Punjab Prepares for Return of Basant Festival in Lahore with Strict Safety Measures
The Punjab government has begun concrete preparations to revive the iconic Basant festival in Lahore, with a final decision expected to be announced soon. The event is tentatively scheduled for February next year, pending resolution of all legal and safety concerns.
High-Level Meeting Held on Nawaz Sharif’s Instructions
According to sources, a crucial review meeting was recently held in Lahore to discuss the logistics, legal framework, and safety strategies surrounding the kite-flying festival. The meeting was convened under the directives of PML-N Patron-in-Chief Nawaz Sharif.
Read More: Basant killed another person in Rawalpindi.
Key participants included:
- Walled City of Lahore Authority DG Kamran Lashari
- Lahore CCPO Siddique Kamyana
- Lahore Commissioner Zaid Bin Maqsood
- Members of the Kite Flying Association
Safety-First Approach with Lab Testing and Controlled Rehearsal
To ensure public safety, kite strings and materials have been sent to the PCSIR Laboratory for testing. Only materials that pass the lab’s safety standards will be cleared for production and sale. A rehearsal event is scheduled for June to evaluate kite durability, crowd management, and law enforcement preparedness in a controlled setting.
Designated Safe Zones Proposed
To contain the festivities within secure areas, officials have proposed using Lahore’s Walled City and select gardens as official venues for Basant. This plan aims to reduce the risk of accidents while preserving the festival’s cultural charm.
Strict Regulations and Registrations
Authorities will enforce strict regulations to ensure a lawful and safe celebration:
- Registration will be mandatory for kite and string sellers
- Use of metallic or glass-coated strings (charkhi) will remain banned
- Motorcycles without safety rods will be prohibited for two days during the event
- Participants may be allowed to use up to two-and-a-half “tawa gaddas” (kite spools)
International Promotion Strategy in the Works
To elevate Basant as a global cultural attraction, the Punjab government is formulating a strategy to promote the event to foreign tourists. The goal is to position Lahore’s Basant as an internationally recognized celebration of Pakistani heritage.
