The Government of the Punjab has announced the festival of Basant after almost 25 years. The official dates for the Basant 2026 are 6th, 7th and 8th February 2026. Moreover Basant 2026 is allowed only in Lahore district territory. There is no other district or place in Punjab allowed to celebrate this festival.
Lahore Basant SOPs
Government of the Punjab under CM Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif takes this initiative to provide the pleasure to the people of Punjab. According to Punjab Government officials, initially the festival is permitted in Lahore only.
Kites and Thread
This time the government has taken the decision to handle all the matters and goods pertaining to Basant itself. It is because, the festival is dangerous with context to the dangerous thread that is used by many Kite lovers which is not allowed in this Basant Festival 2026.
In this context, Punjab Government has allowed only verified and registered vendors to prepare the Kite and Thread (Guddi or Dor).
Why Basant was Banned in Pakistan
The famous and favourite festivals of Pakistanis and especially of Lahoris was banned almost 25 years before. The decision was taken because the thread used Kite Flying was very dangerous especially for the motor bikers. Scores of people lost their lives due to the dangerous thread used in kite flying. Hence, the government banned this Kite flying in all Punjab.
Many people cut their throat in Basant festivals as well as in the following days if festivals. Therefore, the Punjab Government banned this Kite flying and dubbed it the criminal activity. Thousands of people have been arrested around the Punjab due to Kite Flying especially the teenagers.
