No Permission For Basant: Shahbaz Sharif
LAHORE – Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said no such festival or sport could be permitted which could result in the loss of precious human lives.
He said this while addressing a ceremony here Friday, adding that, Basant, a traditional festival had taken the form of a bloody sport with the use of metal wire and nylon string. He said protection of life and property of the people was the responsibility of the government and with this view it had been decided not to give permission for Basant and kite-flying. He said stern action would be taken under the law if anyone found involved in violation of the ban on kite-flying.
The CM said media had become a powerful force in the present circumstances and was playing an important role in promoting public awareness. He said though media held strict accountability of government and institutions but there could also be the possibility of unintentional mistakes while bringing out the facts, therefore, there should be such a mechanism which could provide an opportunity to the persons who was being criticised to give their version as it would help promote confidence of the people in media. He said there should be a comprehensive and extensive debate on all issues but only those persons should be invited for this purpose as have an in depth knowledge of the issue.
Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has ordered police and administration to launch a crackdown against the kite-sellers as well as the elements engaged in kite-flying.According to a spokesman of the Punjab government, kite-flying and sale of kites is strictly prohibited and a special cell has been set up at the CM Secretariat for the implementation of the relevant law. He further said that parents and citizens could launch complaint regarding kite-flying and the sale of kites with local district and police officers besides the cell set up at the CM Secretariat at Lahore.
Complaints in this regard can be registered round the clock at the following telephone numbers of the special cell: Lahore Division 042-99204908, 99204919, 99204914; Rawalpindi Division 042-99204906; Gujranwala Division 042-99204907; Faisalabad Division 042-99204910; Sargodha Division 042- 99204911; Multan Division/Sahiwal Division 042-99204912; Bahawalpur Division/DG Khan Division 042-99204913. The spokesman stressed upon parents to strictly check their children from kite-flying in the interest of their own safety as well as of others. He said that the CM had also ordered action without any discrimination against the owners of hotels, plazas and houses if they allowed kite-flying from their roofs and DCOs and DPOs of the entire province had been directed to constitute raiding teams immediately with the assistance of traders and local organisations.
Meanwhile, Home Secretary Punjab, on the instruction of Chief Minister, has issued orders to all DCOs and DPOs and staff of civil defence, revenue and other departments to take action against the elements engaged in kite-flying.
