VIDEO: Pakistan's Lahore citizens gear up for safe colourful kites festival after two decades

After almost two decades, Lahorites have finally witnessed sale and purchase of colourful kites and strings in markets in Lahore city of Punjab province, Pakistan, which will continue until Feb.8.

Around 2,246 traders have so far been given permission to buy and sell kites and string. Officials said 163 registrations were in progress and 95 applications were rejected.

Lahore’s Mochi Gate has emerged as the biggest kite selling locality while shops opened at many other localities, including Mozang Bazaar, Baghbanpura, Township, Ichhra, several areas of Walled City, Shahdara and etc.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has announced a "long weekend” in Punjab, declaring a Basant holiday. "Punjab will enjoy a long weekend with Kashmir Day on Feb.5, a provincial Basant holiday on the 6th, followed by Saturday and Sunday. We hope people across Punjab take this time to relax, recharge, and make the most of the break,” she posted on X.

With the opening of kite and string selling shops, the prices of kites and strings were also revealed. As per visits at different shops, it emerged that Sharla was being sold for Rs50, Pari for Rs70, Ada was being sold for Rs70, Pona Tawa for Rs100, Tawa for Rs200 and Dherd Tawa was being sold for Rs400. A rush of children and youth was also witnessed at the kite shops.

Lahore Commissioner Marryam Khan visited Mochi Gate and Delhi Gate. She checked the QR codes on kites and strings, especially the no-objection certificates (NOCs). She also visited Basant Safety Camps and reviewed the performance of the departments. She said that the Basant rules awareness and safety campaign is at its peak while the chief minister’s instructions are clear and safety measures are being ensured 100 per cent.

Authorities in Lahore city have put strict security measures in place ahead of Basant festival, with police warning that violations of safety rules will lead to fines and confiscation of vehicles.

Senior police officer Faisal Kamran said comprehensive steps are being taken to protect citizens from dangerous wires during the festival. Under the Punjab Kite Flying Act, riding a motorcycle without a safety wire during the days of Basant permission is a crime, he said.

Violators can be fined Rs2,000, and their motorcycles can be confiscated, Kamran added, warning that further legal action may also be taken.

The kite-flying festival was banned in 2007 in Punjab because of an increasing number of deaths and serious injuries caused by sharp strings. Photo / X

Those riding bikes have already been instructed to install steel wire on their bikes for protection, and from Feb.1, bike riders will have to face heavy fines and legal actions for coming on the roads without the safety antennas. City police authorities have been given the task of installing safety rods on one million bikes ahead of the three-day Basant festival, according to a senior police officer.

Meanwhile, the Lahore Deputy Commissioner has constituted Quick Response Teams (QRTs) to ensure public safety, effective monitoring, and prompt response to any untoward incident.

As per the notification, the terms of reference of the QRTs included identify, inspect, and assess all dangerous and dilapidated buildings and rooftops for structural fitness across tehsil. To serve and prominently display notices on surveyed buildings, obtain affidavits from building owners/occupants/residents, and take all necessary measures across tehsil to prevent any activity that may pose a risk to human life.

The Assistant Commissioners & the team responsible for building inspection shall give a certificate for completion of above exercise in totality without any omission.

The QRTs will ensure that all premises and rooftops, where kite flying activities are being hosted, have been registered with the District Administration Lahore through the Basant Portal and that the prescribed safety measures and Code of Conduct are being strictly adhered to.

The kite-flying festival was banned in 2007 in Punjab because of an increasing number of deaths and serious injuries caused by sharp strings, particularly to motorcyclists and pillion riders, as well as by celebratory gunfire. But now, a three-day Basant festival is set to kick off in Lahore from February 6, following the Punjab government’s decision to lift the ban.

Earlier, Capital City Police Officer Bilal Siddique Kamyana presided over a meeting to review arrangements for the peaceful observance of Basant. The meeting reviewed in detail various security, safety and regulatory measures to ensure the safe and orderly conduct of the festival. Addressing the meeting, Capital City Police Officer directed that surety bonds be obtained from owners of rooftops for Basant celebrations to ensure strict compliance with standard operating procedures (SOPs).