Kites of death

The week's news at a glance.

Lahore, Pakistan

The Pakistani Supreme Court has extended a temporary ban on making, selling, or flying kites, ruling that the sport has become too dangerous. Pakistanis engage in “competitive kite flying,” in which the goal is to bring down other kites. In recent years fliers have begun coating their strings with metal or glass fragments that can slice through opponents’ strings. Injuries are common, and last month a girl died after a kite string sliced her throat. But kite enthusiasts argue that thousands of people’s livelihoods depend on the kite industry. They want the ban lifted before next Basant, a spring festival traditionally celebrated with thousands of kites. Last Basant, 19 people died and more than 200 were injured, mostly falling from rooftops, where they were perched to catch the wind.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up