LAHORE:
Proposals for.mitigating threats to lives and organising safe Basant celebrations during the spring festival from next year were deliberated upon in a meeting held at the home department.
The meeting presided over by the home secretary was attended by the DG of Walled City of Lahore Authority (WCLA), divisional commissioner, All Pakistan Kite Flying Association President Shakeel Sheikh and other stakeholders.
Participants discussed the possibilities of conditional and limited permission for safely celebrating Basant in certain areas during the festival. Punjab Home Secretary Dr Ahmad Javed Qazi emphasised that the protection of lives remains the top concern of the government. He made it clear that kite flying involving any danger to human life would not be permitted under any circumstances.
He stated that Basant or kite flying could only be allowed after ensuring strict safety measures and regulatory compliance.
The participants deliberated on proposed amendments to the Punjab Prohibition of Kite Flying Ordinance, suggesting that a safe Basant may be allowed as a controlled cultural activity during the spring festival. It was proposed that kite flyers must obtain a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the deputy commissioner of the district.
