Ordinance allowing kite flying being challenged in SC

* Ordinance relaxes ban on kite flying in Punjab for 15 days during spring

By Mohammad Kamran

ISLAMABAD: The former vice president of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) has said that he will challenge an ordinance in court which allows local governments to relax the ban on kite flying for Punjab.

Talking to reporters on Monday, Muhammad Ikram Chaudhry called the ordinance “contempt of court”, saying that it allows kite flying for a specific time in Punjab despite the fact that the apex court has imposed a countrywide ban on it.

“I will challenge the ordinance in the Supreme Court through a contempt of court petition, and the Punjab government will be made the respondent for this contempt,” he said. The Supreme Court has banned flying, manufacturing, selling and purchasing kites, but the Punjab government promulgated an ordinance last Sunday empowering district nazims to allow kite flying, manufacturing, and sale and purchase for 15 days during spring.

Chaudhry claimed that the ordinance was a “clear violation” of the ban and also contrary to Article 9 (Safety and Security of Citizens) of the Constitution. He said that the purpose of relaxing the ban was to allow celebration of the Basant festival.

Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry had taken suo motu notice of deaths because of dangerous kite flying and banned the practice on October 25, 2005. The apex court had also directed provincial governments, district nazims and the inspector generals of police to ensure the implementation of the ban.

Home | National