People on their rooftops enjoy kite flying at Lahore’s Bhati Gate. PHOTO: SCREEN-GRAB/X/MARYAMNSHARIF
LAHORE:
The provincial capital did not sleep to welcome Basant on Thursday as fireworks lit up the night sky after midnight, kites rose from rooftops and music drifted through the walled city and beyond in the city long known as the home of the ‘patang-baaz’ – kite flyers by instinct – marking the return of the festival after nearly two decades.
At Liberty Chowk, crowds gathered in pent-up anticipation and erupted in cheers as the city slipped into celebration.
With the three-day festival officially beginning today (February 6), Lahore slipped into full festive mode, its skyline punctuated by soaring kites and its streets washed in colour, anticipation and tightly controlled order.
Major intersections, underpasses and public spaces glowed with bunting and oversized kite installations, while the rooftops deep within the old city brimmed with preparations and promises.
“These colors spread across Lahore’s sky are a reflection of our vitality and ancient culture,” Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz wrote on social media as the clock struck 12.
“Basant is not just a festival; it is a part of Punjab’s tradition. We wish the citizens a day filled with joy and celebration.”
Markets traditionally synonymous with Basant such as Mochi Gate, Delhi Gate, Shah Alam Market and Anarkali remained crowded late into the night as buyers stocked up on kites, bobbins, fairy lights and festive paraphernalia.
Shopkeepers said excitement grew steadily as there was cautious curiosity on February 1, and unbridled enthusiasm followed as people realized the revival was real.
Meanwhile, Liberty Chowk emerged as the symbolic center of festivities, transformed into a civic party hall adorned with giant kites and lights. Families, young couples and groups of friends gathered to participate.
Enthusiasts say the fundamental shift is that this is the first Basant not whispered or hidden, but sanctioned, visible and confidently public.
“Joy has returned as permission. The people want to believe in the good and despite rising prices, Lahoris did not hesitate to participate,” said a citizen of Johar Town. “At least there’s entertainment now.”
Similarly, Basant is not confined to rooftops alone but has returned to public life.
Earlier, the sense of openness deepened on Thursday when Maryam Nawaz Sharif paid a surprise visit to Liberty Chowk and later Mochi Gate, stepping into the crowd and engaging directly with citizens. She spoke to residents, posed for selfies and instructed her security personnel to step aside so she could move freely among the people.
Children, dressed in festive yellow, attracted special attention. The Chief Minister was seen shaking hands with a young girl, exchanging greetings with others and blessing an infant carried by a citizen.
Residents praised her performance, with some noting the political significance of Basant’s return and others expressing hope that similar scenes would soon unfold in other cities.
During the visit, she addressed safety concerns by stopping a motorcyclist riding without a safety bar, explaining that the measure was meant to protect the public and could be installed free of charge in designated camps.
She clarified that motorcycles were not banned under Basant, but warned that vehicles without safety bars would be impounded. “The people of Lahore are celebrating and their happiness is a source of satisfaction for me,” she said, noting that celebrations had returned to the city after a long hiatus.
‘Bo-kata’
The roofs were draped with fairy lights, colorful pennants and makeshift lanterns, while powerful bulbs were installed to keep dragon fights alive late into the night. The grill was lit, playlists dusted off, and relatives invited over, turning the rooftops into temporary living rooms suspended over the city.
Women prepared traditional yellow and white outfits, often paired with floral jewelry, while children and elders alike sorted kites and coils with practiced familiarity. After Maghreb prayers, light flickered across inner Lahore, turning entire neighborhoods into glowing terraces stacked on top of each other.
For many Lahoris, Basant is not just a festival but a familiar ritual. The shout of ‘bo-kata’, the pulling of a string and the sound of folk songs drifting across the rooftops are well-established practices that have been passed down over time despite interruptions.
But for Generation Z, this Basant has a different meaning. Many are celebrating for the first time and stepping into a culture they have inherited through stories told by parents and older siblings. For them, the excitement is twofold, combining discovery with a nostalgia that is passed down.
Meanwhile, beauty parlors across the city reported a flood of customers, with women saying they intended to celebrate Basant in full traditional style after years of absence. Clothing stores and accessory shops saw a high demand for bright yellows, greens and reds as Lahore leaned unapologetically towards colour.
‘Mostly positive’
According to Malik Faizan Ahmed, legal adviser to the Kite Flying Association, the revival of Basant has given the government considerable political goodwill, reducing the likelihood of future bans. “The public response has been overwhelmingly positive and it now looks difficult for any future government to reverse this decision,” he said.
He said public appreciation had been so strong that the festival now appeared to have regained social legitimacy.
He recalled that kite flying materials started selling as soon as the clock struck midnight on February 1, while sales increased dramatically on the third day when people were convinced that the revival was real.
He added that strict enforcement and security measures were in place and expressed confidence that the three-day celebrations would go off without incident.
“God willing, all three days of Basant will pass safely and peacefully,” he said.
Administratively, the festival unfolds under tight security frameworks. The Punjab Home Ministry has confirmed that “Safe Basant” will be observed from February 6 to 8, where Section 144 will be enforced to maintain public order. The use of metal and nylon strings has been banned, safety bars have been made compulsory for motorbikes and emergency services have been put on full alert.
More than 10,000 police officers have been deployed across the city, with checkpoints, surveillance and zero tolerance for violations.
Officials insist the measures are not intended to dampen the party, but to ensure it continues.
