Basant Festival to Be Celebrated Only in Lahore, Punjab Home Department Confirms

Basant Festival to Be Celebrated Only in Lahore, Punjab Government Confirms

LAHORE: In a significant policy decision, the Punjab government has announced that the Basant festival will be celebrated only in Lahore, with no plans to allow kite-flying festivities elsewhere in the province.

The announcement comes after an 18-year ban, following the passage of the Punjab Regulation of Kite Flying Bill, 2025, which was approved by the provincial assembly on December 24. The bill allows limited and regulated Basant celebrations under strict safety conditions.

According to officials, the Lahore deputy commissioner has formally notified a three-day Basant festival from February 6 to 8, 2026. However, deputy commissioners in other districts will not issue similar notifications, as celebrations have been restricted exclusively to the provincial capital.

The decision was finalized during the 46th Cabinet Committee on Law and Order meeting, chaired by Khawaja Salman Rafique, held at the Punjab Home Department. The committee concluded that Basant would be conducted on a limited scale and only within Lahore.

Punjab Home Secretary Dr Ahmad Javed Qazi told the meeting that the provincial cabinet had approved Basant celebrations solely for Lahore, while kite flying would remain completely banned in the rest of Punjab under the new law.

Sources revealed that divisional commissioners and deputy commissioners across Punjab were invited to attend the meeting via video link, specifically to brief them on the Basant-related policy and enforcement measures.

Officials said earlier proposals to allow Basant at designated rooftops or specific locations, including areas within the Walled City, were discussed but ultimately limited to a pilot project in Lahore only.

The government has already directed authorities to register kite and twine manufacturers in advance and ensure strict monitoring to prevent illegal production and sale of hazardous materials.

A senior divisional commissioner described the Lahore celebrations as a test case, urging citizens to follow safety guidelines strictly. “Any serious incident could result in Basant being banned permanently,” the official warned.

To manage traffic and ensure public safety, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has directed public transport operators to offer free rides on buses and rickshaws during the festival days, while encouraging residents to minimize motorcycle use. Buses from colleges and universities may also be deployed to facilitate movement.

Meanwhile, the Home Department has issued directives to all commissioners, deputy commissioners, and senior police officers across Punjab to take strict action against illegal kite flying, following reports of injuries caused by stray and chemical-coated kite strings.

In an official letter, the department warned that such activities pose a serious threat to human life and public safety, and violators — including kite flyers, manufacturers, and suppliers — could face arrest and legal action under the Punjab Regulation of Kite Flying Ordinance, 2025.

The meeting also emphasized enhanced security arrangements for New Year’s Eve, with strict action planned against aerial firing, hooliganism, and one-wheeling. Additionally, the deployment of Rangers has been extended in Mianwali, Attock, and Dera Ghazi Khan.

Kite flying has historically caused numerous injuries and fatalities in Punjab, particularly due to chemical-coated, glass-lined, or metal kite strings. In a recent incident, a six-year-old girl was seriously injured after a kite string slashed her throat while she was riding a motorcycle with her brother. She was rushed to DHQ Hospital for treatment.

Authorities have reiterated that public cooperation and strict compliance with safety laws are essential to ensure that Basant can be revived responsibly in the future.