Punjab government plans province-wide Basant celebrations for March 2027

The Punjab government has announced plans to hold Basant kite-flying celebrations across the province in the second week of March 2027. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has approved a 10-day festival period, though specific schedules for Lahore include dates from January 29 to February 7, with a one-day pause on February 5 for Kashmir Day.

To manage the festivities, authorities are developing legislation to regulate kite manufacturing, control prices for kites and strings, and establish strict safety requirements. An administrative plan will restrict kite-making to designated locations.

Safety measures focus heavily on building integrity. Home Secretary Ahmed Javed stated that kite flying will be prohibited from rooftops deemed unsafe. Property owners must ensure rooftops have safety walls at least three-and-a-half feet high and complete necessary repairs by December 31, 2026. Additionally, owners must address electrical hazards by protecting power lines running near rooftops. Deputy commissioners have been directed to inspect older buildings, and they hold the authority to prohibit kite flying on structures that fail safety assessments.