Govt redoubles efforts to discourage kite-flying

Owners of high-rise buildings warned against allowing premises to be used for dangerous sport

RAWALPINDI:

The government has decided to run a door-to-door awareness campaign to discourage kite-flying and aerial firing.

The district administration and police are planning to involve the owners of high-rise buildings in their campaign by obtaining guarantees from them, which entail the undertaking that their premises will not be used for kite-flying.

City Police Officer (CPO) Rawalpindi Omar Saeed Malik, in accordance with directives from Regional Police Officer (RPO) Rawalpindi Ashfaq Ahmad Khan, has issued relevant orders to the district police.

Despite a blanket ban on flying kites in the festival of Basant this year, preparations in Rawalpindi are in full swing to defy the proscription as business owners and kite-flying enthusiasts alike plan to flout authority for the sake of their spring tradition.

The police, on Punjab government’s instructions, have been cracking down on kite sellers and flyers since the beginning of the year. However, blatant displays of kite-flying are rampant in the city as well as the district, with a young child in the Airport area reportedly sustaining serious injuries due to the activity this week.

Concerned authorities have been taking action against kite-flying around Chaklala Airbase and Old Benazir Bhutto International Airport, while the Rawalpindi administration and senior police officers have been reminded that with the national day of March 23 approaching fast, measures must be taken to put a stop to kite-flying.

Accordingly, the police have tightened the siege against elements in facilitating the dangerous game of kite-flying.

The police have given forewarning to registered offenders and are also issuing frequent reminders to the respective management of high-rise buildings to steer clear from any involvement in the activity.

A meeting was held under the chairmanship of CPO Malik, in which Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Operations Wasim Riaz, Superintendent of Police (SP) Headquarters, Divisional SP Potohar Rana Wahab, SP Saddar Tariq Mehboob, SP Rawal Babar Joya, SHOs and other police officers attended.

CPO Malik maintained that kite-flying and all business associated with it were intolerable offences for which a grand and effective crackdown needs to be launched.

Those who endanger the lives of citizens will be dealt with strictly, he said, adding that special teams have been formed for effective prevention of kite flying and aerial firing.

In addition, the police will also be monitoring high-rise buildings and obtain guarantees from their owners and managements. Persons previously found to have been involved in kite-flying will be monitored closely, while action will be taken against kite-flyers without discrimination.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 5^th, 2022.