Pakistan lifts kite-flying ban

Mark · Thu Jan 04, 07 8:58 am **Pakistan lifts kite-flying ban**

Ok its safe to put Pakistan back on the travel list Wink

Of course you cant fly anything larger than 2 feet by 2 feet. Pray for lots of wind!

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070104/ap_on_re_as/pakistan_kite_ban

LAHORE, Pakistan - Authorities on Thursday lifted a ban on kite-flying in a Pakistan province after the sport was forbidden last year following a series of deaths caused by reinforced kite strings, an official said.

The ban was lifted about a month ahead of Basant, an annual festival that heralds spring and is marked by flying colorful kites in the eastern province of Punjab and its capital, Lahore.

This year's festival will be celebrated on Feb. 25, said Salman Ghani, chairman of Punjab's planning and development department.

During Basant last year, seven people were fatally slashed by glass-coated or metal-reinforced kite strings, prompting authorities to ban kite-flying. They arrested hundreds who defied the new regulation.

Among last year's fatalities was a 4-year-old boy whose throat was slit by a string coated with glass as he rode on a motorcycle with his father.

Ghani said that glass-coated or metal strings will be banned, and that authorities will issue licenses for selling kites and strings during this year's festival.

The ban will be re-imposed after the festival's final day celebrations, he said.

Kites larger than 2 feet by 2 feet will not be allowed to prevent the use of heavy strings, Ghani said.

Offenders will face up to four years in jail, or a fine of 100,000 rupees ($1,800), he said.

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4907 Posts Portland Unstrapped

kitezilla · Since 22 Jun 2006 453 Posts gorge Obsessed

This could be the theme of a new best-selling novel..."Kite Swimmer"....

pdxmonkeyboy · Thu Jan 04, 07 2:07 pm

Actually, there is already an EXCELLENT book about this, its called Kite Runners.

Kids in Pakistan have kite fights and the winner gets to keep the other kite. The kite runner has to run and chase the losers kite so that the victor can enjoys the spoils.

The book is about much more than kite fighting (of course) but they never mentioned people's heads getting cut off!!

Mark · Thu Jan 04, 07 3:57 pm

Kite runner is a great book. Thumb's Up

It helps open your eyes to other cultures.

Sometimes I think about the kite battles as I cruize around Sauvies!

Reaper356 · Since 10 Dec 2006 781 Posts Salem / LC Oregon Opinionated

So that's like what, less than a one meter kite?

I suppose they shoot rpg's at you too if you try to outrun them? Razz

luke · Since 06 Jul 2005 399 Posts Obsessed

A group of kiters went over to Pakistan in March 06 on the invitation from the Prime Minister. The people in the Lahore region are fanatical about kiting. It is awesome. We felt right at home being amongst people with a huge passion for kites.

We went up into the Himalayas and snowkited from a base camp at 14,000'. HUGE. Most of the highest mountains in the world are in Pakistan. Most except Everest.

jahmbi · Since 28 Jul 2005 622 Posts MORE HUMAN THAN HUMAN River Troll