People on their rooftops enjoy flying kites at the Bhati Gate of Lahore. PHOTO: SCREENSHOT/X/MARYAMNSHARIF
LAHORE:
The provincial capital did not sleep to welcome Basant on Thursday, as fireworks burst into the night sky after midnight, kites rose from rooftops and music drifted across the walled city and beyond into the town long known as the home of “patang-baaz” – kites flying by instinct – marking the festival’s return after nearly two decades.
At Liberty Chowk, crowds gathered in pent-up anticipation, bursting into applause as the city began to celebrate.
With the three-day festival officially beginning today (February 6), Lahore has gone into full festive mode, its skyline pierced with kites and its streets bathed in color, anticipation and tightly managed order.
Major intersections, underpasses and public spaces glittered with banners and oversized kite installations, while the rooftops in the depths of the old city bristled with preparation and promise.
“These colors scattered across the sky of Lahore are a reflection of our vitality and ancient culture,” Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz wrote on social media as the clock struck noon.
“Basant is not just a festival; it is part of Punjab’s tradition. We wish citizens a day filled with joy and celebration.”
Markets traditionally synonymous with Basant, such as Mochi Gate, Delhi Gate, Shah Alam Market and Anarkali, remained crowded till late night as shoppers stocked up on kites, spools, fairy lights and festive decorations.
Traders said enthusiasm gradually grew as cautious curiosity kicked in on Feb. 1 and unbridled enthusiasm followed once people realized the recovery was real.
Meanwhile, Liberty Chowk became the symbolic center of the festivities, transformed into a civic celebration space adorned with giant kites and lights. Families, young couples and groups of friends came together to participate.
Devotees say the fundamental change is that this is the first Basant not whispered or hidden but sanctioned, visible and public with confidence.
“Joy has returned like permission. People want to believe in good and despite the price hike, Lahoris did not hesitate to participate,” said a citizen of Johar town. “At least there’s some entertainment now.”
Similarly, Basant is not limited to just the rooftops but has returned to public life.
Earlier, the sense of openness deepened on Thursday when Maryam Nawaz Sharif made a surprise visit to Liberty Chowk and later Mochi Gate, entering the crowd and engaging directly with citizens. She spoke with residents, posed for selfies and asked her security personnel to stand down so she could move freely among people.
The children, dressed in festive yellow, particularly attracted attention. The chief minister was seen shaking hands with a young girl, exchanging greetings with others and blessing a child carried by a citizen.
Residents praised his performance, with some emphasizing the political significance of Basant’s return and others expressing hope that similar scenes would soon unfold in other cities.
During the visit, she addressed safety concerns by stopping a motorcyclist riding without a safety bar, explaining that the measure was to protect the public and could be installed free of charge in designated camps.
She clarified that motorcycles were not banned during Basant, but warned that vehicles without safety bars would be impounded. “The people of Lahore are celebrating and their happiness is a source of satisfaction for me,” she said, pointing out that festivities had returned to the city after a long hiatus.
‘Bo-kata’
Rooftops were adorned with fairy lights, colorful pennants and makeshift lanterns, while powerful bulbs were installed to keep the kite fights alive late into the night. Barbecues were lit, playlists dusted and loved ones invited, transforming rooftops into temporary lounges suspended above the city.
Women prepared traditional yellow and white outfits, often paired with floral jewelry, while children and elders sorted kites and reels with expert familiarity. After the Maghreb prayers, lights came on throughout central Lahore, transforming entire neighborhoods into illuminated terraces stacked on top of each other.
For many Lahoris, Basant is not just a celebration but a familiar ritual. The cry of “bo-kata”, the pulling of a rope and the sound of folk songs drifting across the rooftops are long-established practices, passed down over time despite interruptions.
However, for Gen Z, this Basant has a different meaning. Many are celebrating for the first time, stepping into a culture they inherited through the stories told by their parents and older siblings. For them, the enthusiasm is twofold, mixing discovery with an inherited nostalgia.
Meanwhile, beauty salons in the city reported an influx of customers, with women saying they planned to celebrate Basant in traditional style after years of absence. Clothing stores and accessories stores saw a surge in demand for bright yellows, greens and reds, as Lahore unabashedly leaned into color.
“Extremely positive”
According to Malik Faizan Ahmed, legal advisor to the Kite Flying Association, Basant’s revival has earned the government considerable political goodwill, thereby reducing the likelihood of future bans. “The public response has been overwhelmingly positive and it now appears difficult for a future government to reverse this decision,” he said.
He said public appreciation had been so strong that the festival now seemed to have regained social legitimacy.
He recalled that equipment for flying kites started selling as soon as the clock struck midnight on February 1, while sales exploded dramatically on the third day, once people were convinced that the revival was genuine.
He added that strict enforcement and security measures were in place, expressing confidence that the three-day celebrations would go off without incident.
“God willing, the three days of Basant will pass safely and peacefully,” he said.
Administratively, the festival takes place within a strict security framework. The Punjab Home Department confirmed that ‘Safe Basant’ would be observed from February 6 to 8, with Section 144 being enforced to maintain law and order. The use of metal and nylon ropes was banned, safety bars were made mandatory for motorcycles and emergency services were put on alert.
More than 10,000 police officers have been deployed across the city, with checkpoints, surveillance and zero tolerance for violations.
Officials insist the measures are not aimed at curbing the celebration, but ensuring it lasts.
