RECORDER REPORT

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court sought detailed reply from the Punjab government by October 29 in a petition of District Kite Flying Association challenging the imposition of ban on ‘Basant’.

The petitioner through Usman Khokhar contended that the ban not only ruined the business but also deprived the people from their lawful earning. He implored the court that the government had imposed the ban on Basant in 2007 following the increase in death toll of people due to kite flying. He however submitted that Punjab Assembly passed Punjab Prohibition of Kite Flying (Amendment) Act 2009 which allows kite flying.

The counsel contended that the Supreme Court of Pakistan in its suo moto notice had observed that the matter is now being regulated by law and directed the IGP to ensure its effective enforcement to prevent any untoward incident.

Usman Khokhar contended that the association had filed applications to respondents but all in vain. He implored that the respondents are obliged to allow the petitioner to start their business within the framework of law, but even after the order of country’s top court and by regulating law, the respondents are neither doing their legal duties nor allowing the petitioner to start their business. He said the respondents are not announcing the date of kite flying as provided in the law. He prayed the court to declare kite flying ban as null and void and direct the respondents to announce 15 day time of kite flying business. He also prayed the court to restrain the respondents from raiding the business places and harassing the petitioner as well as its members.