Lahore to host 10-day Basant festival from Jan 29 to Feb 7

Maryam Nawaz approves extended celebrations, with a one-day break for Kashmir Day and stricter safety measures planned

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday approved and rescheduled a 10-day Basant festival in Lahore, with celebrations set to take place from January 29 to February 7 2027. According to an official announcement, celebrations will be suspended for one day on February 5 to commemorate Kashmir Day.

The decision comes after the revival of Basant in Lahore earlier this year, when the traditional spring festival was held from February 6 to 8 after the provincial government lifted the 2007 ban on kite flying through an ordinance.

وزیراعلی مریم نواز شریف کا زندہ دلان لاہور کے لئے بڑی خوش خبری کا اعلان

لاہور میں 10 دن بسنت منائی جائے گی، وزیراعلی مریم نواز شریف نے منظوری دے دی

25 سال کے تعطل کے بعد رواں سال فروری میں 6 سے 8 فروری تک لاہور میں بسنت منائی گئی تھی

وزیراعلی مریم نواز شریف نے نئے سال 2027…

— Azma Zahid Bokhari (@AzmaBokhariPMLN) September 30, 2026

The chief minister directed the authorities to organise the expanded festival to mark the arrival of 2027 and promote Punjab's cultural heritage. "The 10-day Basant celebrations will help promote Punjab's cultural colours and Lahore's ancient historical tradition across the world," Maryam said.

She also directed the authorities to put in place stronger safety and public facilitation measures than those adopted during the previous festival. She appealed to the public to demonstrate responsibility and vigilance during the celebrations to help ensure the protection of human life.

The emphasis on safety comes after the three-day festival earlier this year resulted in 17 deaths and 160 injuries, according to official Home Department records. However, sources told The Express Tribune that the actual death toll was higher, at 21.

Kite flying and manufacturing were first banned in Punjab in 2005 after more than 25 people were killed. The ban was intermittently relaxed in 2006 and 2007 but was reimposed in 2007 following a rise in fatalities.

By 2024, more than 2,020 people had lost their lives in kite-flying-related incidents, according to available records. More than 90% of the deaths were caused by chemical-coated kite strings that cut victims' throats or faces.