Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Friday unveiled strict safety measures for the upcoming three-day Basant festival, scheduled from February 6 to 8, cautioning that violations could lead to fines, imprisonment, or other legal action.
Chairing a high-level meeting, the chief minister confirmed that kite-flying will only be allowed during the official festival dates. She emphasized that public safety is the government’s top priority, recalling previous accidents caused by unsafe kite strings.
Under the new plan, Lahore will be divided into red, yellow, and green zones. Motorbike movement in red zones will be restricted, allowing only vehicles equipped with safety rods. Riding without a safety rod will incur a Rs 2,000 fine. To support safety compliance, the government will install rods on one million motorbikes free of cost.
Only nine-thread cotton “pinna” strings will be permitted for kite-flying. Nylon, metal, and spool strings remain strictly banned, while oversized kites and gudda beyond approved dimensions will not be allowed. Any kite-flying outside the designated dates will result in legal action, and parents or guardians will be held responsible for minors involved in violations.
CM Maryam Nawaz warned that using banned kite strings could result in up to five years in prison and fines of up to Rs 5 million. Informants reporting violations will also be rewarded.
To maintain security, more than 4,000 police personnel will be deployed, activities will be monitored through CCTV cameras and drones, and special control rooms will operate at the Safe City Authority and the commissioner’s office.
A special traffic plan has been designed, including 100 traffic police camps and free public transport services, covering buses, Metrobus, Orange Line, and electric buses. Calling Basant an 800-year-old cultural tradition, the chief minister said the government’s goal is to restore safe recreation while enforcing zero tolerance for safety violations.