The Government of Punjab has taken a tough stance on kite flying by approving amendments to the Kite Flying Act 2024, making it a non-bailable offense effective immediately. The new law imposes harsh penalties for those caught flying kites, as well as for those involved in manufacturing, transporting, or selling kites and related materials.
Under the new provisions, anyone found participating in kite-flying will face a sentence of three to seven years in prison, along with a fine ranging from Rs 500,000 to Rs 5 million. Both punishments will apply simultaneously. Additionally, a complete ban has been placed on the preparation, sale, and transportation of kites, metal wires, nylon cords, and sharp-edged strings, all of which have been linked to numerous accidents and fatalities in the past.
The law also introduces specific fines for minors caught in the act. Children involved in kite flying for the first time will be fined Rs 50,000, and if they are caught a second time, the fine will increase to Rs 100,000. In some cases, both punishments could be applied at once.
The Punjab Assembly passed the bill for the Punjab Prohibition of Kite Flying Amendment Act 2024 after a series of tragic incidents where lives were lost due to the use of dangerous kite strings, commonly made with sharp materials. These strings have been known to cause fatal accidents, particularly among motorcyclists and pedestrians.
A government spokesperson emphasized that the new law is designed to protect public safety, stating, “Kite flying, while traditionally popular, has proven to be a serious threat to human life, and we are committed to ending this dangerous practice in the province.”
Under the revised act, kite flyers will be sentenced to three to five years in prison or face a fine of Rs 2 million, or both. Those involved in the manufacturing and transportation of kites and related materials will face even stricter penalties, with jail time ranging from five to seven years and fines of up to Rs 5 million.
The strict measures are expected to be enforced with immediate effect, and authorities have pledged to take swift action against violators.
