LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Thursday received its first legal challenge against the Punjab government’s decision to lift the 18-year ban on Basant, the iconic kite-flying festival, through a recently issued ordinance. The petition, filed by the Judicial Activism Panel (JAP), raised concerns over the potential dangers associated with the festival, citing past fatalities and previous Supreme Court rulings against kite flying.
The petition, submitted through Advocate Azhar Siddique, argued that the provincial government acted unlawfully by issuing the ordinance while the Punjab Assembly was in session. It stressed that kite flying had historically led to numerous deaths in various cities, including the tragic incident last year in Faisalabad, when Asif Ashfaq died from a kite string. The petition highlighted that both PML-N President Mian Nawaz Sharif and Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz had previously condemned the sport as a “bloody activity.”
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The petition seeks a declaration from the court that the ordinance and accompanying notification permitting kite flying are null and void, describing the government’s action as an abuse of power under Article 128 of the Constitution without any lawful or emergent justification.
Government Assures ‘Safe and Regulated’ Basant
In response, Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari defended the revival of Basant, asserting that the festival would now be completely safe, strictly regulated, and closely monitored. She emphasized that the deadly practice of using metallic or chemically coated kite strings had been permanently eradicated from the province. Violations of the Kite Flying Act will carry strict penalties:
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Manufacturers or sellers of prohibited strings: 3–5 years imprisonment and fines up to Rs2 million.
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Children violating the rules: fines of Rs50,000 for the first offense and Rs100,000 for the second.
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Mandatory registration and QR-coded identification for all kite string rolls.
Motorcyclist safety has also been prioritised under the updated regulations, with enhanced traffic rules aimed at protecting lives. The minister noted that Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif had specifically prohibited the handcuffing of minors, and underage offenders will only face fines. Legislation is reportedly being drafted to provide further legal protections for young motorcyclists participating during Basant.
Petition before LHC fears “bloody sport” may cause deaths.https://t.co/00wF1MOuKX
— Dawn.com (@dawn_com) December 5, 2025
The Basant festival, which historically marked the arrival of spring with skies filled with vibrant kites, was banned in 2007 due to multiple fatalities. The government’s current initiative seeks to revive the cultural celebration while implementing strict safety and regulatory measures to prevent past tragedies.
The LHC is expected to review the petition in the coming days, potentially shaping the future of Basant in Punjab under the new safety framework.
