Kite string prices touch the sky

Buyers complain as prices double, supplies dry up

LAHORE:

As Lahore gears up for a tightly regulated three-day Basant Festival from Feb 6 to 8, soaring prices of kites and string, market shortages and enforcement challenges have triggered court intervention, administrative action and heightened government oversight, even as public enthusiasm remains high after a gap of nearly 25 years.

For the fourth consecutive day, kite markets across the city, particularly around Mochi Gate and adjoining inner-city areas, witnessed heavy rush, with buyers thronging shops despite sharply rising prices.

Many shoppers complained that both kites and string were either unavailable or being sold at nearly double the rates seen at the start of the officially allowed buying window on Feb 1.

According to buyers and traders, prices of kite string (dor) have jumped by up to 100 per cent within days. A two-piece pauna of string is now selling for as much as Rs14,000, while kite prices have also surged, with a single tawa being sold for around Rs300 and one-and-a-half tawa fetching up to Rs450.

Several citizens said that even at these rates, supplies remain limited, forcing people to visit multiple markets without success.

"I came yesterday and again today, but most shops say the stock is finished," said one buyer, Ahmad Raza. "Whatever is available is far beyond the reach of ordinary people."

The issue of price hikes has now reached the Lahore High Court (LHC). A citizen, Muhammad Arsalan, has challenged the increase in kite and string prices, arguing that while the Punjab government approved the revival of Basant, no effective measures were taken to control prices.

The petitioner maintained that the escalating costs have placed Basant-related items beyond the purchasing power of average citizens.

Taking notice, the court has directed the Lahore commissioner to take immediate and effective steps to control the prices of kites and string, signalling growing concern over unchecked profiteering ahead of the festival.

Meanwhile, enforcement issues have also surfaced. Ahead of Basant, a case was registered against four police officials of Gujjarpura police station for allegedly seizing kites from citizens and demanding bribes.

According to the FIR, an assistant sub-inspector and three other officials stopped three individuals on the pretext of barcode verification on kites and allegedly released them after taking Rs56,000 in cash and 100 bundles of kites from each.

The case was registered after an audio recording of the officials' conversation went viral on social media, prompting senior officers to take notice. The accused officials have been booked under Section 155-C and other charges.

On the administrative front, Senior Provincial Minister Maryam Aurangzeb conducted a late-night visit to inner-city areas, including Mochi Gate, to review Basant arrangements. She inspected QR-coded kites, checked the string without spools (charkhi), reviewed compliance with safety standard operating procedures and interacted directly with shopkeepers and citizens.

Maryam Aurangzeb said the revival of Basant has brought visible joy to Lahoris, adding that the entire government machinery is active to ensure the festival remains safe and well-organised. She said Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif is personally overseeing arrangements.

The senior minister directed the home department, police, traffic police, transport authorities and Rescue 1122 to ensure effective traffic management, alternative routes and rapid emergency response.

As part of safety measures, she announced that 519 buses, 60,000 rickshaws, the Metro Bus and the Orange Line Train will provide free services during Basant.

She also reiterated that motorcycles without safety rods will not be allowed on roads, while traffic wardens and city police continue distributing protective rods in various localities.

Security and monitoring have been further tightened, with city police deploying drone surveillance in inner-city areas to monitor kite flying. Police officials have reiterated that kite flying is strictly permitted only from Feb 6 to 8, warning that anyone violating the schedule will face arrest.

Health authorities have placed Lahore on high alert for the festival. Doctors from Faisalabad and Gujranwala have been called in to strengthen the emergency response, with surgeons, ENT specialists, assistant professors, and senior registrars deployed across Kot Khawaja Saeed, Mayo (Yakki Gate), Services, Sir Ganga Ram, Mian Munshi and other hospitals.

Additional medical staff from allied and teaching hospitals will also remain on special duty throughout the festival days.

Adding to the festive mood, the Met Office has forecast pleasant weather during Basant, with no rain expected over the three days. Officials said a mix of sunshine and cloud cover is likely, accompanied by mild winds, cooler nights, and slightly warmer daytime temperatures.

Despite rising prices, shortages, and strict enforcement, public interest in Basant remains strong. However, many citizens warn that unless prices are controlled and supplies stabilised, the celebration risks slipping out of reach for a large segment of the population, a concern now firmly on both the government's and the court's radar as Lahore prepares for the festival's return.