By Asim Shahzad
LAHORE: The Punjab Assembly witnessed a series of important developments on Tuesday, ranging from regulation of kite flying to strengthened legislative oversight against human trafficking, while the Speaker of the Assembly issued strong warnings over political instability, judicial controversy, and attacks on state institutions.
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The Punjab Kite Flying Ordinance 2025 has been submitted to the Assembly after receiving approval from the Governor of Punjab. Under the ordinance, kite flying will only be permitted with government approval, to be implemented through the Deputy Commissioner in each district. Mandatory registration has been introduced for kite makers, sellers, and kite flying organizations.
According to the ordinance, unregistered manufacturing or sale of kites and strings will be punishable with imprisonment of up to five years and a fine of up to Rs 500,000. There will be a complete ban on metal strings, tinder, and sharp-edged strings, violations of which will carry punishments of up to five years in prison and fines of up to Rs 2 million. Police officers of the rank of sub-inspector will be empowered to make arrests and conduct searches without warrants on credible information. The ordinance, valid for two months, will become permanent law after approval by the relevant Assembly committee.
Meanwhile, the Assembly also passed a resolution that received national and international appreciation following the establishment of a Special Parliamentary Committee on Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants. The initiative was highlighted as a major achievement in the US State Department’s Trafficking in Persons Report 2023. The resolution praised the Chief Minister Punjab and Speaker Punjab Assembly for their leadership and acknowledged the role of the Sustainable Social Development Organization for its sustained research, technical support, and capacity building. Legislators reaffirmed their resolve to combat human trafficking through enhanced coordination among government bodies, civil society, and international partners.
Separately, Speaker Punjab Assembly Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan, while addressing a press conference, expressed serious concerns over the country’s political and institutional environment. He said Pakistan was facing intense internal pressure and instability, adding that any slander against the Army Chief was intolerable and unacceptable. He stated that the entire nation stood with the Pakistan Armed Forces.
The Speaker criticized political polarization, alleged judicial grouping within the Supreme Court, and what he termed dysfunctional parliamentary conduct since 2018. Referring to the May 9 incidents, he said attacks on military installations, burning of the national flag, and targeting the Army Chief were acts of grave hostility against the state. He warned that democracy could not survive through abuse, disruption, and confrontation, urging restraint, dialogue, and respect for institutions.
Summary (40 words):
Punjab Assembly approved steps to regulate kite flying and strengthen anti-trafficking oversight, while Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan warned against political instability, judicial controversy, and attacks on state institutions, stressing unity, rule of law, and respect for democratic and security structures.
Tags:
Punjab Assembly, Kite Flying Ordinance 2025, human trafficking, smuggling of migrants, Special Parliamentary Committee, Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan, May 9 incidents, Pakistan Armed Forces, political instability, legislative reforms, SSDO
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