Hyderabad declared 'no-fly zone' for kites

Multiple injuries reported due to kite string cutting into necks and bodies of victims

HYDERABAD:

The district administration has imposed a sweeping ban on kite flying and the preparation, sale, and storage of kites and chemical or metallic string across Hyderabad for 90 days, following repeated incidents of deaths and injuries. The ban, enforced under Section 144 on the recommendation of the Deputy Commissioner, will remain in effect until March 31, 2026. Police inspectors have been authorized to take legal action against violators under Section 188 of the Pakistan Penal Code.

Kite flying has long been a popular pastime in Hyderabad, but in recent years the use of chemical-coated and metallic string has replaced traditional *manja*. Once widely available, the old cotton thread has virtually disappeared from the market, with shops now selling only the dangerous synthetic varieties. The stronger string has become a serious hazard not only for people but also for birds and electricity lines. Officials say the wires often get entangled in power supply cables, and when kite flyers tug at them, sparks erupt and wires snap, falling to the ground.

The dangers extend beyond infrastructure. In 2025, two deaths were reported in Hyderabad linked directly to kite flying. On January 30, ten-year-old Rehan was chasing a kite near Auto Bhan Road in Hussainabad when he was struck and killed by a train traveling from Karachi to Punjab. In another incident, 20-year-old Faiz, son of Abdullah, fell from the roof of his house in Babri Lane, City police limits, while flying a kite and died instantly.

The Babri Lane tragedy prompted an immediate crackdown by police, who raided kite shops and warehouses across the city, particularly in Pakka Qila, considered the hub of kite sales. Shops and storerooms were sealed, but within days the trade resumed. Citizens and social groups continued to demand a permanent ban, arguing that the dangerous practice was costing lives and disrupting public safety.

Commissioner Hyderabad Division Fayaz Hussain Abbasi finally responded to these calls, issuing a notification that bans kite flying in both public and private spaces, as well as the preparation, sale, and storage of kites and string, particularly chemical and metallic varieties. Public gatherings or events related to kite flying have also been prohibited.