Pakistan

Lahore sees kite and string shortages ahead of Basant as prices rise and buyers grow grustrated

With Basant approaching, Lahore markets report widespread shortages of kites and string, higher prices and limited stock, while officials attribute the crunch to unexpectedly high demand.

The Tribune International Posted on 18 hours ago

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LAHORE (Web Desk) — Just days before the start of the three-day Basant festival, residents across the provincial capital are facing difficulty finding kites and string, as many shops report empty shelves and soaring prices.

Visitors to registered kite outlets in areas such as Johar Town said they were unable to purchase essential festival items despite checking multiple locations. “I went to several markets, but there was nothing available,” said Ahsan Malik, a local resident. “It’s surprising that supplies have disappeared so quickly.”

Another buyer, Saqib Rehman, complained that larger kites, commonly known as big Guddas, are nearly impossible to find. “Wherever they are available, the rates are much higher. Only small kites can be found at a few shops, and string is nowhere in sight,” he said.

Retailers acknowledged the shortage, citing limited supplies from wholesalers. “We barely have any stock left to meet customer demand,” said a shop owner in the city’s southern district. “Most people leave disappointed.”

Wholesale dealers and manufacturers echoed similar concerns, saying their inventories have been depleted. One distributor said most Patangs and larger Guddas were sold early, leaving only a few thousand small kites in storage. Another manufacturer added that reels of string, each measuring about 2,000 meters, were quickly snapped up by traders.

Lahore Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Zukhruf Fida dismissed suggestions of poor planning by the administration, noting that this is the city’s first Basant celebration in 18 years, making demand forecasting difficult. He said sales exceeded expectations by more than 25 times compared to the last festival.

According to Mr. Fida, kites and string worth around Rs150 million were sold on Feb. 1 alone. He added that inspection teams are monitoring warehouses and suppliers to prevent hoarding and ensure fair market practices.