Lahore, Following directives from Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the Punjab Police has escalated its operations against illegal kite flying and the use of metal strings across the province. The crackdown has seen significant results in the last 24 hours, with a substantial number of arrests and seizures of kites and metal strings.

According to Punjab Police, IG Punjab Dr. Usman Anwar has issued orders to all Regional Police Officers (RPOs) and District Police Officers (DPOs) to ramp up efforts against the activity. This has led to the registration of 245 cases against individuals involved in kite flying, resulting in 242 arrests. Police spokespeople have highlighted the recovery of over 54,000 kites and more than 800 strings from those apprehended.

Detailing the efforts over the past month, the police reported over 3,100 cases filed under anti-kite flying laws across the province, including Lahore, with 3,233 suspects arrested. Authorities have confiscated more than 163,000 kites and 3,593 strings from the accused, emphasizing the extensive nature of this crackdown.

IG Punjab has called for stringent actions against the manufacture, purchase, and sale of metal strings and kites, advocating for zero tolerance and no exemptions for those involved in this “heinous business.” The crackdown aims to make the campaign against kite flying more effective, with special attention to online sellers of kites and strings, who are also to face severe punishment under the law.