LAHORE: The Punjab government has planned a rigorous regulatory framework for safe celebration of Basant scheduled for March 12 to 14, 2027, in Lahore, with harsh penalties, including multi-million-rupee fines and prison sentences for unauthorised kite flying.

Reviewing security arrangements for “Safe Basant 2027”, a meeting, chaired by Home Secretary Dr Ahmad Javed Qazi, outlined zero-tolerance security guidelines, requiring building owners to ensure structural safety, conduct repairs and complete safety measures by Dec 31, 2026.

Declaring that unsafe or structurally unsound rooftops would face an absolute ban, the home secretary tasked the deputy commissioner Lahore with inspecting old structures. He said permits for manufacturers, sellers, and transporters would be issued within the month.

The meeting was attended by Special Secretary (Home) Zainab Khan as well as Lahore-based officers, including the commissioner, DC, DIG Operations and CTO besides other officials concerned.

Fines up to Rs5m and prison sentence up to seven years announced for violators

The chief traffic officer Lahore has been directed to make arrangements to install safety rods on over two million motorcycles free-of-cost while the Lahore Electric Supply Company (Lesco) will equip electrical installations with protective netting.

Outside the three designated festival days, the home secretary said kite flying would remain illegal and strictly banned across the province, punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of Rs2m. Furthermore, manufacturing, transporting, or selling kites and strings without government approval carries severe penalties of up to seven years’ imprisonment alongside a fine of Rs5m.

Mr Qazi directed the Lahore administration to ensure that kite flying is not permitted on any unsafe or structurally unsound rooftop. Building owners have been made responsible for safety arrangements at the rooftops to be used for kite flying.

“Rooftop walls and grills must be at least three-and-a-half feet high and structurally sound,” he said, directing that repairs to rooftops, parapets and stairways at authorised locations be completed before Basant. Building owners have been told to complete all safety arrangements by Dec 31 this year. The meeting decided that the DC would issue permits during the current month for manufacturing, transportation and sale of kites and kite strings.

“Ensuring safety of children during kite flying would be the primary responsibility of parents, guardians and event organisers,” Dr Qazi said.

“The DC will have the authority to seal any building found violating directions or law,” he said and added that the owner of a building and the organiser would be held responsible for any accident, loss of life, injury or violation of law occurring during Basant.

Published in Dawn, September 11th, 2026