LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Wednesday summoned a police report on the deaths and injuries reported during the Basant festival.

Justice Malik Awais Khalid was hearing the petitions filed by the Judicial Activism Panel and others challenging the Punjab Regulation of Kite Flying Act 2026.

During the proceedings, SSP Operations Muhammad Tauqir, Home Deputy Secretary Afzal Bashir and other officials appeared before the court.

The government law officers furnished reports on behalf of the home department and other authorities.

Advocate Azhar Siddique, one of the petitioners’ counsel, said he had initially approached the court against the Basant law.

However, he said, safety measures and administrative arrangements were ensured following the intervention of the court.

He said the credit for organising a safer Basant this year went to the court.

The lawyer clarified that he was not opposed to the Basant festival itself but wanted the safety of the citizens. He said the state institutions became active only after the court’s directions.

He informed the court that incidents of throat-slitting by kite strings were comparatively fewer this year, however, six people had lost their lives and 124 others had been injured during the three-day Basant.

Justice Khalid directed the CCPO to submit a comprehensive report on Feb 18 regarding the fatalities and injuries that occurred during Basant.

Published in Dawn, February 12th, 2026