The authorities concerned should take action against those violating the ban
ISLAMABAD: The coronavirus is fast spreading in the country. The cases of infection have exceeded 20,000 and more than 450 people have lost their lives to the deadly virus. After the outbreak of the infectious disease in the country, the government imposed a countrywide lockdown on March 23. People have been restricted inside their homes for more than five weeks now. While many people have found themselves some work inside their homes to make use of their time, many others have got themselves engaged in some indoor games. Amid the lockdown, the number of people going to their rooftops to fly kites and keep the boredom at bay has increased. A large number of kites can be seen in the skies these days.
While people are enjoying themselves with kite flying, the leisure activity poses a great threat to life. Since it can cause harm to onlookers and passers-by, it has been declared illegal under section 4 of the Punjab Prohibition of Kite Flying Ordinance 2001. However, those fond of kite flying are breaking the law without a care in the world. Every year, during basant and on national holidays, kite strings claims many lives. In some cases, the kite string slits a person’s throat and kills him, while in others, those flying kites fall to death from rooftops. Even though basant is banned in Punjab, people are taking advantage of the lockdown and celebrating the annual festival almost daily.
The authorities concerned should take action against those violating the ban. Such people need to be stopped because they are not only risking their own lives but of others too. There should be a crackdown on kite sellers as well.
Tuba Sheikh
Published in The Express Tribune, May 5th, 2020.
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