Basant | Pakistan

The district administration on Saturday announced registration fees and safety regulations for kite and string manufacturers following the Punjab government’s conditional approval to revive Basant celebrations.

LAHORE - Punjab will officially revive one of South Asia’s most vibrant spring festivals next month, as the govern­ment lifted the a ban of more than a decade on Basant, the centuries-old kite-flying celebration once halted after deadly incidents caused by ra­zor-sharp kite strings.

A three-day Basant festival would kick off in Lahore from February 6, 2026, following the Punjab government’s decision to lift a ban on the historic event of celebration, colours, and kite-flying after 18 years, with strict regulations. The festival was banned in 2007 because of an increasing number of deaths and serious injuries caused by sharp strings, particularly to motorcyclists and pillion riders, as well as by celebratory gunfire. “The Basant festival will be held in Lahore from Feb 6 to 8, 2026,” Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari told Dawn on Wednesday. The festival would be “completely safe, regulated, and strictly monitored,” she added. In a post on X, Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said, “CM Punjab Maryam Nawaz has approved the revival of our beloved Heritage Basant Festival on February 6th, 7th and 8th, celebrated across Lahore after 25 years, a tradition rooted in history and admired worldwide.“ On CM Punjab’s directions, a city-wide campaign to install safety antennas on all mo...

After a hiatus of 18 years, the Punjab government on Tuesday lifted the ban on kite flying and allowed the celebration of Basant with strict regulations. The festival was banned in 2007 because of an increasing number of deaths and serious injuries caused by sharp strings, particularly to motorcyclists and pillion riders, as well as by celebratory gunfire. Basant Panchami, with ‘panchami’ meaning the fifth day of the lunar month Magh, is a celebration of future crop prosperity, spring, and good luck. Historically, in the 19th century, Maharaja Ranjit Singh held an annual Basant fair and introduced kite flying as a regular feature. The association of kite flying with Basant soon became a tradition centred in Lahore, which remains the regional hub of the festival throughout Punjab even today. However, the festival has also traditionally been celebrated in other parts of Punjab, including Indian Punjab. Over time, the festival began to be celebrated across the country. During the festival, the city sky is filled...

LAHORE - The Punjab government on Wednesday issued the Kite Flying Ordinance 2025, officially ending an 18-year ban on kite flying (Basant festival) while imposing strict new rules to prevent accidents and loss of life, especially among children.

The Punjab government has officially permitted kite flying after 25 years, issuing a new ordinance—signed by the Governor—that conditionally allows Basant celebrations under strict regulations.