Lahore: After nearly 20 years, the vibrant kite-flying festival of Basant has quietly but unmistakably returned to Lahore, filling the skies above the historic city with colour, movement, and renewed excitement.
In the narrow lanes of the Walled City, flashes of neon kites appear between rooftops, accompanied by distant drumbeats and the hum of celebration rising above the streets.
As evening falls, rooftops across Lahore transform into gathering spaces where families and friends come together to watch kites’ zigzag and soar against the fading light. For many residents, this marks the first time they have experienced Basant, a centuries-old celebration of spring’s arrival. Others are rediscovering skills they last practiced before the festival was banned in 2007.
Ban of Basant
The ban followed years of fatal accidents linked to dangerously sharp kite strings, rooftop falls, and celebratory aerial firing. Some kite strings, coated with powdered glass or made from metal or chemical materials, caused severe injuries and deaths, particularly among motorcyclists who became entangled in threads stretched across roads. Electrical hazards were also common when metal strings fell onto power lines.
To address these risks, authorities have reintroduced Basant under strict regulations. The festival has been limited to three days, with large kites prohibited due to their need for stronger, more dangerous strings. Nets have been installed over certain streets, and motorcyclists have been issued metal rods fitted above handlebars to deflect stray threads.
Police have enforced a zero-tolerance policy on early or unsafe kite sales, confiscating more than 100,000 kites and thousands of rolls of banned string. Surveillance has been intensified through drones, rooftop patrols, and repositioned CCTV cameras, temporarily redirected from roads to monitor rooftops and skies during the festival.
The revival has also sparked economic activity. Kite markets have seen heavy crowds, with vendors reporting strong sales in the days leading up to the event. Supporters of the festival highlight its wider financial impact, noting benefits for small traders, workshops, restaurants, hotels, and transport services across the city.
For many Lahoris, the return of Basant is more than a spectacle; it represents a cultural revival deeply tied to the city’s identity. While safety concerns remain, the sight of kites once again filling Lahore’s skies has reignited a long-suppressed tradition, blending celebration with caution as spring begins.
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