LHC seeks report on Basant deaths, injuries in kite-flying crackdown case

• Police tells a total of 1,926 cases registered in Lahore, with 2,030 arrests from Jan 1 to Feb 8, 2026

 LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Thursday directed authorities to submit detailed reports on deaths and injuries linked to Basant celebrations, as it heard a petition seeking stricter action against kite-flying.

The hearing was conducted by Justice Malik Muhammad Owais Khalid on a petition filed by the Judicial Activism Panel. SSP Operations Touqeer Naim and other officials appeared before the court, while Assistant Advocate General Anwar Hussain submitted the government’s report.

During proceedings, police presented data on cases registered under the Kite Flying Act, including arrests and seizures of kites and string.

According to the report, from January 1 to February 8, 2026, a total of 1,926 cases were registered in Lahore, with 2,030 arrests made. Authorities also confiscated 105,718 kites and 2,953 string rolls during the lead-up to Basant.

From February 9 to April 3, a further 1,255 cases were registered, with an equal number of suspects arrested. In this period, 2,025 kites and 809 string rolls were recovered.

However, petitioner’s counsel Advocate Azhar Siddique expressed dissatisfaction with the report, arguing that it omitted crucial details on fatalities and injuries during Basant. He maintained that several citizens had died and many others were injured, but a complete record had not been placed before the court.

The court subsequently directed the law officer to obtain comprehensive data from relevant departments and submit verified details of deaths and injuries linked to the festival.

Justice Khalid also instructed the Home Department to convene a meeting on April 28 to review the issue. The law officer was directed to attend, while the petitioner’s counsel was permitted to present arguments.

The hearing was adjourned until April 30, with the court seeking a progress report at the next hearing.