ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Tuesday forecast favorable weather conditions on Feb. 6-8 when the Basant kite-flying festival is scheduled to take place in the eastern Pakistani city of Lahore.
The government in Pakistan’s Punjab province has allowed three-day Basant celebration, a traditional spring cultural festival marked by kite flying, from Feb. 6 to Feb. 8 under the Punjab Kite Flying Act 2025, ending an 18-year ban on kite flying due to deadly accidents.
Preparations have been underway in full swing in Lahore, the cultural hub of Pakistan, to mark the festival, with authorities enforcing strict limits on kite materials and imagery ahead of the three-day festival.
People visit a market to buy kites to celebrate upcoming three-day kite flying festival 'Basant' in Lahore, Pakistan, Monday, Feb. 2, 2026. (AP)
The PMD on Tuesday shared a weather outlook for Basant and said mainly dry weather with clear skies was expected in Lahore on Feb. 6-7, whereas dry weather with few cloudy conditions is likely to prevail in the city on Feb. 8.
“Light Westerly/ Northwesterly winds are likely to blow (10 – 15 km/hr), suitable for safe kite flying,” the PMD said in a statement.
A person purchases kites and thread from a shop to celebrate upcoming three-day kite flying festival 'Basant' in Lahore, Pakistan, Monday, Feb. 2, 2026. (AP)
The festival, banned after dozens of people were killed or injured by metallic or chemically coated strings, is returning to Lahore under an extensive safety plan.
Authorities have distributed 1 million safety rods among motorcyclists through 100 designated safety points across Lahore, with spending on the initiative crossing Rs110 million ($392,000), according to local media reports.
To enforce regulations and manage traffic flow, around 100 road safety camps have been set up within these zones, staffed by teams from the district administration, traffic police and rescue services. In addition, the Punjab government has launched a free shuttle service to reduce traffic congestion and promote safer travel via 695 buses deployed across Lahore.
“PMD advises kite flyers to exercise caution while flying kites, especially near electric lines and open roads,” the PMD statement read.
Workers prepare kites for costumers at their workshop for upcoming three-day kite flying festival 'Basant' in Lahore, Pakistan, Monday, Feb. 2, 2026. (AP)
