Basant 2026 in Lahore: Kite rules, bans and safety measures announced by Punjab CM

LAHORE (Dunya News) – Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has approved a three-day, government-sponsored Basant Festival to be held in Lahore from February 6 to 8.

The announcement was made during a high-level review meeting on Basant preparations, marking the first officially organised celebration of the festival in decades.

Addressing the meeting, Maryam Nawaz said all relevant departments were working together to ensure Basant is celebrated safely. She stated that a comprehensive traffic management plan had been finalised for Lahore, adding that public disorder in the past had overshadowed the spirit of the festival. The chief minister emphasised that this time Basant would be held under strict rules and effective coordination among institutions.

She described Basant as a centuries-old celebration that began nearly 800 years ago and symbolises the arrival of spring. Calling it an integral part of Punjab’s culture and heritage, she said the festival holds global recognition and reflects the province’s rich traditions. She added that the government aimed to restore joy to the people of Punjab through the revival of Basant celebrations in February.

حکومت پنجاب نے ہارس اینڈ کیٹل شو، میلہ چراغاں، بسنت اور مختلف مذہبی تہواروں کی بحالی کا فیصلہ کیا ہے۔ مقصد یہ ہے کہ پنجاب کو سب کے لیے کھلا صوبہ بنایا جائے۔ ہر شہری کو یہ احساس ملے کہ وہ اس دھرتی کا اہم حصہ ہے۔ بسنت ایک آٹھ سو سال پرانی روایت ہے۔ یہ بہار کی آمد اور نئی شروعات کی… pic.twitter.com/OTsGCWkyNx

— PMLN (@pmln_org) January 23, 2026

Maryam Nawaz confirmed that February 6, 7 and 8 would mark the first fully government-sponsored and organised Basant festival. She warned that violations related to kite and string sizes would result in strict punishment. The use of metallic or chemical-coated kite string, including charkhi string, would be completely banned during the festival.

She said that anyone found using prohibited string would face up to five years in prison along with a fine. In addition, motorcycles would not be allowed to enter red zone areas without safety rods during the festival period, as part of enhanced safety measures.

بسنت کے دوران کسی بھی پتنگ یا ڈور میں میٹل انکلوژنز، نائلون تھریڈ یا کیولر استعمال کرنا سختی سے منع ہے۔ غلط ڈور استعمال کرنے پر پانچ سال تک قید اور 50 لاکھ روپے تک جرمانہ ہو سکتا ہے۔ بسنت سے پہلے یعنی 6، 7 اور 8 فروری سے پہلے پتنگیں اڑانے پر بھی قید اور 20 لاکھ روپے جرمانہ عائد… pic.twitter.com/Nuy4DZazsx

— PMLN (@pmln_org) January 23, 2026

The chief minister said free public transport would be provided during Basant, with 500 buses and rickshaws operating on 24 routes across Lahore. Two control rooms are being established to monitor security, traffic flow and emergency response throughout the celebrations.

She added that Clinics on Wheels, ambulances and fire brigade teams would remain on high alert during Basant. Alongside workers from the Suthra Punjab programme, more than 4,000 police personnel will be deployed to ensure public safety. She said the festival had been carefully planned to offer the public a secure and enjoyable experience.

Maryam Nawaz also referred to the revival of the Horse and Cattle Show in Punjab after 30 years, confirming that it would continue this year as well. She said every citizen has the right to celebrate happiness freely, adding that Punjab belongs to everyone. She stated that people of all faiths have the right to celebrate their festivals, including Eid, Holi, Christmas and Ramadan.

She further said that Lahore has been divided into three zones for the festival. Areas with a history of incidents have been declared red zones, while other parts of the city fall under high-risk and medium-risk categories. Security rules have been made significantly stricter across the city to prevent any untoward incidents during the Basant celebrations.