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LAHORE:
Advocate Azhar Siddique has filed a miscellaneous petition before the Lahore High Court (LHC), challenging the notification allowing kite flying activities on February 6, 7 and 8.
The petitioner maintained that the notification represents a serious threat to public safety. It was noted that a girl and a young man were recently seriously injured in separate incidents involving kite strings, underlining the continued risks associated with the practice.
The petition further maintained that numerous valuable lives have been lost in the past due to incidents involving kite strings, despite existing bans and safety concerns.
The petitioner has requested the court to order withdrawal of the impugned notification issued by the Deputy Commissioner.
It has also been requested that the court stay the notification until the final decision of the main petition, in the interest of public safety.
On Monday, the Lahore district administration formally approved the conditional revival of Basant in 2026, allowing kite flying under a comprehensive set of safety norms aimed at protecting lives while restoring one of the city’s most famous cultural traditions.
Lahore Deputy Commissioner Syed Musa Raza issued an official notification allowing Basant celebrations within the district limits on February 6, 7 and 8, 2026. The move marked a significant policy change after years of restrictions, with authorities emphasizing that the festival will be held only under strict enforcement of safety laws and regulatory oversight.
According to the notification, kite flying would be allowed exclusively on the designated three days, while manufacturing, trade and sale of approved kite flying materials would be regulated through a mandatory registration system. Manufacturers, traders and sellers need to complete the digital registration through the e-Biz app or the official basant.punjab.gov.pk portal, and the registration process is already underway.
