Govt plans Lahore Basant 2027 with six months' early kite-making approvals

The Punjab government has decided to celebrate the Basant festival again next year after the successful revival of the event in Lahore, with early preparations already under way to ensure better organisation and price control.

According to the 24NewsHD TV channel, officials have begun consultations for Basant 2027, with proposals under consideration to allow kite and string manufacturing at least six months in advance to stabilise prices and ensure sufficient supply.

The TV channel report said the government is also considering allowing the early transportation of festival-related goods to Lahore from other districts and provinces in a bid to avoid shortages witnessed this year.

Authorities plan to address shortcomings observed during Basant 2026 and ensure the availability of kites and string in large quantities before the festival begins, as increased supply is expected to keep prices in check. Last year, manufacturers were given only one month to prepare, resulting in limited production and soaring prices.

Earlier this year, Lahore, widely regarded as Pakistan’s cultural capital, came alive with vibrant celebrations as Basant returned after a gap of nearly 25 years. The three-day festival, held from February 6 to 8, transformed the city into a spectacle of colours, music and festivities.

The skies were filled with kites while rooftops echoed with celebratory chants, traditional dances, music and meals. People of all ages took part in the festivities, reviving a centuries-old tradition that symbolises the arrival of spring and communal harmony.

The overwhelming demand for kites and string led to shortages, with the Kite Flying Association reporting that around one million kites were sold in a single day, along with more than 20,000 spools of string.

Despite soaring prices, sales remained robust. A one-and-a-half-tawa kite, Gudda and Pari, was sold for Rs700; a one-tawa kite for Rs400; and a smaller variant for Rs300, while Patang and Tukal Patang were sold for Rs1,000 to 3,000, as well as spools of string (of two pieces or two goot lengths) ranging between Rs12,000 and Rs20,000.

Trade volumes surged rapidly during the festival, with daily sales rising from Rs160 million on the first day to Rs680 million by the fourth day, pushing cumulative business beyond Rs1.5 billion within five days.

Strict standard operating procedures were enforced, with authorities banning metallic or chemical-coated string and allowing only approved cotton string for safety reasons. Large kites deemed uncontrollable in strong winds were also prohibited, while motorcyclists were required to install safety rods on their vehicles.

For many Lahori residents, the return of Basant was not merely about kite flying but a broader celebration of culture, community and a renewed sense of public life. The government now aims to build on this momentum by ensuring a more organised, accessible and affordable festival next year.

Reporter: Tahir Jameel Khan