The Punjab government has officially permitted conditional kite flying throughout the province after 25 years of prohibitions, limitations, and public outrage. The announcement sparked hopes that the beloved Basant festival may eventually make a comeback to Lahore and other cities’ cultural landscapes.
The development follows the promulgation of the Punjab Kite Flying Ordinance 2025, signed on 1 Dec by Governor Salim Haider. The ordinance authorises authorities to legalise kite flying on defined days and designated locations. It has also enforced tight safety requirements to prevent the deadly accidents that led to the previous prohibition in the early 2000s.
Basant Regulations:
Under the regulation, only thread made of ordinary cotton yarn will be authorised. The usage, manufacture, sale of chemical-coated or metallic string—long accused for slashing throats, hurting motorcyclists and causing power outages—is legally outlawed. Violators will face hefty fines and jail terms.
The government stated that it will allow kite flying to only registered kite makers, sellers, buyers and Kite Flying Association.
Children under 18 cannot fly kites. Minors will face fine of Rs50,000 for first offence and Rs100,000 if the government found them violating the law. A person involved in kite flying, making and selling without the official permission will face fines up to Rs2 million.
The government has announced five to seven years imprisonment and fines up to Rs 5 million to the persons involved in using metallic or glass-coated string.
Basant Celebrations and Concerns:
Media reports stated that the people are celebrating the government announcement. They expressed joy on social media, thanking the Punjab government.
However, some people are expressing concerns and questioned whether the provincial government can successfully enforce the new law. Religious parties have announced protest demonstrations against the decision.
Past attempts to control hazardous kite string resulted in thousands of arrests, warehouse raids, and a province-wide ban.
On the other side, the Punjab government insists that conditional permission does not mean that it will not have check and balance. It warned that it will treat violators under serious, strict and non-bailable offences.
As Punjab government has cautiously reopened the door to kite flying, the future will determine whether the festival can return safely. And whether Lahore’s sky, once again, will glow with Basant colours.
