Punjab CM warns of strict penalties for illegal kite-flying during Basant

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz announced on Friday that strict penalties would be enforced during the upcoming three-day Basant festival from February 6 to 8, warning that anyone caught flying kites outside the designated dates or violating safety rules could face fines, imprisonment or other legal action.

Speaking at a high-level meeting on the festival, the chief minister said the event would be launched on the night of February 6, with formal celebrations beginning the next day.

“I want to return happiness to the people of Punjab,” she said, arguing that the public had been pushed away from recreation and celebrations. “Everyone in Punjab has the right to celebrate festivals,” she added, citing occasions such as Eid, Holi, Christmas and Ramazan.

She described Basant as a historic spring celebration dating back around 800 years, calling it “part of Punjab’s culture and heritage” and noting that the world recognised Punjab’s cultural significance.

Acknowledging the tragic incidents previously associated with Basant, CM Maryam emphasised that public safety was the government’s top priority. “It is regrettable that a festival like Basant had become linked with accidents,” she said, adding that a comprehensive safety plan had been prepared.

She explained that Lahore would be divided into red, yellow, and green zones, with areas reporting kite-string incidents designated as red zones. Motorbikes would only be allowed in red zones if fitted with safety rods, and riding without a rod would incur a Rs2,000 fine. “One million motorbikes in Lahore will be fitted with safety rods free of cost,” she said.

Outlined restrictions on kite-flying include:

• Only “pinna” cotton strings of nine threads will be allowed; spools, nylon, and metal wire strings are banned.
• Kites and “gudda” larger than approved sizes are prohibited.
• Kite-flying outside February 6–8 will carry legal penalties, and parents or guardians will be held responsible for illegal kite-flying.

CM Maryam further warned, “The use of prohibited string could lead to up to five years in prison and a fine of up to Rs5 million.”

She added that rewards would be given to anyone providing information about violations.

The permitted sizes during the festival will be a 35-inch kite and a 40-inch gudda. Ahead of Basant, authorities have already registered more than 600 cases, arrested 641 people, recovered over 27,000 illegal kites, and obtained more than 10,000 surety bonds from stakeholders.

Public safety, monitoring, and transport arrangements

The chief minister further said 4,000 police personnel, along with workers from the Suthra Punjab initiative, would be deployed, with monitoring carried out via CCTV cameras and drones. She added that traffic, police, fire brigade, ambulance, and health plans had been prepared.

A special traffic plan includes 100 traffic police camps. To discourage risky motorbike use, the government will provide free rides: 500 buses, free travel on the Orange Line, Metrobus, electric bus, and feeder buses, and 6,000 Yango rickshaws offering 60,000 rides across 24 routes.

Special control rooms have been set up at Safe City and the commissioner’s office for 24/7 monitoring. CM Maryam urged the public to avoid misinformation or rumours.

“Basant is a historic and cultural festival, but kite-flying is a public safety issue, not a joke,” she said, underscoring the government’s commitment to a safe and joyful celebration.