The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday summoned Lahore Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Operations Faisal Kamran to explain the incident of cops shaving the heads of kite flyers and uploading their videos online.
LHC heard a petition filed against the Lahore Police by Vishal Shakir. Justice Ali Zia Bajwa expressed anger and disappointment with the DIG Kamran over the police officers’ inhumane behaviour.
It merits a mention that the Punjab Assembly passed the bill named Punjab Prohibition of Kite Flying (Amendment) Act in 2024 which imposed a complete ban on kite flying across the province.
Kite flying continues to remain a popular activity among youth; however, the old tradition became notorious after usage of chemically made metal string which led to multiple fatal accidents.
In March 2024, a motorcyclist lost his life after a stray kite’s string slashed his throat, killing him on the spot. The CCTV footage of the unfortunate incident caused massive uproar on social media and traditional media.
Chief Minister of Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif visited the victim’s family and vowed to end the kite-flying practice in the province.
Following the incident, Maryam Nawaz ordered a crackdown against those involved in kite-flying.
“Such videos have been uploaded on the official page of Lahore police. It’s not right that you make people bald and upload it [the video] with Indian songs [playing in the background]” stated the judge.
The judge remarked that any person has the right to be punished according to the law if he is guilty of the crime.
Read more: Basant in Lahore
The long-awaited festival of Basant is set to be celebrated again in Lahore, with preparations underway to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone. The anticipated Basant festival is expected to take place in February 2026, with safety measures and guidelines already in the works.
Chief Minister (CM) of Punjab, Maryam Nawaz, formed a special committee dedicated for organising a secure Basant celebration. This committee will be responsible for planning the event and ensuring that the festival is held in a safe and responsible manner. According to sources, Basant will likely be celebrated in the city center, with two specific days under consideration for the event.
The committee overseeing Basant 2026 will include officials from various departments, such as the Lahore Commissioner, the Deputy Commissioner, and the Director General of the Walled City Authority, alongside members from the Kite Flying Association. Together, they will ensure that all preparations align with safety guidelines and that the celebration will be enjoyable for all residents of Lahore.
