By Our Correspondent
LAHORE: As the Basant festival approaches, the Punjab government on Monday imposed a 30-day ban on the manufacture and use of kites displaying the flags of political parties.
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According to a notification issued by the Punjab Home Department, Section 144 has been enforced to prohibit the purchase and use of kites bearing images of any individual, holy scripture, religious site, national flag or political party symbol. The move aims to prevent discrimination and maintain public order during the festivities.
The department stated that reports suggested miscreants could attempt to disrupt Basant by using images of religious texts, sacred places or political and national flags on kites.
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The notification clarified that only plain, single-coloured or multi-coloured kites—commonly known as gudda or patang—will be permitted for kite flying in Lahore from February 6 to 8.
While kite flying has been allowed strictly for recreation and celebration, the government has banned the manufacturing, trading, transportation, storage, sale and purchase of kites carrying prohibited images for 30 days, effective immediately.
Basant is set to return to Lahore after an 18-year hiatus, with celebrations scheduled from February 6 to 8. The event will coincide with a nationwide protest announced by the opposition on February 8.
Under the Punjab Regulation of Kite Flying Rules 2025, the use of metallic wire, nylon cord or glass-coated and sharp strings has been strictly prohibited, along with their manufacture, sale, storage and transport.
Violators may face three to five years’ imprisonment or fines of up to Rs2 million, while those involved in manufacturing or selling banned materials could be punished with five to seven years in prison and fines of up to Rs5 million.
Earlier, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz confirmed that all arrangements for the three-day festival had been finalised, urging citizens to celebrate responsibly.
Outlining the safety plan, she said Lahore has been divided into Red, Yellow and Green zones, and only nine-thread cotton kite string will be allowed. Nylon and metallic strings remain strictly banned, with offenders facing imprisonment of up to five years and heavy fines.
She added that kite flying outside the designated dates would attract legal action, while parents and guardians would be held accountable for underage or illegal kite flying.
