Lahore: The Punjab government has announced that Basant will be celebrated across the provincial capital on February 6, 7 and 8, marking the festival’s return under strict regulatory controls after nearly 18 years.
The decision was finalised in a high-level meeting chaired by Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, where officials unanimously agreed to revive the festival while ensuring full enforcement of the existing Basant law.
According to officials, motorcycles will be required to carry mandatory safety rods, and kite strings will only be manufactured at designated, government-supervised facilities within Lahore. The Punjab Home Department has also begun formal registration of kite manufacturers, string makers, sellers, buyers and kite-flying associations as part of a wider framework to regulate the festival.
The registration process includes submission of Form A for individuals, issuance of certificates under Form B, and separate Forms C and D for kite-flying associations. Specifications for kite size, material and permissible string quality have already been finalised. Authorities have warned that banned or chemically coated strings will not be allowed under any circumstances.
Officials added that violations may lead to cancellation of registration and legal action.
Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari stated that Basant would be “completely safe, regulated, and strictly monitored,” emphasising that the event would not be permitted to revert to the hazardous activity it once was. She noted that the manufacture or sale of metallic or chemically treated string carries penalties of three to five years in prison and fines of up to PKR 2 million.
Deputy commissioners have been directed to supervise registered associations and ensure the supply chain remains free of banned materials. Officials maintain that the regulatory structure aims to balance cultural revival with public safety, ensuring the festival proceeds in a controlled and monitored environment.
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