Basant | Pakistan

Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari said the revival of Basant under Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has reignited public enthusiasm and restored a festive spirit across Lahore.

LAHORE: As Basant festivities kicked off on Friday after an 18-year hiatus, at least six kite-flying-related injuries have been reported in the city so far. In December last year, the Punjab government lifted the ban on kite flying and allowed the celebration of Basant with strict regulations. The kite-flying festival was banned in 2007 in Punjab 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. In the first incident, a 21-year-old man sustained injuries around his neck after coming in contact with a stray kite string in Lahore’s Defence Housing Authority (DHA). The young man was returning home from a local market on a bike when the string became entangled around his neck, leaving visible deep wounds. However, a police official claimed that the injured person was riding the bike without a safety rod. Earlier, the government had instructed the motorcyclists to install protective steel wire...

A man lost his life and at least five others, including children, were injured in separate kite-flying-related incidents across the city as Basant festivities commenced, rescue officials said on Friday.

The Lahore High Court has instructed relevant departments to put comprehensive safety plans in place to ensure the Basant festival is observed without incident.

The Punjab government has notified public holidays in the province on February 6 and 7 (Friday and Saturday) for Basant, said a notification. The notification was issued on Tuesday by the provincial government’s Services and General Administration Department, a copy of which is available with Dawn. “It is hereby notified for general information that 6th and 7th February, 2026 (Friday and Saturday) shall be observed as public holidays in the province of Punjab,” the notification said. On Sunday, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz had announced a “long weekend” in the province, declaring a Basant holiday. “Punjab will enjoy a long weekend with Kashmir Day on February 5, a provincial Basant holiday on the 6th, followed by Saturday and Sunday. “We hope people across Punjab take this time to relax, recharge, and make the most of the break,” she posted on X. The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has said dry weather with clear skies was expected for the majority of the Basant festival. “Mainly dry weather wi...

Kite enthusiasts in the provincial capital have spent more than Rs540 million on kites and strings over the past three days as preparations gather pace for the upcoming Basant festival, according to the Kite Association.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Tuesday said dry weather with clear skies was expected for the majority of the Basant festival, which is set to be celebrated in Lahore this week. “Mainly dry weather with clear skies is expected on 6th and 7th February, while dry weather with few cloudy conditions on 8th February, 2026 in Lahore during the Basant 2026,” the PMD said in a forecast posted on the social media platform X. It added that light westerly/north-westerly winds were likely to blow at the speed of 10 to 15 kilometres per hour, which was “suitable for safe kite-flying”. The PMD advised the festival participants to “exercise caution while flying kites, especially near electric lines and open roads”. The three-day Basant festival is set to kick off in Lahore from February 6, following the Punjab government’s decision to lift a ban on the historic event after 18 years, with strict regulations. Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has announced a “long weekend” in the province, declaring a “provi...

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has described Basant as more than a seasonal event, calling it a powerful expression of shared culture and collective joy.

Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb announced special measures to ease environmental pressure during the Basant festival, urging citizens to prioritize collective transportation over private vehicles.

Preparations for the revival of Basant are gathering pace as the Punjab cabinet has allowed the manufacturing of kite-flying material not only in Lahore but also in four additional districts, a move aimed at ensuring adequate supply ahead of the festival’s return after more than two decades.

The Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) has submitted a comprehensive 27-point plan to the Lahore High Court to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply and effective safety measures during the Basant festival.

LAHORE: The Punjab government on Monday gave approval for the manufacture of permissible kite-flying material in four more districts of the province owing to the increasing demand and soaring prices of these commodities ahead of the much-anticipated Basant festival in Lahore. Basant will be celebrated in Lahore from February 6-8, albeit under tight curbs, following the Punjab government’s move to lift the ban on the festival after a hiatus of 18 years. Celebrations, however, will remain restricted to the provincial capital, which until now was the only district where the manufacture of permissible kite-flying material was allowed. According to a February 1 letter by the Punjab Home Department to deputy commissioners (DC) concerned, the provincial cabinet has given approval for manufacturing the kite-flying material in Faisalabad, Kasur, Multan and Sheikhupura as well. The letter, seen by Dawn, said that the manufacturers should register themselves with the relevant DCs and through the Punjab government’s e-Bi...

The sale and purchase of kites and twine gathered momentum across the city on Sunday after the Punjab government allowed limited trading ahead of the Basant festival, drawing large crowds of enthusiasts to designated markets.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz announced on Sunday a “long weekend” in the province, declaring a Basant holiday. “Punjab will enjoy a long weekend with Kashmir Day on February 5, a provincial Basant holiday on the 6th, followed by Saturday and Sunday. We hope people across Punjab take this time to relax, recharge, and make the most of the break,” she posted on X. The kite-flying festival was banned in 2007 in Punjab 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. But now, a three-day Basant festival is set to kick off in Lahore from February 6, following the Punjab government’s decision to lift a ban on the historic event after 18 years, with strict regulations.

Lahore Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Bilal Siddique Kaimkhani has directed owners of rooftops designated for Basant celebrations to submit surety bonds, ensuring strict compliance with safety Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

Preparations for Basant have officially begun in Lahore as the sale of kites, spools and kite string started from Saturday.

After a gap of more than 20 years, Lahore is set to celebrate the vibrant festival of Basant from February 6 to 8, with the sale of kites and strings officially starting from Sunday.

The Punjab government has declared a five-day holiday in Lahore from February 4 to February 8 in connection with upcoming religious observances and Basant festivities.

The Punjab government has imposed Section 144 across the province to prevent incitement and maintain public order during the upcoming Basant celebrations, introducing a set of restrictions aimed at ensuring public safety.

LAHORE: With the festival of Basant drawing closer, the Punjab government on Monday imposed a ban on the manufacturing and use of kites bearing images of any political party’s flag for 30 days. In the notification seen by Dawn, the Punjab Home Department notified the imposition of Section 144 prohibiting the purchase and use of kites bearing images of any person, holy scripture, religious place, country’s flag or that of a political party in an effort to “avoid any discrimination or disruption of public order”. The department said that it had been reported that to disrupt the festival, miscreants may use images of holy scripture, religious places and flags of countries and political parties. “Only plain, uni-coloured or multi-coloured kites (i.e. gudda or patang) shall be allowed during kite flying in the district of Lahore from February 6 to 8,” the department said. It asserted that the government had permitted kite flying solely for “recreation and festivity”, while banning “the manufacturing, trade, transp...