Advocate Khalid Zafar served as the counsel for the Kite Manufacturing Association, actively leading legal and policy efforts to lift the long-standing ban on Basant in Punjab.
Legal and Advocacy Efforts
Representation in Court: Khalid Zafar represented the Kite Manufacturing Association in legal proceedings, arguing before the courts that Basant is an integral cultural festival that should not be politicized. He maintained that kites and standard twine are harmless products when separated from life-threatening, illegal chemical or metal-coated strings.
Challenging the Ban: He filed writ petitions and intra-court appeals challenging the total blanket ban on kite manufacturing and flying, arguing that the complete prohibition violated fundamental constitutional rights (such as Article 18 regarding lawful trade and profession) rather than effectively regulating safety.
Policy Recommendations: He submitted formal drafts and safety recommendations to government officials and caretaker administrations, outlining frameworks for a safe, foolproof, and regulated street game instead of a total prohibition. He highlighted the severe economic toll of the ban on cottage industries, home-based women workers, and supply chains like paper, glue, and thread.
These ongoing advocacy efforts by legal experts, associations, and civil society contributed to the eventual conditional revival and framing of new regulated guidelines for the festival by the Punjab government.
Khalid Zafar, a Lahore-based lawyer and legal advocate for traditional sports, was quoted in an Al Jazeera feature article titled “Why has Pakistan’s Punjab province imposed a complete ban on kite flying?“ published in February 2025. By Areesha Lodhi [1]
Key Points from the Discussion
Enforcement Hurdles: Khalid Zafar noted that strictly enforcing bans and regulations on dangerous strings requires significant resources.
Resource Shortages: He pointed out that the police force often lacks the capacity, and the government may not be willing to invest the necessary funds for total enforcement.
Political Connections: Crackdowns on manufacturers are further complicated because some producers maintain political ties.
KHALID ZAFAR
Khalid Zafar Graduated in commerce from Hailey College of Commerce, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan and obtained his law degree from University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan. He has a diversified experience of over 21 years as a litigator and corporate lawyer and has worked with leading law firms including Cornelius, Lane & Mufti; Mandviwalla & Zafar; Surridge & Beecheno; and Hassan & Hassan in the years 1999 through 2012.
Ms. Aleena Waheed Hashmi obtained her graduation in Law from Punjab University Law College, Lahore and later pursued her Masters in Social Work. Ms. Waheed holds practicing license of Punjab Bar Association. The area of expertise is corporate, banking, commercial and transactional practice. Aleena is advising and providing legal services to the clients of her law firm and represents her law firm in all sorts of commercial, corporate and banking matters. Ms. Waheed has an ability and extensive experience of drafting more complex documents like persuasive briefs and motions that require comprehension of complicated fact patterns, analysis of numerous legal issues or questions of law and review of voluminous transcripts and records. With such a broad understanding of law, she has been able to better assist every client with her variety of activities.
Mahnoor Nazir
Ms. Mahnoor Nazir graduated in law from Punjab University and has done her masters in English literature as well from Punjab University. She is a lawyer who specializes in problem-solving, legal writing and has expertise in civil and banking laws. With a thorough understanding of the law, she pays close attention to the problem solving of the firm’s client and device strategies for the success completion of transactions. She has also successfully served clients from all around Pakistan with a variety of legal concerns. Mahnoor competently represent the firm’s client in the court of law and prepare the case briefs successfully.
Muhammad Hamza
Hamza graduated from Punjab University Law College (PULC) and also holds a Masters degree in Political Science. He is a practicing member of Punjab Bar Association. He handles all the civil, banking and commercial litigation of the firm. Hamza has expertise in revenue and land matters and has been doing land records due diligence. He is handling the corporate matter like Intellectual Property Rights, registration of limited liability companies, partnership matters, trademarks and copyrights etc. Hamza is handling the transactional banking matters including but not limited to property opinions, structuring and execution of the transactions. He has legal acumen and skills for solving various kinds of legal propositions and issues successfully.
