Concerned about the apparent lack of enforcement of the ban on the manufacture and flying of kites during the month of Basant (the spring festival) in Pakistan, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Pakistan today summoned regional policing officials to a meeting.
The Daily Times of Lahore, Pakistan reported today that federal and four divisional Inspectors General of Police were directed to explain their actions in not enforcing the ban on kite flying and kite manufacure which was originally imposed on October 24, 2005 (see earlier Best-Breezes Journal entry).
Several serious incidents with kite flying (power failures and personal injury) have occurred since the Supreme Court ban. Apparently this has caused the Chief Justice to seek statements as to why enforcement of the ban is not being undertaken.
Saturday, November 19, 2005
Daily Times - Lahore, Pakistan
By: Mohammad Kamran
"IGPs summoned for not enforcing kite flying ban
ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry took stern notice of the violation of a ban imposed by the Supreme Court (SC) on kite flying and manufacturing and summoned the four inspectors general of police (IGPs) and the federal IGP seeking their reply on the matter.
The IGPs will hold a meeting with the Registrar of the SC on Sunday (tomorrow) and make a comprehensive plan to implement the ban on kite flying in addition to giving explanation for their failure in complying with the court’s orders.
Fourteen days ago, the SC had imposed an initial one-month ban on kite manufacturing, flying, selling and buying across the country. The order was passed out in a constitutional petition filed by a lawyer from Lahore who said that each year a large number of people, particularly children, fall prey to the sport. The counsel of the Lahore Electric Supply Corporation (LESCO) also submitted that LESCO installations worth Rs 1 billion were damaged while 15,566 trippings were recorded in one month of the kite flying season. The court directed district nazims and IGPs to ensure implementation of the ban and that in case of violations, the IGPs were to be held responsible. The bench also directed people to send complaints regarding violations of its order to the registrar. The bench observed that it could not allow any activity which is potentially fatal to continue. Talking to Daily Times, Supreme Court Registrar Dr Faqir Hussain confirmed the scheduled meeting and said the petition was pending in the Supreme Court and a report on Sunday’s meeting with IGPs will be presented to the bench on the next date of hearing."
It will be interesting to follow this story in the coming days.