The ban on kite-flying, metallic strings and aerial firing is openly being violated in Rawalpindi city and cantonment areas. The residents of the city have expressed concern over kite flying and use of metallic strings, banned by the city administration saying that the violation is a question mark on the performance of the authorities concerned. The administration has failed to implement the ban, a citizen said adding Tench Bhatta, Peoples Colony, Kiani Road, Rawal Road, Murree Road, Rahimabad, Sarafa Bazaar, Purana Qila, Jamia Masjid Road and many other parts of the city were noticed where the activity was openly done especially on Thursday night and Friday to celebrate ‘Basant’. The citizens have demanded strict compliance of the kite flying ban to prevent road accidents and loss of precious human lives.
The Punjab government has banned kite flying following the directives of the Supreme Court. People have demanded the police to ensure a complete ban on sale of kite and flying along with the sale of fireworks. Locals said that the metallic strings used for flying kites injured several persons during last week, adding that it could have taken their lives. They demanded of the Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif and the district government to strictly implement the ban of kite flying.
Though, earlier the Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif had said that administration and police concerned will be held accountable for the violation of the ban on kite flying in any district of the province but there are no appropriate measures to curb the activity. The violation of kite-flying ban has become a routine in the city and the malpractice has been causing different problems for the people vis-a-vis traffic. Owing to easy availability, the children are purchasing kites and violating the ban not only on rooftops but even on roads.
