Government pushes ahead with Basant revival, imposes strict dragon laws

The Punjab government has moved ahead with preparations to revive the Basant festival in Lahore in February, finalizing a detailed legislative framework that includes registration fees for kite-related businesses, strict material standards, enhanced enforcement measures and new safety requirements for motorcyclists.

The Lahore district administration has announced registration fees for kite and string makers as part of the first phase of official preparations. Under the new rules, kite and string makers will have to pay a registration fee of Rs.1,000, while kite flying associations will be registered for Rs.5,000.

Officials said manufacturers and sellers must submit a Form A to apply for registration, while kite flying associations must fill Form C.

Read: Basant returns to Pindi under strict rules

Upon approval, state certificates will be provided under Form B, with additional documentation under Form D for associations.

Authorities said the registration process is mandatory and aims to bring the entire supply chain — from manufacturing and sales to organized kite flying — under government oversight. The Punjab home ministry said it has also finalized technical specifications for kite size, materials and string quality and warns that any use of metallic or chemically treated string remains strictly prohibited. Violations may result in cancellation of registration, criminal charges and legal action.

The provincial government has given conditional permission for Basant to be celebrated in Lahore from February 6 to 8, marking the return of the spring festival after a ban that remained in place for about two decades. The festival was banned in the early 2000s following a series of fatal incidents involving chemical-coated kite strings.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has directed the authorities to enforce the Basant Ordinance without exception. Speaking at a meeting to review the arrangements, she confirmed that Basant would be celebrated on February 6, 7 and 8 and announced a city-wide safety campaign requiring all motorcycles in Lahore to be equipped with safety antennas.

The campaign, she said, would begin immediately. “Every motorcycle in Lahore must have a safety antenna,” the chief minister said, stressing that the measure was necessary to reduce the risk of injuries caused by kite strings during the festival.

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She described the revival of Basant as a cultural milestone and said the return of the festival would restore Lahore’s identity as a center of spring celebrations and attract visitors from all over Pakistan and abroad.

Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari said the government was committed to ensuring that Basant is kept in a controlled and safe manner. She warned that making, selling or using metallic or chemically treated string would attract severe penalties, including jail terms from three to five years and fines of up to Rs2 million.

Senior minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, who chaired the meeting that approved the festival’s revival, said deputy commissioners have been asked to personally monitor registered kite flying associations and monitor enforcement, adding that no banned material would be allowed to enter the supply chain under any circumstances.

Officials argue that improved enforcement mechanisms, defined safety standards and strict accountability will prevent a repeat of past tragedies.

The revival of Basant has drawn mixed reactions, with supporters cheering the return of a cultural tradition and critics urging caution. Authorities say the continuation of the festival will depend on strict compliance, public cooperation and effective enforcement of security laws during the three-day event.