The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday directed police authorities to submit a comprehensive safety plan regarding the notification allowing kite flying, amid concerns over public safety.
The directive was issued during a hearing on a miscellaneous petition challenging the Kite Flying Ordinance and a notification issued by the Deputy Commissioner permitting Basant-related kite flying. The case was heard by Justice Malik Awais Khalid on a petition filed by the Judicial Activism Panel.
During the proceedings, petitioner’s counsel Azhar Siddique argued that protection of life and property during kite flying is a fundamental right guaranteed under the Constitution. He urged the court to declare the Kite Flying Ordinance and the permission notification null and void, citing serious risks to citizens.
The court questioned the Additional Secretary Judicial on what concrete steps had been taken to ensure public safety and how the risks associated with kite flying would be regulated. The petitioner also submitted photographs as part of the record, including images showing a child with a fatal neck injury allegedly caused by kite string.
Justice Malik Awais Khalid directed the Inspector General of Punjab Police and the Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Lahore to submit reports explaining how safety measures would be implemented and enforced.
During the hearing, Assistant Advocate General Anwar Hussain raised an objection, stating that the ordinance had already been converted into an act, making the petition inadmissible. The court observed that the legal status of the act would be examined at a later stage, noting that the present petition primarily concerns the safety of citizens.
The court subsequently instructed the Additional Secretary Judicial to obtain a safety plan from the IG Punjab and the CCPO and present it before the court. The hearing was adjourned until January 16 for further proceedings.
