LAHORE: A kite trader from Lahore, frustrated by the ban on kite flying and kite business, filed a petition against it in the Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday.
The petitioner, Waqas Ahmad stressed that the ban was against the fundamental rights of people.
Calling it illegal and against the constitution, Ahmad said that the state cannot take away the right of legitimate trade from its citizens.
“Most of the traders were poor people and this ban has ended their source of income,” the petitioner stated.
Currently, the Punjab Prohibition of Kite Flying (Amendment) Bill, 2009 forbids committing or abetting the act of kite flying and/or manufacture and sale of kites.
The petitioner requested the court to lift the said ban.
Justice Umar Ata Bandial asked the Punjab government and city district government of Lahore to submit their replies in response to this petition by March 6.
COMMENTS (21)
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its up to pakistan what to do its our governments it has nathing to do with someone from out said pakistan
@BruteForce: "Probably more than people who get killed flying kite! I dont see anyone banning Hajj in Pakistan."
Then we have hordes of people dieing of food-poisoning all over the world. Can't the UN ban eating?
Lift the ban and do something for only two days that's the responsibility of government if they are not willing to do it they should leave the government almost 70% people wants Basant why the government treat for only 30%.IF this is so then their is a plan that Basant should be celebrated after one year break.After consecutive year.Not with a continuous ban,every problem has a solution and people i think so have given enought solutions to implement up till now. 1:Bike Anntena 2:Local holiday 3:Thread manufacturing law. That will do it.
If kite flying is dangerous becasue it kills people, I would suggest place an indefinite ban on Political rallies and "Jalsas", they kill "Leaders" let alone commen citizens. (Liaqat Ali Khan and Benazir Bhutto were assasinated in such events. Saveral others also died in the two assasination attempts on Benazir, the first of which was a failed attempt in Karachi that claimed dozens of innocent lives).
Why do our governments hide thier inefficiencies by depriving us of things that actually aren't harmfull. Take example of Natural Gas for instance, if govt cant build infrastructure, we should stop using Gas, same goes with electricity. Basant has a similar issue, the government is inefficient in blocking the use of harmful chemical and metallic strings, so instead of doing something to catch the culprits they have banned "Basant" altogather rendering thousands unemployed, curbing economic activity worth billions, snatching a healthy entertainment activity from the nation, blocking forex that could pour in the shape of foriegn tourists visiting Lahore for the event and importantly missed a vital chance to improve the National image a bit by showing to the world that the there's more to Pakistan than the tarnished terrorists. Ban from Basant should be lifted, with government taking measures to curb down the illegal activities attached to basant. Nations are known by thier cultures and such ridiculous laws are killing the very roots of our culture.
@Rahim:
Yes, I agree. But, I understand you are too, well, intellectually incapable to understand what my point was. Why dont you give an another try!
@bootforce, More people die in stampedes in Hindu religious functions and temples than anywhere else.
If ban on kite flying is against constitution, then what about the hundreds of people who die as a direct result of this stupid and uncivilized act and what about the damages to the power lines and other properties?
The ban on kite flying is totally justified. The people of Pakistan deserve what they get.
@ASQ:
If free choice were the issue, then banning kite flying doesn't make sense.
The fact, whoever, you might deny is, that the mullahs and their sympathizers see basant as an Indian festival and the associated kite flying as something having an Hindu influence. Go ask any Mullah and he will breathe fire against basant.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZVWOk8u3AY
The above video is a pretty good summation.
If Kite Flying is dangerous so is Hajj. If Kite Flying should be banned for the reason, so should be Hajj.
this all shows that Pakistan is expired .... this just remind me the Taliban Hold in Afghanistan after Russian Invasion in which every happy moments lost their life ............ May Bless Our Beloved Country .............
We are Arabs & Arabs don't fly kites!
Flying of kites should be completely banned in Pakistan.
The parliament should take up the matter and should unanimously pass the bill to completely ban kite flying within the territorial limits of Pakistan as kite flying has taken many innocent lives in the country.
I am sure if the Constitution of Pakistan is amended and the orders are passed by the relevant authorities, it may save the lives of several other innocent people who die during the ride of cycle or motorcycle.
Taking the right back from the people who fly the kites or prepare the kite thread which kills human beings is not against the Constitution of Pakistan, as the Constitution of Pakistan guarantees to save the human lives.
Just today there was a news on the local TV channel reporting death of an innocent person who died while he was going on motorcycle and became the victim of the kite thread and his throat was cut, as if he was slaughtered while riding the bike.
Basant and kite flying should not be banned, instead the causes that made an innocent fun activity dangerous such as chemical 'dors' and other related things need to be addressed and banned.
Yeah, sure... Bring it back. I mean, how can people live without slicing their fingers, getting their throats slashed open by broken strings, falling off roofs, etc... Why not.
@Blithe:
Please.. Kites are flown at a much larger scale in India. I, myself, have done it. Its not dangerous. If we keep banning everything dangerous, then I might also point out that even several people get killed during Hajj. Probably more than people who get killed flying kite! I dont see anyone banning Hajj in Pakistan.
What about the people who die with the kite thread? Kite trade is fine BUT FIRs should also name these traders when an innocence person dies or is seriously injured. Eating chewing gum -- an offence in Singapore with at least 10 lashes punishment. I remember an American boy found eating this gum was given 10 lashes, while Ex President Clinton got personal involved. The boy was given lashes and then deported!
@BruteForce: Mate, this issue has nothing to do with religion or Hinduism. And basant is to celebrate spring - do not a religious connotation to it.
I think we should revive it but with safety measures.
Haha! A simple joy as flying kite is banned because of its Hindu cultural influence.
In my neighborhood, hundreds of kids used to fly kites and some of my best childhood memories were captured at that time. I pity the children of Pakistan.
Exactly Basant should come back with all its enthusiasm...