Government goes ahead with revival of Basant, imposes strict kite laws

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

The Lahore district administration has announced the registration fees for kite and string makers as part of the first phase of official preparations. Under the new rules, kite and string makers will have to pay a registration fee of Rs 1,000, while kite flying associations will register for Rs 5,000.

Officials said manufacturers and sellers must submit Form A to apply for registration, while kite flying associations will have to fill Form C.

Read: Basant returns to Pindi under strict rules

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

Officials said the registration process is mandatory and aims to put the entire supply chain, from manufacturing and sales to organized kite flying, under state supervision. The Punjab Home Department said it has also finalized technical specifications for kite size, materials and quality of strings, warning that any use of metallic or chemically treated strings 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 held 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 banned in the early 2000s following a series of deadly incidents involving chemical-coated kite strings.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has directed authorities to enforce the Basant Ordinance without exception. During a meeting to review arrangements, he confirmed that Basant would be held on February 6, 7 and 8 and announced a city-wide safety campaign requiring all motorcycles in Lahore to be equipped with safety antennas.

The campaign, he said, would begin immediately. “All motorcycles in Lahore must have a safety antenna,” the prime 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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He described the revival of Basant as a cultural milestone and said the return of the festival would restore Lahore’s identity as a hub of spring celebration and attract visitors from across Pakistan and abroad.

Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari said the government was committed to ensuring Basant is detained in a controlled and safe manner. It warned that the manufacture, sale or use of metallic or chemically treated threads would carry severe penalties, including imprisonment of three to five years and fines of up to Rs 2 million.

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

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

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