Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif said on Tuesday that Basant in Lahore is set to return, with the provincial capital scheduled to host the three-day spring festival from March 12 to 14 next year.

The festival was banned in 2007 because of an alarming number of deaths and serious injuries caused by chemical-coated kite strings and festive gunfire. However, in the first week of February, the three-day festival was held in Lahore after the government temporarily suspended the 21-year ban through an ordinance, allowing kite flying under certain conditions.

Authorities had subsequently announced that it would be celebrated the next year as well.

In a post on X today, CM Maryam said: “After successful Basant 2026, I am proud and happy to announce Basant Lahore 2027!” with March 12-14 as the dates for the festifvals.

“Lahore will once again come alive with colour, culture, festivity, music, energy and legendary hospitality.”

The chief minister invited young people from Punjab and across Pakistan to participate in the celebrations and make the most of the event, describing Basant as an opportunity to create memories and showcase Lahore’s vibrant cultural spirit.

“Make Lahore shine with your energy and spirit!”

Addressing overseas Pakistanis and international visitors, CM Maryam asked them to mark their calendars and enjoy the :warmth, colours and festivities of Lahore:.

“I will be waiting. Lahore will be waiting. Pakistan will be waiting for you,” she said.

The announcement concluded with a call for active participation, saying that the festival would be made a success through concerted efforts.

Read: Basant turns deadly once again

This year’s festival was a hit among citizens as well as foreign diplomats, with UK and US envoys joining Pakistanis in the lively and colourful event. For the rest of the province, kite-flying remained banned for the said period, according to an official statement issued by the CM office.

However, official records from the Home Department reported 17 deaths and 160 injuries, while sources of the Express Tribune revealed that the death toll may be as high as 21.

Most deaths occurred due to falls from rooftops, with victims aged between 15 and 30. Some also died from electrocution or falling from trees. Specifically, 12 people died after falling from rooftops, while three died from electric shocks. Despite safety measures such as banning metallic strings and installing protective rods on motorcycles, more than 120 accidents were reported, injuring over 160 people.

Despite its deadly history, Basant continues to be celebrated annually in cities like Lahore, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Multan, and others. On average, at least eight people die in a single day of Basant celebrations each year.

According to the Punjab Home Department, in 2026 alone, over 8,000 people were arrested and more than 7,200 cases were registered for violations related to kite flying, mostly in Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, and Rawalpindi. A zero-tolerance policy is in place.

First the ban, then the Law

In 2007, then-CM Parvez Elahi announced a complete ban on kite-flying, citing concerns over deaths. Over the years, citizens approached the courts to seek permission for the festival, but their requests were met with opposition from the government.

The Punjab Assembly passed the Punjab Regulation of Kite Flying Bill 2025 on December 25, which introduced stringent punishments and heavy fines regulating kite flying across the province in a bid to safeguard human life and property.

The new legislation imposed a complete ban on the use of metallic wire, nylon string, and chemically or glass-coated kite strings, commonly known as manjha, blamed for numerous fatal accidents in the past. The law also prescribed strict penalties for flying, manufacturing, storing, or selling kites and prohibited strings without official permission.

Under the law, individuals found violating government regulations related to kite flying would face imprisonment ranging from three to five years, a fine of up to Rs2 million or both. The offence was declared non-bailable and cognizable, empowering law enforcement agencies to arrest suspects without a warrant.