Concerning the Lahore situation, local authorities have confirmed the ban on the flying of kites in public parks. This ban has been issued while the city hosts the Basant festival, which is a three-day event, and which is returning after initially being away for nearly two decades.
This was announced by the Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) after the city officials decided on the plan of digital monitoring strategy for Basant, including dates from February 6 to 8 in the year 2026, in order to avoid the damage of trees, lawns, etc., during kite flying.
Why the Ban on Parks
PHA Managing Director Raja Mansoor Ahmad explained the rationale for imposing these restrictions within the park because the celebration of Basant brings with it crowds not just within the Lahore region but also other districts of the province of Punjab and eventually the nation. The presence of people and the flying of kites within the green área might cause damage to the flora.
Even though the Basant festival and activities have been allowed again under certain circumstances and controls, it is important to reduce accident hazards as well as preserve city property. While it would also be possible to enter certain parks for recreation during the Basant celebration period, it would not be allowed to fly kites in those places.
Monitoring and Safety Measures
The Lahore administration is also looking to implement the ban using technology-aided monitoring. They will also ensure that the ban is not violated by using the services of drones as well as the safe city cameras. By doing so, the administration will be able to monitor the movement of crowds as well as kite flying in the parks.
This strategy is part of a larger Basant safety strategy that has been presented to the Lahore High Court as part of a plan, along with risk-based zoning to facilitate monitoring during Basant festivals in the city, where cameras are set up, along with patrol points, to facilitate enforcement of safety parameters while enabling kite flying in designated areas.
Context: Basant Festival’s Return and Limits
The Basant festival, where people celebrate the springs by flying kites, is one of the major cultural events of Lahore, though it was banned for many long years due to safety issues related to sharp kite strings, injuries, and deaths.
The government of Punjab introduced the Punjab Regulation of Kite Flying Bill in the late part of 2025, allowing a regulated environment for celebrations to be held in Lahore with strict regulations for Basant celebrations. This allows for the issuing of permits related to kite flying by deputy commissioners with restricted permissions for particular days and particular places for kites with specific restrictions related to the use of strings with dangerous items such as glass and metal.
Despite the permission given by the authorities with regard to the festival as a whole, the park’s policy can again be seen as a measure of caution.
What Residents Should Know
- Parks & greenbelts: Kite flying remains banned.
- Basant festival days: Officially recognized from Feb 6–8, 2026.
- Monitoring: Drones, Safe City cameras, and patrol teams are active.
- Kite materials: Only approved and registered kites and cotton strings are permitted under safety guidelines.
Residents planning to participate in Basant kite activities should follow official announcements on permitted zones and safety protocols and avoid restricted areas such as parks to prevent fines or confiscation of gear.