Thousands Depart for Lahore as Basant Festival Returns After 18 Years

RAWALPINDI — The Rawalpindi Railway Station witnessed an unprecedented rush on Thursday evening, February 5, 2026, as thousands of residents left the garrison city for Lahore to celebrate the long-awaited Basant festival.

While kite flying remains strictly banned in Rawalpindi, the Punjab government has officially permitted the festival in Lahore from February 6 to 8, ending nearly two decades of restrictions.

A Historic Long Weekend

The mass migration was fueled by a unique “mega long weekend” (Thursday to Sunday) created by the overlapping of Kashmir Solidarity Day (Feb 5) and a specially notified provincial holiday for Basant (Feb 6).

• Full Capacity: Railways officials reported that all three main trains to Lahore were fully booked two days in advance. Extra coaches may be added on Friday to accommodate the remaining influx.
• Family Reunions: Many travelers, like Muhammad Ajmal and Hamid Raza, told reporters they were heading to relatives’ homes in Lahore for rooftop parties, as hotels and rooftops in the provincial capital are being rented for record sums.

Basant 2026: The “Safe & Smart” Rules

Unlike the unregulated celebrations of the past, the Punjab Regulation of Kite Flying Act 2025 has introduced high-tech safety measures for this year’s revival:

• Official Dates: Friday, February 6 to Sunday, February 8.
• The “Traffic Light” Zones:
  • Red Zones: Densely populated areas like the Walled City and Mall Road have the strictest monitoring.
  • Yellow Zones: Areas like Ichra and Barkat Market allow supervised flying.
  • Green Zones: Newer developments like Gulberg and Liberty have standard oversight.
• Digital Verification: For the first time, all legal kites and strings must carry a QR code. Only registered manufacturers are allowed to sell cotton string; metallic, nylon, and chemical-coated “manja” remain strictly illegal.
• Biker Safety: Over one million free safety rods are being distributed to motorcyclists to prevent injuries from stray strings.

Where to Catch the Colors in Lahore

While many prefer private rooftops, the Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) has designated several public venues for organized festivities:

• Greater Iqbal Park (Fireworks and mega events)
• Jilani Park (Music and food stalls)
• Model Town Park & Jallo Park
• DHA Lahore (Conditional permission for rooftop flying in residential phases)

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Strict Warnings

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has emphasized a “zero-tolerance” policy for violations.

• Penalties: Manufacturing or selling banned string can lead to 3 to 5 years in prison and a fine of up to Rs 2 million.
• Aerial Firing: Police have deployed drone cameras and snipers on high-rise buildings to monitor for celebratory gunfire or the use of illegal strings.

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