Govt pushes ahead with Basant revival, imposes strict kite laws

The Punjab government has moved forward with preparations to revive the Basant festival in Lahore in February, finalising a detailed regulatory framework that includes registration fees for kite-related businesses, strict material standards, enhanced enforcement measures, and new safety requirements for motorcyclists.

The Lahore district administration has announced registration fees for kite and string manufacturers as part of the first phase of official preparations. Under the new rules, kite and string manufacturers will be required to pay a registration fee of Rs1,000, while kite-flying associations will be registered for Rs5,000.

Officials said manufacturers and sellers must submit a Form A to apply for registration, while kite-flying associations will be required to complete Form C.

Read: Basant returns to Pindi under strict rules

Upon approval, government certificates will be provided under Form B, with additional documentation under Form D for associations.

Authorities said the registration process is mandatory and aims to bring the entire supply chain — from manufacturing and sale to organised kite flying — under state oversight. The Punjab Home Department said it has also finalised technical specifications for kite size, materials, and string quality, warning that any use of metallic or chemically treated string will remain strictly prohibited. Violations could result in cancellation of registration, criminal charges, and legal action.

The provincial government has granted conditional permission for Basant to be celebrated in Lahore from February 6 to 8, marking the return of the spring festival after a ban that remained in place for about two decades. The festival was prohibited in the early 2000s following a series of fatal incidents linked to chemical-coated kite strings.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has directed authorities to enforce the Basant Ordinance without exception. Speaking during a meeting to review arrangements, she confirmed that Basant would be celebrated on February 6, 7, and 8, and announced a citywide safety campaign requiring all motorcycles in Lahore to be fitted with safety antennas.

The campaign, she said, would begin immediately. “Every motorcycle in Lahore must have a safety antenna,” the chief minister said, stressing that the measure was necessary to reduce the risk of injuries caused by kite strings during the festival.

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She described the revival of Basant as a cultural milestone, saying the festival’s return would restore Lahore’s identity as a spring celebration hub and attract visitors from across Pakistan and abroad.

Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari said the government was committed to ensuring that Basant is held in a controlled and safe manner. She warned that the manufacture, sale, or use of metallic or chemically treated string would carry severe penalties, including prison terms ranging from three to five years and fines of up to Rs2 million.

Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, who chaired the meeting that approved the festival’s revival, said deputy commissioners have been directed to personally supervise registered kite-flying associations and monitor enforcement, adding that no banned material would be allowed to enter the supply chain under any circumstances.

Officials maintain that improved enforcement mechanisms, defined safety standards, and strict accountability will prevent a repeat of past tragedies.

The revival of Basant has drawn mixed reactions, with supporters welcoming the return of a cultural tradition and critics urging caution. Authorities say the continuation of the festival will depend on strict compliance, public cooperation, and the effective enforcement of safety laws during the three-day event.