Basant Returns to Lahore: Skies Ignite in Colour After Nearly Two Decades

LAHORE: For the first time in nearly two decades, Basant is back, and Lahore is celebrating. On Friday, the city’s skies transformed into a patchwork of colour as thousands took part in the festival once synonymous with springtime in Punjab.

Banned in 2007 following a series of fatal incidents linked to hazardous kite strings and reckless celebrations, Basant’s return comes under a tightly regulated framework. According to Dawn, the Punjab Kite Flying Act 2025 allows the festival to resume while enforcing strict safety standards.

The government-approved celebrations will continue until February 8, with authorities banning metal-coated strings, oversized kites, and content deemed religious or political. Section 144 has been imposed to regulate rooftops and public spaces, while law enforcement teams patrol markets and flying zones.

Even with these curbs, the mood remained electric. Families gathered on rooftops, children watched wide-eyed, and veteran flyers competed quietly, eyes fixed on the sky. Tribune reported that for many Lahoris, the festival’s return felt like reclaiming a lost piece of identity.

The revival has also stirred economic momentum. Kite vendors reported record sales, though prices surged amid limited supply. To manage demand, the provincial government approved additional kite manufacturing and imports from nearby districts, Tribune noted.

Organised events in areas such as the Walled City have drawn large crowds, while hotels and guesthouses reported increased bookings as visitors arrived to witness the comeback.

Officials insist the celebration will remain under close watch. “We want Basant’s colour, not chaos,” a senior official said, stressing zero tolerance for violations.

As kites crisscross Lahore’s winter sky once more, Basant’s return stands as a test — not just of celebration, but of whether tradition and safety can finally fly side by side.

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