Punjab Government Proposes Legal Amendments to Combat Child Marriage and Regulate Kite Flying

Lahore, The Punjab government has put forward significant legal amendments aimed at strengthening the enforcement of child marriage laws and regulating kite flying activities. The proposals were discussed during the fifth meeting of the Cabinet’s Standing Committee on Legislation and Enforcement at Darbar Hall, led by Punjab Finance Minister Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman.

According to Directorate General Public Relation – Govt of Punjab, the proposed amendments include redefining the term “child” in the Child Marriage Act 1929 to include all individuals under the age of 18. This change is intended to address and deter caste-based divisions among children. In an effort to clamp down on the dangerous practice of kite flying, amendments to the Kite Flying Prohibition Ordinance 2001 were also tabled, targeting kite manufacturers and sellers rather than just the flyers, thereby addressing the root of the problem.

During the meeting, participants, including Provincial Minister for Information Azam Bukhari, Minister for Law and Transport Sahib Ahmed Malik, and Provincial Minister for Local Government Zeshan Rafique, reviewed these legislative changes. Bukhari highlighted the importance of informing all stakeholders about the proposed acts to mitigate baseless criticism and unnecessary debates. Furthermore, the amendments propose holding children accountable for kite flying, aiming to raise parental awareness of their responsibilities.

Rafique criticized the trade of lethal kite strings and called for kite flyers to be presented immediately before magistrates upon arrest. Additionally, he pushed for the inclusion of women police officers in the police departments to boost efficiency. Malik emphasized enforcing merit in the appointment of technical experts within the Punjab Infrastructure Development Authority, to keep pace with modern construction trends.

The committee also reached a consensus on the establishment of special courts for vulnerable individuals and agreed to expand the jurisdiction of the Child Protection Bureau Lahore to cover the entire Punjab province. These amendments reflect the government’s commitment to enhancing public safety and welfare.