell permissible kite-flying materials.

Anyone operating without registration may face up to five years imprisonment and fines up to Rs500,000, it added.

The ordinance further stated that children below the age of 18 will not be allowed to fly kites, and minors will be fined Rs50,000 for flying kites for the first time and Rs100,000 for repeat violations.

Children found violating the law will be dealt with under the Juvenile Justice System Act 2018.

Another key provision makes all offences non-bailable and cognizable, allowing police to arrest violators without a warrant.