Basant set to make its grand return in Lahore under mostly clear skies – Pakistan
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Tuesday said dry weather with clear skies was expected for the majority of the Basant festival, which is set to be celebrated in Lahore this week.
“Mainly dry weather with clear skies is expected on 6th and 7th February, while dry weather with few cloudy conditions on 8th February, 2026 in Lahore during the Basant 2026,” the PMD said in a forecast posted on the social media platform X.
It added that light westerly/north-westerly winds were likely to blow at the speed of 10 to 15 kilometres per hour, which was “suitable for safe kite-flying”.
The PMD advised the festival participants to “exercise caution while flying kites, especially near electric lines and open roads”.
The three-day Basant festival is set to kick off in Lahore from February 6, following the Punjab government’s decision to lift a ban on the historic event after 18 years, with strict regulations.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has announced a “long weekend” in the province, declaring a “provincial Basant holiday on the 6th, followed by Saturday and Sunday”.
Owing to the increasing demand and soaring prices of kite-related commodities, the Punjab government on Monday approved the manufacture of only “permissible kite-flying material” in four more districts of the province.
According to the Punjab government’s instructions, only cotton string is allowed to be sold for kite-flying during Basant, whereas the manufacturing of metallic string material and kites exceeding fixed sizes is strictly prohibited.
The provincial government has also imposed a ban on the manufacturing of kites bearing images of any person, holy scripture, religious place, country’s flag or that of a political party.
The festival was banned in 2007 in Punjab because of an increasing number of deaths and serious injuries caused by sharp strings, particularly to motorcyclists and pillion riders, as well as by celebratory gunfire.
‘No better occasion to portray Pakistan’s positive image’
CM Maryam visited a Safe City office in Lahore on Tuesday, which she said was being used as Basant control room.
“All the street activities are being monitored from here through drone surveillance,” she said in a televised address.
The chief minister said that Basant was a festivity that was “exclusive to Punjab and we have witnessed how passionately people used to celebrate it”.
“But, due to some unfortunate incidents, the people of Punjab were deprived of it,” she expressed regret.
She further stated that it was unfortunate that “we adopt other cultures”.
“Punjab has a very rich culture and Punjabi, Saraiki, and Potohari are beautiful languages.”
But, the CM continued, “our children have been taught that if they speak English, they will be considered uncultured”.
“We want people to own Punjab, its language and culture,” she added. “Residents of Punjab should protect their culture and language as their historical heritage and take pride in it.”
The Punjab CM said that “our Sikh brothers from Indian Punjab and their children speak Punjabi with pride in all over the world ,whether it is US, Canada, UK or any other country”.
“I urge our Punjabi brothers and sisters to teach Punjabi to their children along with Urdu and English,” she said, adding that “it (Punjabi) is their pride, not a source of embarrassment.”
The chief minister said when her government announced the lifting of ban on Basant, she had little idea about the enthusiasm and Basant “fever” being witnessed among people presently.
People from cities other than Lahore were also making appeals to organise Basant in their cities, she said, adding, “We are organising Basant as a pilot project in Lahore, so that we can see how effective our security protocols and standard operating procedures (SOPs) are.”
The Punjab CM further stated, “We cannot get a better occasion than this to portray Pakistan’s progressive image to the world.”
Maryam said Basant had “generated economic activity worth billions [of rupees]”.
“People from around the world are coming to Punjab. All the hotels and guest houses are booked,” she stated.
The Punjab CM said the tradition of Basant went back to 1250, and the festival marked arrival of spring.
“It’s colour is yellow , as yellow symbolises life returning to land. This is life returning to Punjab,” she remarked.
Outlining the rules and regulations notified by the Punjab government for Basant, she warned that strict SOPs and security protocols were being enforced and violators could face punishment.
“We are going to celebrate Basant from Feb 6 to 8, not a day before Feb 6 nor the day after Feb 8.
“No kites or threads exceeding the permissible size will be allowed, and the violations may lead punishment for up to 10 years and 2 million in fines,” she said.
Maryam said that all kite-flying material that imported from outside Lahore was being strictly monitored.
The CM said information regarding registered manufacturers and sellers of kite-flying material was available at online portal www.basant.punjab.gov.pk.
Moreover, 46 monitoring and implementation camps were established in the high-risk areas, 32 in medium-risk areas and 20 in low-risk zones, she added.
“Over 2500 traffic and 100,00 police personnel have been deployed for the safety of people”, the CM said.
She added that all the entrances of Lahore city were being monitored to prevent the transportation of any non-permissible kite-flying material.
