Lahore Capital City Police Officer Bilal Siddique Kamyana announced that motorcyclists in the city will be fined from February 1 if they are found riding without safety rods. The decision is part of stricter safety measures introduced ahead of Basant to reduce accidents and injuries caused by kite strings.
The announcement was made during a Town Hall ceremony marking the launch of a public awareness campaign and the installation of safety rods under the Safe Basant initiative. The event was held jointly with Lahore Commissioner Maryam Khan and attended by senior officials, including Chief Traffic Officer Athar Waheed, Deputy Commissioner (retired) Captain Ali Ijaz, and representatives from Rescue 1122, the Lahore Development Authority, Parks and Horticulture Authority, and the health and education departments.
Under the initiative, one million motorcycles will be fitted with safety rods free of cost across Lahore. Awareness pamphlets were also distributed to educate citizens about road safety and the dangers posed by sharp kite strings. The CCPO reiterated a zero-tolerance policy on aerial firing, warning that strict legal action would be taken against anyone involved.
Sharing enforcement details related to illegal kite flying, Kamyana said that during the current month, police registered 1,078 cases, made 1,115 arrests, and seized more than 40,000 kites along with 926 spools. He clarified that kite flying would only be allowed on February 6, 7, and 8, and any violations outside these dates would result in strict action.
He further warned that parents or guardians of children involved in illegal kite flying would also face legal consequences. The CCPO said round-the-clock monitoring would be carried out during Basant using CCTV cameras and drones to ensure public safety, and he urged the media to play its role in promoting responsible and safe celebrations across the city.
