LHC approached against permission to celebrate Basant

LAHORE:

A miscellaneous petition has been filed in Lahore High Court (LHC) by Advocate Azhar Siddique, challenging the notification that allows kite-flying activities on February 6, 7 and 8.

The petitioner contended that the notification poses a serious threat to public safety. It was pointed out that a young girl and a youth were recently critically injured in separate incidents involving kite strings, underscoring the continuing risks associated with the practice.

The petition further maintained that in the past, numerous valuable lives have been lost due to kite-string-related incidents, despite existing bans and safety concerns.

The petitioner has requested the court to order the withdrawal of the impugned notification issued by the Deputy Commissioner.

It has also been pleaded that the court suspend the notification until the final adjudication 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 an extensive set of safety regulations aimed at protecting lives while restoring one of the city's most celebrated cultural traditions.

Lahore Deputy Commissioner Syed Musa Raza issued an official notification permitting Basant celebrations within the district limits on Feb 6, 7 and 8, 2026. The move marked a significant policy shift after years of restrictions, with authorities emphasising that the festival will proceed only under strict enforcement of safety laws and regulatory oversight.

According to the notification, kite flying would be allowed exclusively on the three designated days, while the manufacture, trade and sale of approved kite-flying materials 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 underway.