Preparations for the Basant festival are in full swing in Lahore, with a surge in tourism, brisk kite sales and enhanced safety measures aimed at ensuring a secure celebration.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said Basant was a “beautiful festival of Punjab” that reflects collective joy and cultural pride, adding that the announcement of the festival had already boosted livelihoods.
“People from around the world are coming to Lahore to celebrate Basant, and hotels and guest houses are fully booked,” she said while speaking to the media.
She said the government wanted citizens to enjoy Basant in a safe and positive environment, noting that a dedicated control room had been established and security protocols finalised after careful planning.
“Basant is not just a festival; it is a collective spirit,” she said, urging families to take special care of children during the celebrations.
According to officials, more than 340 million kites and reels have already been sold in the city.
Authorities have finalised strict regulations on kite size and string to prevent accidents. The maximum permitted kite size is 30 inches in length and 34 inches in width.
Only cotton thread will be allowed for kite flying. For coating the string, the use of glue, plain colour, flour and low-grade glass is permitted, while nylon and plastic strings have been completely banned.
Spools of kite string are being sold for Rs350, Rs600 and Rs800, depending on size, while a single panna containing around 2,000 metres of thread is priced between Rs10,000 and Rs12,000.
To reduce the risk of injuries, protective safety rods have been installed on motorcycles across the city. Action is being taken against riders without safety rods, with cases registered under Section 188.
Health authorities said all teaching hospitals across Punjab will remain open on February 6 and 7 during Basant. Emergency services, outpatient departments and inpatient facilities will remain fully operational.
The chief minister also commented on political issues, saying people were tired of “politics of chaos and abuse” and were now standing with performance and development. She said political accountability lay with serving the public, particularly in respective provinces.
