Lahore Basant Festival kite sales surged sharply in early February, with more than two billion rupees spent on kites and related material within just seven days, according to industry representatives.
From February 1 to February 7, residents across Lahore actively participated in Basant celebrations. After a long hiatus, authorities allowed the traditional festival, and the city’s skyline once again filled with colourful kites of various shapes and sizes.
The revival of Basant has provided a major boost to local businesses. Kite sellers, string manufacturers, and vendors reported strong demand throughout the first week of the month.
According to the President of the District Kite-flying Association, more than 500 million rupees worth of kite-flying material was sold in just three days of the festival. The figures reflect renewed public interest after years of restrictions.
Shaikh Saleem, President of the association, said poor planning in manufacturing and supply chains led to higher prices. As a result, consumers faced increased costs for kites and strings during the celebrations.
He explained that delayed approvals and sudden demand disrupted production. Consequently, vendors struggled to maintain stable prices across markets.
Despite the challenges, Saleem praised the public for following government guidelines. He said residents largely complied with standard operating procedures introduced to ensure safety during kite flying.
“We are grateful to the people for their effective compliance with the government’s SOPs,” he said. He added that public cooperation played a key role in preventing major incidents.
Read: Basant Boosts Kite Sales as Lahore Markets Hit Peak Activity
At the same time, Saleem urged authorities to improve planning in future years. He advised the administration to announce Basant celebrations at least three months in advance.
According to him, early announcements would allow manufacturers to prepare better. This step could help stabilise prices and improve supply across Lahore.
The Punjab government officially allowed the three-day Basant Festival to take place from February 6 to February 8. Authorities issued the approval under the Punjab Regulation of Kite Flying Act 2025.
The law aims to regulate kite flying while addressing safety concerns. It also seeks to revive a cultural tradition that holds deep roots in Lahore’s history.
Officials said the regulated return of Basant supports local commerce. It also promotes cultural activity while maintaining law and order.
As celebrations continue, traders hope the festival will become a regular annual event. Many believe consistent policy decisions will help sustain the kite-flying industry.
For now, the return of Basant has injected fresh energy into Lahore’s markets. The strong sales figures highlight both public enthusiasm and the festival’s economic impact.
