Punjab Government Lifts Ban on Basant After 18 years

After nearly two decades, Punjab is gearing up to let its skies dance with colour again. The provincial government has formally lifted the 18-year ban on Basant, reviving the iconic spring festival under a strict, safety-first framework.

The approval came through the freshly signed Punjab Regulation of Kite Flying Ordinance 2025, which Governor Sardar Saleem Haider Khan endorsed earlier this week. The move brings an end to a prohibition imposed in 2007 after a rash of fatal injuries linked to metallic and chemically coated kite strings.

But this comeback is tightly regulated. As The Express Tribune published, kite flying will now be legal only under a controlled system that includes mandatory registration for kite manufacturers, vendors and even individual flyers. Every kite will carry a QR code tracing it back to an approved seller, a measure officials say is meant to choke off the black market that previously fueled dangerous practices.

Children won’t be taking to rooftops the way they once did. “No individual under the age of 18 is allowed to fly kites,” Dawn reported, noting penalties of Rs 50,000 for a first violation and Rs 100,000 for repeat offences and if minors can’t pay, the fines will land squarely on parents or guardians.

The crackdown on dangerous string is even tougher. As Daily Times reported, the ordinance strictly bans all metal, chemical and glass-coated thread, with offenders facing up to five years in prison and fines that can reach Rs 2 million. Only thread-based, government-approved string will be permitted.

Authorities say the goal is simple: let Punjab reclaim a cherished cultural tradition without revisiting the tragedies that once shadowed it. District administrations will designate approved kite-flying zones, keep enforcement teams on standby and ensure that the festival remains celebratory, not chaotic.

Still awaiting full legislative ratification, the ordinance has already set the tone for Basant’s return: bright skies, safer strings, and zero tolerance for rule-breakers.

Stay updated with the latest news here.