Three-day Basant festivities to be held under tight curbs
• Lahore DC sets Feb 6-8 as festival dates; nylon cords, metal wire prohibited
• Digital registration compulsory for manufacturers, sellers
• Safety wires mandatory for all motorbikes
LAHORE: The Lahore deputy commissioner (DC) on Monday formally authorised the celebration of Basant in the district, designating Feb 6-8, 2026, as the official dates for the festival, while explaining the terms and conditions, as well as restrictions and consequences of violations during the event.
Following the passage of Punjab Regulation of Kite Flying Bill, 2025, on Dec 24, the path was cleared for the festival to resume, ending a suspension of almost two decades.
This legislation empowered deputy commissioners to grant conditional permission for kite flying — an activity otherwise prohibited across the Punjab province — on specified dates and within designated locations.
Acting on these powers, the Lahore deputy commissioner issued a notification confirming the government’s approval.
“In exercise of powers conferred under section 6(1) of the Punjab Regulation of Kite Flying Ordinance, 2025 and in pursuance of approval of the government, it is hereby notified that kite-flying is allowed within the territorial limits of District Lahore on the occasion of Basant 2026,” the notification stated.
The notification, a copy of which is available with Dawn, emphasised that the permission is strictly subject to documented conditions.
While the notification did not restrict the activity to specific zones, implying that festivities are permitted across the entire district, it laid out a rigid framework for the manufacturing and trade of equipment.
The directive announced that the production and trade of “permissible kite flying material” will be lawful from Dec 30 through Feb 8, 2026. This permission requires manufacturers and traders to hold valid digital registration under Rule 3 of the Punjab Regulation of Kite Flying Rules 2025.
Commercial activity is tightly windowed; the sale of permissible material to the general public is authorised only from Feb 1 to 8, exclusively through registered sellers compliant with the new rules.
To facilitate this, the administration opened registration for manufacturers, traders, and sellers on Monday via the government’s e-biz app and the festival’s website.
The notification strictly prohibits any entity from manufacturing, storing, or selling material unless officially registered with the deputy commissioner’s office.
The district administration provided precise technical specifications for the equipment to ensure safety. Kites must not exceed 35 inches in width and 30 inches in length, while the “gudda” style kite is capped at 40 inches in width and 34 inches in length.
Furthermore, the administration placed stringent limits on kite string composition. The notification directed that string must be made of cotton, contain no more than nine threads, be “no less than 28-count”, and be coated with “maanjha” having a minimum glass abrasive size of 350 mesh.
The string must be wound strictly on “pinna” (twine balls), with the use of the traditional “charkhi” (spool) strictly prohibited.
Explicit bans remain on dangerous materials that historically led to fatal accidents. The manufacturing, transport, storage, sale, or use of sharp maanjha, nylon or plastic cords, metallic wire, or any other injurious material coated on thread is strictly forbidden.
“Any violation of this notification shall render the offender liable to action under the Punjab Regulation of Kite Flying Ordinance, 2025, the Punjab Regulation of Kite Flying Rules, 2025 and the Punjab Kite Flying Regulations, 2025 including cancellation of permission or registration, seizure of material and prosecution in accordance with the law,” the notification stated.
Kite flying was banned in Punjab in 2007 by former chief minister Chaudhry Parvez Elahi following a sharp rise in fatalities and serious injuries involving motorcyclists, who often fell victim to the sharp, chemical-coated strings used by kite flyers.
The Punjab government is attempting to revive the festival based on recommendations from PML-N chief and former premier Nawaz Sharif following consultations with stakeholders.
To mitigate risks, the deputy commissioner’s directive mandates that all motorcycle riders in the district install safety wires to protect against stray strings. Government agencies have been ordered to enforce compliance rigidly.
For other districts in Punjab to participate, respective deputy commissioners must issue similar notifications. However, challenges persist. Despite the current ban, recent incidents in Lahore and Pattoki have seen two youths injured by stray kite strings, prompting the Punjab Home Department to express deep concern regarding the illicit manufacture of materials.
The notification warned that registered associations must coordinate closely with the administration for the “smooth and safe conduct” of the event, reinforcing that compliance with safety regulations remains a condition for the festival’s revival.
Published in Dawn, December 30th, 2025