LAHORE – The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Thursday disposed of petitionsagainst plan to celebrate Basant, after the provincial government assuredthat it would not allow kite flying activity and a ban would remain inplace this year.Justice Shakeel-ur-Rehman Khan heard multiple petitions filed by AdvocatesSafdar Shaheen Pirzada, Sheraz Zaka and others against earlier announcedplan to celebrate basant.Earlier, a law officer appeared before the court on behalf of the Punjabgovernment and submitted a report. He assured that government would notallow any kite flying activity and a ban would remain intact this year.He further submitted that the government would not allow any kite flyingactivity until safety precautionary measures were implemented throughlegislation.At this, the court disposed of the petitions observing that safety measureswere necessary for the purpose.The petitioners had filed the petitions in public interest, pleading thatthe kite flying was a deadly sport and could not be allowed at the cost ofcitizens’ fundamental rights.The petitioners also challenged the Punjab Prohibition of Kite FlyingOrdinance 2001 under which the government enjoyed discretionary powers topermit kite-flying activities.They said the Supreme Court in its 2006 judgment had declared a ban onkite-flying and celebration of basant festival a violation of thefundamental rights.However, they said the government introduced an amendment to the law,acquiring the power to allow kite-flying without defining any criteria.The petitioners asked the court to restrain the government from allowingkite-flying or celebration of basant festival.They further appealed the court to declare null and void the section 4(1)and 4-B of the Ordinance, which empowered the government to permitkite-flying.
Lahore High Court announces verdict on petition seeking Basant ban in Punjab
