Maryam Nawaz says public safety is top priority, regretting festival’s past links to accidents
LAHORE:
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has announced strict penalties will be enforced during the upcoming three-day Basant festival from February 6-8, warning that anyone caught flying kites outside designated dates or breaching safety rules could face fines, imprisonment or other legal action.
Speaking at a high-level meeting on the festival on Friday, the CM said the event would be launched on the night of February 6 and the official celebrations would begin on February 7.
“I want to bring happiness back to the people of Punjab,” she said, arguing that the public had been kept away from leisure and celebrations. “Everyone in Punjab has the right to celebrate festivals,” she added, citing occasions such as Eid, Holi, Christmas and Ramadan.
She described Basant as a historic spring celebration dating back around 800 years, calling it “a part of Punjab’s culture and heritage” and noting that the world recognizes the cultural importance of Punjab.
میں پنجاب کے عوام کو ان کی خوشیاں لوٹانے آئی ہوں۔ وہ خوشیاں اور تقریبات جو برسوں پہلے چھین لی گئیں۔ ایک ایسا ماحول بنا دیا گیا جہاں مایوسی اور بداعتمادی تھی۔ پنجاب ایک زندہ دل صوبہ ہے۔ یہاں کے لوگ خوشی اور تفریح کے حقدار ہیں۔ It’s been 30 years of experience in life… pic.twitter.com/neyJ2OOA7Y
– PMLN (@pmln_org) January 23, 2026
Strict security measures and enforcement
Acknowledging the tragic incidents previously associated with Basant, Maryam stressed that public safety is the government’s top priority. “It is unfortunate that a festival like Basant is associated with accidents,” she said, adding that a comprehensive safety plan had been prepared.
The CM explained that Lahore would be divided into red, yellow and green zones, with areas reporting incidents related to kites being designated as red zones. Motorcycles would only be allowed in red zones if equipped with safety bars, and riding without one would attract a fine of Rs 2,000. “One million motorcycles in Lahore will be fitted with crash bars free of charge,” she said.
Restrictions outlined regarding kite flying include:
- Only nine-thread cotton “pinna” ropes will be permitted; spools, nylon ropes and metal wire are prohibited.
- Kites and ‘gudda’ larger than approved sizes are prohibited.
- Kite flying outside of February 6 and 8 will result in legal penalties, and parents or guardians will be held responsible for illegal kite flying.
The CM warned: “Use of banned string could result in up to five years in prison and a fine of up to Rs5 million. » She added that rewards would be given to anyone providing information about violations.
The sizes allowed during the festival will be a 35-inch kite and a 40-inch gudda. Before Basant, authorities have already registered over 600 cases, arrested 641 people, recovered over 27,000 illegal kites and secured over 10,000 bails from stakeholders.
Public safety, surveillance and transportation arrangements
Maryam added that 4,000 police officers, as well as workers from the Suthra Punjab initiative, would be deployed, with surveillance carried out via CCTV cameras and drones. She added that traffic, police, fire, ambulance and health plans had been prepared.
A special traffic plan includes 100 traffic police camps. To discourage risky motorcycle use, the government will provide free rides: 500 buses, free travel on the Orange Line, Metrobus, electric buses and feeder buses, and 6,000 Yango rickshaws providing 60,000 rides on 24 routes.
Special control rooms have been set up at Safe City and the commissioner’s office for 24/7 surveillance. The CM urged the public to avoid misinformation or rumours. “Basant is a historical and cultural festival, but kite flying is a matter of public safety, not a joke,” she said, emphasizing the government’s commitment to a safe and joyful celebration.
