LHC seeks details of fatalities, injuries during Basant festival
The police presented details of registered cases, arrested suspects, and confiscated kites and strings before Lahore High Court (LHC) while hearing of a case related to actions against kite flying in the province especially Lahore. The court also sought details, for the next hearing, of fatalities and injuries that occurred during the Basant festival.
Justice Malik Muhammad Owais Khalid heard the petition filed by the Judicial Activism Panel. During the hearing, SSP Operations Tauqeer Naeem and other officials appeared before the court, while the report was submitted by Assistant Advocate General Anwar Hussain.
According to the police report, from January 1, 2026, to February 8, 2026, a total of 1,926 cases were registered in Lahore under the Kite Flying Act, and 2,030 suspects were arrested. During this period, 105,718 kites were confiscated, along with 2,953 strings seized up to the Basant festival.
The report further stated that after Basant, from February 9 to April 3, 1,255 cases were registered in Lahore, and 1,255 suspects were arrested. During this period, 2,025 kites and 809 strings were confiscated.
The petitioner’s counsel, Advocate Azhar Siddique, expressed dissatisfaction with the police report, arguing that details of deaths and injuries during the Basant festival had not been provided. He stated that several citizens lost their lives and many were injured, but a complete record had not been presented before the court.
The court directed the law officer to obtain complete information from relevant departments and present details regarding the number of fatalities and injured persons during the Basant festival.
Justice Malik Owais Khalid also directed the Home Department to convene a meeting on April 28 regarding the matter. The court instructed the law officer to attend the meeting and also directed Advocate Azhar Siddique to present his stance there. The court adjourned further hearing of the case until April 30 and sought a progress report at the next hearing.
Reporter: Malik Ashraf