LAHORE: The vibrant Basant festival made a long-awaited return to Lahore after 25 years, as celebrations officially began at midnight under strict standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure public safety and order.
Punjab Information Minister Uzma Bukhari formally inaugurated Basant 2026 by flying a kite at 12am, marking the revival of one of Lahore’s most iconic cultural traditions. Soon after, the skies above the city filled with colourful kites, replacing the stars, as rooftops echoed with cheers and chants of “Bo Kaata.”
Across Lahore, kite flyers and spectators thronged rooftops and streets, watching kites soar and fall. Women played a prominent role in the celebrations, adding to the festive atmosphere with henna-adorned hands, colourful attire, traditional food, and kite flying of their own. Many households marked the occasion with mehndi gatherings and home-cooked delicacies, reviving long-lost Basant customs.
Streets and alleys throughout the city were decorated with kites and lights. Despite soaring prices, kites and strings remained in high demand and short supply, while people were seen rushing to nearby shops for breakfast to keep up their energy during the festivities.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz also marked the occasion by sharing a video on social media, showing citizens enjoying kite flying as Basant 2026 celebrations got underway.
Speaking on the occasion, Information Minister Uzma Bukhari said Basant was being celebrated peacefully after decades. “Everyone is enjoying in their own way, and no one is being harassed,” she said, expressing hope that the celebrations would continue safely throughout the three-day festival without any untoward incidents.
A public holiday has been declared across Punjab for today and tomorrow in connection with the Basant celebrations.
However, authorities confirmed that separate incidents during the celebrations resulted in one death and injuries to five others, underscoring the need for strict enforcement of safety measures.
Under the officially announced Basant 2026 code of conduct, the use, sale, and display of metal, chemical, nylon, or glass-coated kite strings remain strictly prohibited. A complete ban has also been imposed on loud music, DJ sound systems, aerial firing, and the display of firearms. Any form of misbehaviour, harassment, obscenity, or activities disturbing public peace or neighbours has been outlawed.
The SOPs further require that buildings used for kite flying be structurally safe, with adequate precautions to prevent falls from rooftops and avoid electrical hazards.
To ensure security, more than 10,000 police officers and personnel have been deployed across Lahore. According to a police spokesperson, 104 checkpoints have been set up in red zones, 92 in yellow zones, and 72 in green zones. Police teams have also been stationed on rooftops, overhead bridges, underpasses, and at key entry and exit points.
Additionally, 265 Dolphin Squad units, 122 PRU teams, and 180 Elite Force teams are conducting patrols, while 1,300 traffic police officers have been deployed to manage traffic and ensure road safety. Authorities confirmed that 44 motorcyclists have been arrested and cases registered for failing to install mandatory safety rods on their bikes.
City Police Officer Bilal Siddique said strict enforcement of the government’s code of conduct would continue throughout the three-day festival, warning of zero tolerance for violations of the Punjab Regulation of Kite Flying Act 2025.
The return of Basant after a quarter-century has revived Lahore’s cultural spirit, with authorities and citizens alike hoping the celebrations conclude peacefully and safely.
