From Abid Usman
Basant festival kicked off in Lahore shortly after midnight on Thursday as Punjab formally lifted an 18-year ban, with authorities enforcing strict safety measures to prevent accidents linked to kite flying.
The three-day festival will run until February 8, after the ban, imposed in 2007 over deaths and injuries linked to sharp kite strings and celebratory gunfire, was lifted through legislation.
Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari said the festival is being held under close monitoring, with law enforcement agencies deployed across the city to ensure public safety.
She said comprehensive conditions have been put in place to avoid any loss of life. The Punjab government last week promulgated the Punjab Kite Flying Ordinance, 2025, providing the legal basis for resuming Basant.
Under the ordinance, police officers of sub-inspector rank and above are authorised to conduct searches and make arrests without warrants in cases supported by credible evidence. The law has been placed before the Punjab Assembly for approval.
