Office of Lahore Deputy Commissioner (DC) has formally notified the terms and conditions for celebrating Basant, which will take place from February 6 to 8.

 

According to reports, the notification issued does not specify any particular area for flying kites, which means the government could be allowing festivities throughout the district.

 

The Lahore DC announced that manufacturers and traders can produce and trade permissible kite flying material from December 30 to February 8, provided they have valid digital registration under Rule 3 of the Punjab Regulation of Kite Flying Rules 2025 – a comprehensive legal framework governing kite flying.

 

Registered sellers can sell permissible kite flying material to the general public exclusively from February 1 to 8, following the notified rules and regulations.

 

Registration for manufacturers, traders and sellers opened Monday through the government's e-biz app or the festival's website. The notification prohibits anyone from manufacturing, trading, storing or selling permissible kite flying material without registering with the DC's office.

 

The notification also said that only kite flying material specified in Schedule-I of the Punjab Regulation of Kite Flying Rules 2025 can be manufactured, traded, stored, sold or used during the notified period.

 

Kites must not exceed 35 inches in width and 30 inches in length, while guddas must not exceed 40 inches in width and 34 inches in length.

 

The kite string must consist of cotton with no more than nine threads and no less than 28-count coated with maanjha, with a minimum sheesha size of 350 mash. Manufacturers must wind the string in the shape of a pinna (twine balls), as the use of charkhi (spool) remains strictly prohibited.

 

The notification strictly prohibits manufacturing, trading, transporting, storing, selling, possessing or using sharp maanjha, nylon or plastic cords, metallic wire or any other injurious material coated on the thread.

 

All registered manufacturers, traders and sellers must clearly display valid registration certificates at approved premises, as Rule 3(6) of the regulation requires.

 

Registered manufacturers, traders and sellers must also maintain complete records of stock, sales and movement and produce them on demand to any authorised officer.

 

All registered kite flying associations must remain in close coordination with the DC and authorised officers for the smooth and safe conduct of the kite flying event while complying with their assigned responsibilities under the regulation.

 

The notification also directs all motorcycles operating within Lahore district to comply with safety specifications outlined in the kite flying regulation. The DC specifically calls for all motorcycle riders in Lahore district to install safety wires to protect their lives.

 

The notification directs all government departments, attached departments, agencies and organisations to assist the district administration and police in enforcing strict compliance with all terms and conditions as per law, rules and regulations to ensure public safety.

 

The Punjab government has issued strict instructions to divisional commissioners, DCs and district police officers to notify Basant dates after making arrangements to keep the festival safe and ensure no damage occurs to people's lives and wellbeing.

 

DCs in their respective districts will need to issue similar notifications and ensure compliance with the conditions and restrictions outlined in the Punjab Regulation of Kite Flying Rules 2025.