LAHORE: The Punjab government has formally lifted the long-standing ban on Basant, restoring the festival after decades.
Governor Punjab Sardar Saleem Haider signed and issued an ordinance granting conditional permission for Basant festivities. The ordinance bars anyone under 18 from flying kites, making parents or guardians responsible for violations. Only thread-based string will be permitted, while any metallic, chemical or sharp string will attract severe punishment.
The law prescribes three to five years of imprisonment along with fines of up to Rs2 million for using dangerous string or violating the safety standards. The ordinance also empowers authorities to inspect suspicious premises and declares related offences non-bailable. Special safety measures have been mandated for motorcycles across all districts during Basant days to minimise accidents.
In cases involving minors, the first violation will result in a Rs50,000 fine for the guardian, and Rs100,000 for the second violation, with further action for non-payment. To regulate the industry, kite shops will be allowed to operate only after district-level registration, with each registered vendor linked to a QR code for traceability. Kites and string will carry QR codes identifying the seller and manufacturer. Kite associations and string makers will also be registered with the respective deputy commissioners, while citizens reporting violations as whistleblowers will receive legal facilitation.
The Punjab government claims that Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has, through this ordinance, revived not only Basant but also a broader set of Punjab’s traditional and cultural festivals, marking a major step toward restoring the province’s historic cultural expression.
