As the festival of Basant is approaching, people in Lahore have flocked to the shops selling kites, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Monday.
At Mochi Gate, shops had to be closed at 11:00 PM on the government orders, due to which a large number of customers had to return to their homes empty-handed.
The sale of kites will resume today.
On the other hand, Anjuman-e-Tajiran Lahore Quaid-e-Azam Group Chairman Waqar Ahmad Mian, in an announcement, has said that the Basant holidays announced by the Punjab government are meant only for government schools and district administration departments, and that the city’s markets and shopping centers will remain open as per routine and if some traders want to keep there businesses shut, it is up to them.
On Saturday, 24News TV channel reported that Lahore district administration had granted permission to 2,246 traders to buy and sell kites and related materials as part of regulated arrangements ahead of the Basant festival.
According to officials, licensed kite and string shops will be allowed to operate from February 1, with trading permitted until February 8.
After that date, a complete ban will come into force on the manufacturing and sale of kites and associated items.
Officials said a total of 2,504 traders have so far applied online for permission.
Of these, 163 applications are currently under process, while 95 have been rejected for failing to meet regulatory requirements.
Meanwhile, the district administration has extended the registration deadline for kite and string manufacturers and traders as part of efforts to keep prices at reasonable levels in the market.
A spokesperson for the district administration said the move was aimed at maintaining price stability.
The original deadline for online registration on the official portal was January 31, but the process will now continue until February 8.
The decision was taken to provide more traders and manufacturers with an opportunity to complete registration and to ensure an adequate supply of materials during the festival period.
Officials said the administration would continue monitoring the market to prevent overpricing and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements during Basant.
The controlled approval process is part of the administration’s efforts to ensure safety and compliance during the Basant period, with authorities warning that strict action will be taken against unlicensed trading after the deadline.
Reporter: Romail Ilyas