Punjab Revives Basant After 20 Years Under New Safety Rules

The Government of Punjab has decided to revive the traditional Basant festival after nearly two decades, introducing new laws and strict safety conditions to ensure secure celebrations. Previously banned due to safety concerns, the festival will now be held under regulated rules so it can once again become part of Punjab’s folk culture. The decision has brought renewed hope to kite-making artisans in Lahore, where kite production is a generational craft and a key source of livelihood. Artisans carefully prepare kites using lightweight paper, bamboo frames, and chemical-free adhesives, while complying with regulations that ban hazardous strings. They say a safely managed Basant can revive cultural identity, support thousands of families, and bring color and life back to Lahore’s skies.