The Lahore district administration has formally allowed the celebration of Basant 2026 under stringent safety conditions, issuing a detailed notification along with standard operating procedures (SOPs) for officials, police, kite-flying associations and the public.

According to the notification issued by Deputy Commissioner Syed Musa Raza, Basant will be observed within the limits of Lahore district on February 6, 7 and 8, 2026.

Kite flying has been granted conditional permission, subject to strict enforcement of safety measures aimed at preventing injuries and fatalities.

The notification makes online registration mandatory for kite and string manufacturers and sellers. The e-Biz application and an online portal have been activated for this purpose.

The sale of kite-flying equipment will be allowed from February 1 to February 8, while registered businesses may begin operations through legal channels from December 30.

The administration has imposed a complete ban on the manufacture and sale of spools (charkhis). Kite string will only be permitted in the traditional “pinna” form. A zero-tolerance policy has been announced against the use of nylon, plastic or metallic strings, as well as chemically coated or so-called “bloody” string.

Motorcyclists will be required to install protective wires on their bikes, while the size of kites and “guddis” must remain within prescribed limits. Violations will invite legal action.

Police and district officers have been directed to launch a strict crackdown against the sale and use of prohibited string. Kite flying will be allowed strictly on the notified dates only.

“Basant is a cultural festival of Lahore, and making it safe is our collective responsibility,” DC Raza said. He stressed that protection of human life remained the administration’s top priority and warned that no negligence would be tolerated.

The deputy commissioner also urged parents to stop children from using banned string and assured that law-abiding citizens would be provided full protection during the festivities.