The Punjab government has officially announced the return of the Basant festival. The three-day celebration is scheduled for February 6 to 8, 2026. This announcement follows a recent provincial ordinance that ended a 25-year ban on kite flying. The festival will proceed under strict new safety and regulatory measures across the province.
Authorities will implement a comprehensive QR code tracking system. Special QR codes will be issued for both kites and strings. The government vows zero tolerance for aerial firing or unruly behaviour during the celebrations.
This decision comes after a Lahore High Court ruling. The court recently rejected a plea to suspend the new ordinance immediately. Instead, it instructed the government’s lawyer to submit a detailed preparation report by December 22.
Read: Punjab Allows Basant With New Rules, QR Codes & Penalties
The original 2001 ban was enacted due to public safety concerns. Over the years, numerous fatalities occurred from injuries caused by chemical- or metal-coated kite strings. The new regulations directly address this historic hazard.
The government now permits kite flying only with pure cotton strings. It promises severe penalties for anyone using hazardous, coated strings. In Lahore, violators may face three to five years in prison. They could also receive fines of up to Rs 2 million.
The ordinance introduces strict age-based restrictions. Children under 18 are prohibited from flying kites. Parents or guardians will be held financially responsible for violations. A first offence carries a fine of Rs 50,000, increasing to Rs 100,000 for a second offence.
All kite-flying associations must register with their district deputy commissioner. Kites may only be purchased from registered shopkeepers. Each registered seller and individual kite will have a unique, traceable QR code. String manufacturers must also register under this identification system.
