Lahore: Kite flying in Punjab, a cultural activity with a long history, remains under strict legal regulation as outlined in the newly enacted Punjab Regulation of Kite Flying Act, 2025. This legislation, passed by the Provincial Assembly of Punjab on December 24, 2025, replaces and repeals the Punjab Prohibition of Kite Flying Ordinance, 2001, marking a significant shift in the governance of kite flying across the province.
According to Free and Fair Election Network, the 2025 Act maintains the foundational regulatory stance of prohibiting kite flying by default, a principle first introduced in the 2001 ordinance. However, the new law expands on this framework by providing a more structured approach to permissible kite flying. This includes authorization for Deputy Commissioners, with provincial government approval, to permit kite flying and related activities such as manufacturing, storage, and sale of kites under specific conditions.
The Act also introduces a mandatory registration system for entities involved in manufacturing and selling permissible kite-flying materials. Violations of the law carry severe penalties, with imprisonment ranging from three to seven years and fines up to five million rupees for serious offenses. This represents a significant increase from the penalties under the previous ordinance, which capped imprisonment at three years and fines at 100,000 rupees.
The 2025 legislation also addresses the involvement of minors in kite flying violations, stipulating that proceedings will follow the Juvenile Justice System Act, 2018. Fines for minors range from fifty thousand to one hundred thousand rupees, recoverable from parents or guardians if not paid.
While the new Act introduces stricter controls and penalties, it also grants district administrations greater discretion in determining kite flying periods, thus offering a more flexible regulatory environment compared to the seasonal permissions under the 2001 ordinance. The Act aims to balance cultural practices with public safety, consolidating administrative oversight to ensure compliance and protect human life and property.