Basant Night to be held tomorrow in defiance of ban

KFA issues event schedule despite repeated warnings from police

RAWALPINDI:

The annual Basant Night in the Rawalpindi Cantonment area will be held on Thursday (tomorrow).

As per the schedule issued by Kite Flying Association (KFA) all the preparations for the event are completed. However, while preparations are underway, the Rawalpindi police has announced a complete ban on kite flying, the selling of kites, aerial firing and fireworks.

Police officials have reiterated that cases would be registered against the owners of plazas and shops from where kites are purchased. Citizens who are found flying kites will also be fined, they said. They added that in cases where children are involved, the father would be arrested and cases will be registered against him.

Police have started making announcements against kite flying from loudspeakers in mosques across the cantonment area. They have also taken to the loudspeakers in the squares.

A warning has been issued by the police, stating that kite flyers would be punished with up to three months in prison. A fine of Rs50,000 will also be imposed, the warning stated.

Meanwhile, KFA has announced that both Rawalpindi and Chaklala cantonment areas will have a Basant Night on Thursday, and Basant on Friday. Roofs of houses and plazas have already been decorated. Stalls have been installed for a barbecue on Basant Night.

However, the KFA has banned the use of metal wire, aerial firing and fireworks at Basant Night and Basant Mela for the safety of the citizens.

A KFA representative said that police should file a case against those, found using metal strings and those engaged in aerial firing. However, those who fly kites with ordinary strings should not be harassed, he added.

Taking advantage of heightened demand, kite sellers have increased the price of kite in the open market. Due to the ban, strings and kites are being delivered to homes for a hefty fee.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 9^th, 2022.