The Punjab Home Department has forwarded a summary to the Punjab Cabinet seeking approval to celebrate the Basant festival across the province on February 6, 7 and 8.
The summary related to the Basant festival has been sent by Punjab Home Secretary Dr Ahmad Javed Qazi.
Earlier, on December 3, 2025, the provincial government formally lifted the 24-year ban on Basant by promulgating a new Kite Flying Regulation Ordinance, replacing the law introduced in 2001.
The ordinance allows the revival of the spring festival under a strict regulatory framework aimed at preventing accidents that had led to its prohibition.
According to the Law Department, Basant will be celebrated only in designated areas, and kite flying will be closely monitored by the authorities.
— Rs2mn fine, 5-year jail for use of metallic strings —
The ordinance prescribes strict penalties for the use of metallic or sharp strings, including imprisonment for a minimum of three and up to five years, along with a fine of Rs 2 million. The offence has been declared non-bailable, and police have been authorised to search any suspicious premises.
— Children under 18 not to be allowed to fly kites —
Under the new rules, children under the age of 18 will not be allowed to fly kites, and their parents or guardians will be held responsible for any violation. The first offence will attract a fine of Rs 50,000, while the second will result in a Rs 100,000 fine, with further legal action if fines remain unpaid.
— Bikes’ entry without safety wire bans in kite-flying zones —
Motorcycles will be barred from entering kite-flying zones unless equipped with approved safety features, while district administrations will enforce additional operational restrictions.
–Only registered vendors to sell kites and strings–
The ordinance also introduces a QR code-based monitoring system. Kites will only be sold by registered vendors, with each kite carrying a unique QR code to identify the seller.
Manufacturers of kite strings will also be registered under the same tracking system, while kite-flying materials and associations will require formal registration with the Deputy Commissioner’s office.
–Lahore’s 40 locations declared as Kite-Flying-Zone–
In Lahore, final preparations are underway at 40 locations declared as Red Zones for Basant celebrations, keeping in view previous incidents of loss of lives during kite flying.
Citizens will be allowed to install safety barriers on their motorcycles. Police officials said transportation of kites and strings would only be allowed after obtaining prior permission.
Currently, kite flying remains completely banned. However, after the issuance of the formal notification by the Punjab government, the activity will be permitted under strict regulations. Monitoring will be carried out through CCTV cameras installed in Safe City zones.
Meanwhile, on December 10, Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said in a tweet that Basant would be celebrated in Lahore on February 6, 7 and 8 across the city after the full implementation of the Basant Ordinance 2025.
She said all kite sellers and strings would be registered under the QR code system, and a zero-tolerance policy would be enforced against illegal kite flying and the use of dangerous strings. She added that Basant is a cultural tradition of the people, and its safe celebration is a collective responsibility.
