According to the ordinance, kite flying will not be open for everyone. Individuals will only be allowed to participate after receiving formal permission from the deputy commissioner (DC) of their district. Similarly, anyone involved in making or selling kites will have to register with the authorities first. Without registration, manufacturing or selling kites will be considered illegal and will lead to penalties.
The ordinance, signed by Governor Sardar Saleem Haider, officially brings back a controlled version of Basant after the practice was banned in 2001 due to rising accidents and fatalities caused by dangerous string. The earlier ordinance has been fully repealed, clearing the way for supervised celebrations. The new law includes strict conditions and warnings: violations of safety rules can result in imprisonment, fines, or both. Registered kite-flying associations will be allowed to request licenses for producing and selling kites under regulated standards.
Under the new system, deputy commissioners will hold key authority. They can approve specific venues, fixed timings, and designated days for Basant activities. They must also ensure that no hazardous string or material is used before granting permission. To enforce these rules, the police have been granted powers to search premises, arrest violators, and confiscate banned materials. These enforcement powers may also be assigned to other departments if needed.
The ordinance clearly states that nobody under 18 will be allowed to participate in kite flying. The government noted that in 2025 alone, over 3,300 cases were registered and more than 3,000 individuals were arrested for making or selling unsafe kites and related materials. This new law aims to revive Basant safely while preventing the dangers that once led to its ban.
Read more: Punjab Government Considers Conditional Permission for Basant Festival
