Punjab authorities have finalized strict safety measures for Basant celebrations in Lahore next year. The government will allow kite flying on March 12, 13, and 14, 2027, under comprehensive safety guidelines.
Punjab Home Secretary Dr. Ahmad Javed Qazi chaired a high-level meeting to review security arrangements. He directed departments to complete all preparations before the celebrations and protect citizens from potential hazards.
Authorities will maintain a complete ban on kite flying across Punjab before and after the designated dates. Violators could face legal action, including imprisonment and heavy fines under the law.
Rooftop Safety Rules Tightened
The Home Department will prohibit kite flying from unsafe or structurally weak rooftops during Basant. Rooftop walls and grills must measure at least three and a half feet and remain structurally sound.
Building owners must complete repairs to rooftops, parapets, and stairways at authorized locations by December 31, 2026. Furthermore, the Lahore deputy commissioner will inspect old buildings and prohibit kite flying where safety assessments remain unsatisfactory.
Owners must also protect nearby electricity wires and create safer rooftop environments. Authorized officers from district administration, police, and relevant departments will inspect locations during the celebrations.
Authorities Set Heavy Penalties
City Traffic Police Lahore will install safety rods on more than two million motorcycles free of charge. Meanwhile, LESCO will protect relevant electrical installations with safety netting before Basant.
The deputy commissioner will issue permits for kite manufacturing, transportation, and sales subject to government requirements. PHA will remove trapped kites from trees, while LESCO will clear kites from electricity poles and wires.
Officials will also require lift safety certificates and prohibit inflammable materials on rooftops. First-aid equipment will remain mandatory at authorized locations.
Authorities said parents, guardians, and organizers must prioritize children’s safety. Owners and organizers will share responsibility for accidents, injuries, deaths, or legal violations.
Kite flying outside the approved dates could bring up to five years’ imprisonment and a Rs2 million fine. Unauthorized manufacturing, transportation, or sales could bring seven years’ imprisonment and a Rs5 million fine.
