Lahore revives Basant 2026 but keeps kite-flying on a tight string

SOPs in place to balance cultural revival and public safety as Basant is set to be celebrated from February 6 to 8

The Lahore district administration has formally approved the conditional revival of Basant in 2026, allowing kite flying under an extensive set of safety regulations aimed at protecting lives while restoring one of the city’s most celebrated cultural traditions.

Deputy Commissioner Syed Musa Raza issued a notification permitting Basant celebrations within the district limits scheduled for February 6, 7 and 8. The move marks a significant policy shift after years of restrictions, with authorities emphasising that the festival will proceed under strict enforcement of safety laws and regulatory oversight.

According to the notification, kite flying will be allowed exclusively on the three designated days, while the manufacture, trade and sale of approved kite-flying material will be regulated through a mandatory registration system. Manufacturers, traders and sellers must complete digital registration via the e-Biz application or the official portal basant.punjab.gov.pk, with the registration process already under way.

The administration specified that the production and trade of kite-flying material will be permitted from December 30, 2025 through February 8, 2026. Retail sale to the public, however, will be restricted to February 1 through February 8. Only registered vendors will be authorised to sell kite-flying material and all certificates must be displayed prominently at business premises.

Authorities have imposed a ban on spools and all forms of hazardous kite string, including nylon, plastic, metallic wire, chemical-coated or glass-coated maanjha.

Only cotton string meeting strict technical specifications will be allowed, and it must be wound in a round form known as 'pinna'. Each pinna will carry a unique QR code to ensure traceability and verification.

The notification also defines permissible kite dimensions. A ‘patang’ may not exceed 35 inches in width and 30 inches in length, while a ‘guda’ must be 40 inches in width and 34 inches in length.

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Any deviation from these limits will invite legal action under the Punjab Regulation of Kite Flying Ordinance 2025.

In an added safety measure, motorcycle riders will be required to install protective safety wires on their two-wheelers to reduce the risk of injuries caused by stray strings. Law enforcement agencies and district officials have been instructed to launch crackdowns against the sale or use of prohibited materials, with a zero-tolerance policy in place.

Speaking on the revival, Deputy Commissioner Musa Raza said Basant is a cultural hallmark of Lahore but stressed that public safety remains the administration’s top priority.

“Basant is part of Lahore’s heritage. Making it safe is our collective responsibility,” he said, adding that business operators may begin lawful commercial activity from Tuesday after completing all registration requirements.

Standard operating procedures have been issued for district administration officials, police, kite-flying associations and citizens. Kite-flying associations, seeking to operate during the festival, must also register online and meet prescribed criteria, including a minimum membership requirement and a commitment to promoting safe practices and public awareness.

Officials said the framework aims to strike a balance between cultural revival and citizen safety. Any individual or business found manufacturing, storing, transporting or selling unapproved material without registration will face penalties, seizure of goods and legal proceedings.

With the notification now in effect, authorities say preparations are under way to ensure that Basant 2026 is celebrated as a regulated, secure and community-oriented event — restoring a long-silenced tradition while prioritising the protection of lives and public order.