LAHORE: With the Basant festival set to return after 18 years, the Punjab government on Monday imposed a 30-day ban on the manufacturing and use of kites bearing political, religious, or national symbols.
A notification from the Punjab Home Department, seen by Dawn, invoked Section 144, prohibiting the purchase, sale, transport, storage, and flying of kites displaying images of any person, holy scripture, religious site, or the flag of any country or political party. The measure aims to “avoid any discrimination or disruption of public order.”
The department cited reports that miscreants could attempt to use such imagery to create disturbances during the festival. Only plain, uni-coloured, or multi-coloured kites will be allowed in Lahore from February 6 to 8. Authorities emphasized that kite flying is permitted solely for recreation and festivity.
The festival’s return this year will coincide with a nationwide opposition protest on February 8, prompting the government to tighten regulations.
Under the Punjab Regulation of Kite Flying Rules 2025, the use of metallic wires, nylon cords, or strings coated with glass or other sharp materials is strictly prohibited. Violators could face three to five years in prison or fines up to Rs2 million, while those manufacturing or selling banned materials could be punished with five to seven years’ imprisonment and fines up to Rs5 million.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz finalized preparations for the three-day festival on Friday, urging citizens to celebrate safely. She announced a comprehensive Basant safety plan, dividing Lahore into Red, Yellow, and Green zones, where only nine-thread cotton kite strings will be permitted.
“Nylon and metallic strings are strictly banned, with violators facing up to five-year jail terms and fines up to Rs5 million,” she said, adding that illegal kite flying outside the notified dates would also invite penalties. Parents and guardians will be held responsible for underage or unlawful kite flying.
