With Basant returning after an 18-year hiatus, the Punjab government has moved to stabilise soaring prices and ease supply shortages by expanding the production base of kite-flying material. Ahead of the festival in Lahore, the provincial cabinet approved manufacturing in four additional districts — Faisalabad, Kasur, Multan and Sheikhupura. Until now, Lahore had been the only district authorised to produce permissible kite-flying material. The decision comes as Basant is set to be celebrated in Lahore from February 6 to 8 under strict regulatory controls.
According to a February 1 letter issued by the Punjab Home Department to the concerned deputy commissioners, manufacturers in these newly approved districts must register both with their local DC offices and through the Punjab government’s e-Biz digital portal. They are permitted to produce only officially approved materials. The government has reiterated that only cotton string may be sold for kite-flying, while metallic or chemically treated string — long blamed for serious injuries — remains strictly banned. Kite sizes have also been capped: a 1.5 Tawa Gudda may not exceed 40 inches in width and 34 inches in length, while a 4.5 Guddi kite is limited to 35 inches by 30 inches. Any kite larger than these specifications is prohibited.
To reinforce safety and cultural sensitivities, the provincial code of conduct also bans kites carrying images of individuals, holy scriptures, religious places, national flags or political party symbols. Importantly, manufacturers in Faisalabad, Kasur, Multan and Sheikhupura are only allowed to sell their products to traders and sellers registered with the Lahore DC — and exclusively for use in Lahore during the three Basant days. Sales to any other individuals or districts are forbidden, a move designed to prevent uncontrolled distribution across Punjab.
Punjab Home Secretary Dr Ahmad Javed Qazi said the cabinet approved the expansion in manufacturing to bridge the widening demand–supply gap and curb price hikes. He confirmed that Lahore-based traders have also been permitted to procure approved kite material from outside Punjab, including supplies from Peshawar, Haripur and Abbottabad, provided they obtain prior clearance from the Lahore DC. These measures aim to ensure sufficient availability while maintaining tight oversight of quality and safety standards.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz outlined additional safeguards in a post on X, announcing that every pinna (twine ball) will carry a QR code, enabling authorities to track each item from manufacturer to seller and ultimately to the buyer. She stressed that all manufacturers are officially registered and bound by approved specifications, adding that out-of-province supplies are allowed only if they meet Punjab’s prescribed safety criteria.
Alongside manufacturing controls, the government has also approved kite-flying exclusion zones around sensitive aviation corridors. Acting on recommendations from the Pakistan Airports Authority, several neighbourhoods near Allama Iqbal International Airport — including Nadrabad, Gulshan Ali Colony, Nishat, Bhatta Chowk, and DHA’s R, S, P and Q blocks — will be declared no-kite-flying areas as they lie along aircraft approach paths. Additional restrictions will apply to Al-Faisal Town, Joray Pul, Canal Bank Road and Tajpura, located near take-off routes. Section 144 will be enforced in these zones under the Punjab Regulation of Kite Flying Act 2025 to prevent kites or strings from entering aircraft engines or striking critical surfaces, risks officials warn could lead to catastrophic consequences.
Reported by Dawn, the coordinated measures reflect the province’s attempt to revive Basant in a tightly regulated framework — balancing public enthusiasm with safety, affordability and accountability. By widening the manufacturing base, enforcing strict size and material limits, and introducing QR tracking, the Punjab government hopes to deliver a festive yet controlled Basant experience for Lahore while minimising the risks historically associated with the celebration
