- Lahore swept up in basant colors as the preparations reached their peak.
- Supply of kite flying material outside Lahore can reduce prices.
- Lahore authorities conduct roof inspections using drone cameras.
Preparations for Basant are in full swing as the Punjab Cabinet has allowed the manufacture of kite-flying material not only in Lahore but also in four more districts, marking a significant step ahead of the festival’s return after more than two decades.
According to a notification, the production of permitted kite-making material has been approved in Faisalabad, Kasur, Sheikhupura and Multan, where the manufacturers have to be registered with their respective deputy commissioners.
The Punjab government last month allowed Basant celebrations under strict conditions and lifted a long ban on kite flying. The festival will be celebrated in Lahore from February 6 to 8, reviving a long-missed cultural tradition in the city.
Welcoming the decision, Lahore-based president of the Consumers Association, Muhammad Yaseen, said the permission to manufacture kites and strings in other cities was a positive development. He noted that the supply of kite flying material outside Lahore could lead to a reduction in prices.
According to Yaseen, the availability of these items in the market can bring prices down by up to 30%. He further said that kite flying material should also be allowed to be supplied from other cities across the country.
Lahore has been swept up in basant colors as preparations reach their peak. The city is immersed in festive hues with the Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) installing a giant kite at Liberty Chowk.
Major arteries including Jail Road, Gulberg, Mall Road and other thoroughfares have been decorated, while lights, colorful decor and kite models have transformed the cityscape, delighting residents and visitors alike.
speaks to Pakinomist newsPHA Managing Director Raja Mansoor Ahmed said public cooperation was essential to ensure a safe Basant. He urged citizens to follow government-issued SOPs and adopt safety measures during the celebrations.
Alongside the festivities, there are strict surveillance arrangements. Authorities are conducting inspections on the roof using drone cameras, and every kite flying on the rooftop must be recorded, according to the commissioner. Tag registration for kite flying will be allowed only in accordance with administrative SOPs.
Rapid response teams will check NOCs for every roof, with Commissioner Maryam Khan saying there will be zero tolerance for violations under Basant. She also said that awareness campaigns regarding Basant code of conduct are going on in the educational institutions.
Markets have echoed with festive music and food stalls, reviving memories of a tradition that has been absent from the city for over two decades.
Crowded markets, eager enthusiasts and bursts of color marked the build-up to Basant in Lahore as women, children and youth thronged kite markets across the city to prepare for the much-awaited festival.
The historic Mochi Gate remained packed with buyers due to fears that dragons would run out of stock, while the festive buzz, filled with music, food and colors, signaled the return of Basant after an absence of many years.
Provincial departments have also joined the citizens in the preparations with public transport buses adorned with Basant-themed artwork. Speedo and green electric buses have been decorated with Punjab-inspired colors and images, while free travel will be available on the Metro bus, Orange Line, Speedo and electric bus services during the festival.
Meanwhile, the Lahore Deputy Commissioner has constituted quick response teams in all tehsils to ensure public safety, surveillance and a quick emergency response during the celebrations.
