Deadly strings

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Despite a province-wide ban on kite flying, Punjab's skies continue to turn into death traps, with the latest victim being a four-year-old girl in Rawalpindi who suffered serious wounds from a stray kite string while riding a motorcycle with her father. Unfortunately, kite flying continues unabated, especially in garrison cities, revealing serious lapses in enforcement and public compliance.

The problem is not the absence of laws but the absence of consistent enforcement. The Punjab Prohibition of Kite Flying (Amendment) Act, 2024, was meant to put an end to this hazard, imposing heavy penalties - up to seven years in prison and multi-million-rupee fines for violators, including manufacturers and suppliers. But the reality on the ground tells a different story. The law is being flouted with impunity, and the authorities' sporadic crackdowns are little more than cosmetic exercises. Kites still dot the skyline, and the sharp strings that have already killed and injured many remain a looming threat over Punjab's streets. Authorities must take a more aggressive stance. Authorities must adopt a zero-tolerance policy and ensure strict enforcement of the ban. Routine inspections in high-risk areas, coupled with continuous crackdowns on illegal kite production and sales, are essential to curbing this menace. Furthermore, imposing severe penalties - including substantial fines and legal consequences for repeat offenders - will serve as a strong deterrent.

Strict monitoring should also be implemented at the manufacturing and supply level to cut off the availability of hazardous materials used in kite strings. Additionally, law enforcement agencies should conduct periodic surprise inspections, collaborate with local communities to report violations. Without decisive and sustained action, the cycle of preventable tragedies will continue, putting countless lives at risk. The injury suffered by little Manahil should not be dismissed as an unfortunate accident.