SOPs in place to balance cultural revival and public safety as Basant to be celebrated from February 6 to 8
The Lahore district administration has formally approved the conditional revival of Basant in 2026, allowing kite flying under a comprehensive set of safety regulations aimed at protecting lives while restoring one of the city’s most famous cultural traditions.
Deputy Commissioner Syed Musa Raza issued a notification allowing Basant celebrations within the district limits scheduled for February 6, 7 and 8. The move marks a significant policy shift after years of restrictions, with authorities emphasizing that the festival will continue under strict enforcement of safety laws and regulatory oversight.
According to the notification, kite flying will only be permitted on the three specified days, while the manufacture, trade and sale of approved kite flying material will be regulated through a mandatory registration system. Manufacturers, dealers and sellers have to complete digital registration through the e-Biz application or the official portal basant.punjab.gov.pk, with the registration process already underway.
The administration specified that production and trade of hang-gliding materials will be allowed from December 30, 2025 to February 8, 2026. However, retail sales to the public will be limited to February 1 to February 8. Only registered dealers will be allowed to sell kite flying materials and all certificates must be clearly displayed on the business premises.
The authorities have introduced a ban on coils and all forms of dangerous kite strings, including nylon, plastic, metal wire, chemically-coated or glass-coated maanjha.
Only cotton cord that meets strict technical specifications is allowed and it must be wound into a round shape known as a ‘pinna’. Each pinna has a unique QR code to ensure traceability and verification.
The notice also defines allowable kite dimensions. A ‘patang’ must not exceed 35 inches in width and 30 inches in length, while a ‘guda’ must be 40 inches in width and 34 inches in length.
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Any deviation from these limits will invite legal action under the Punjab Regulation of Kite Flying Ordinance 2025.
As an added safety measure, motorcycle riders will be required to install protective safety wires on their two-wheeled engines to reduce the risk of injury caused by stray strings. Law enforcement agencies and district officials have been instructed to launch crackdowns against the sale or use of banned materials with a zero-tolerance policy in place.
Speaking about the revival, Deputy Commissioner Musa Raza said that Basant is a cultural landmark of Lahore, but stressed that public safety remains the administration’s top priority.
“Basant is part of Lahore’s heritage. Making it safe is our collective responsibility,” he said, adding that business operators can begin legal commercial activity from Tuesday after completing all registration requirements.
Standard Operating Procedures have been issued for district administration officials, police, kite flying associations and citizens. Kite flying associations seeking to operate during the festival must also register online and meet prescribed criteria, including a minimum membership requirement and a commitment to promote safe practice and public awareness.
Officials said the framework aims to strike a balance between cultural revival and citizen safety. Any individual or company that manufactures, stores, transports or sells unapproved material without registration will face fines, confiscation of goods and legal action.
With the notification now in effect, authorities say preparations are underway to ensure that Basant 2026 is celebrated as a regulated, safe and community-oriented event – reviving a tradition that has long been silenced, while prioritizing the protection of life and public order.
