The Punjab government has imposed various restrictions under Section 144 in Lahore to prevent provocation and maintain law and order during Basant.
According to a notification issued by the Punjab government, the restrictions have been enforced to ensure religious harmony and public peace during the festival. The notification states that kites bearing images of holy books, religious places, individuals, national flags, or political party symbols have been completely banned.
The notification further clarifies that the manufacturing, sale, storage, and use of kites with religious or political symbols will remain prohibited for 30 days. However, the use of plain single-colored or multi-colored kites without any images will be allowed during Basant.
The Punjab government has declared the illegal manufacturing, transportation, storage, sale, and use of prohibited kites as a punishable offense. The notification notes that there were concerns about provocative elements using religious or political symbols during Basant, prompting the immediate enforcement of Section 144 and strict action directives for law enforcement agencies.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Punjab Home Department stated that the government has granted conditional permission to celebrate a safe Basant in Lahore from February 6 to February 8. The spokesperson said Basant has been allowed as a recreational festival, but no violation of the law will be tolerated.
The spokesperson added that the restrictions were imposed to maintain public order and respect religious sentiments. The use of metallic wire, nylon string, or glass-coated kite string has been completely banned, while the manufacturing, transportation, storage, sale, and use of hazardous kite strings and kites have been prohibited.
According to the Home Department, kite flying before the designated dates may result in up to five years of imprisonment and a fine of up to two million rupees. Those involved in the manufacturing or sale of banned materials may face up to seven years in prison and fines of up to five million rupees.
