LAHORE: Police on Saturday submitted a comprehensive security and safety plan to the Lahore High Court for the upcoming three-day Basant festival, scheduled to be held from February 6 to 8, marking the festival’s return after nearly two decades following the passage of the Punjab Regulation of Kite Flying Bill, 2025.
The report, placed before the court, identified potential risk areas for the 2026 Basant celebrations based on data from the past decade and stressed the need for strict enforcement of the newly enacted law to prevent accidents and illegal practices associated with kite flying.
According to the report, the registration of every kite and spool of string will be mandatory through a QR code system, with zero tolerance for the use of glass-coated, chemical-treated or metallic wires. Authorities have divided Lahore into red, yellow and green zones to regulate kite-flying activities, with continuous monitoring to be carried out through drones, social media surveillance and dedicated control rooms.
The police also warned that strict action would be taken against aerial firing, consumption of alcohol and other illegal activities on rooftops during the festival. To enhance public safety, the report stated that motorcycle riders would be required to wear helmets and would not be allowed to enter red zones without safety antennas installed on their vehicles.
The security plan was submitted in compliance with directions issued by the Lahore High Court on January 6, when the court sought detailed reports from the Inspector General of Police and the Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) on the security and safety arrangements for Basant.
Justice Malik Awais Khalid was hearing a petition filed by the Judicial Activism Panel (JAP) through Advocate Azhar Siddique, which questioned the alleged failure of the government and police to ensure adequate security measures under the Punjab Regulation of Kite Flying Bill, 2025, for the safe revival of the traditional festival.
