The Punjab government has revoked the prohibition on Basant, subject to stringent safety regulations.

On Wednesday, the Punjab government officially rescinded the 25-year prohibition on Basant celebrations, permitting kite flying under stringent safety regulations via a newly enacted legislation signed by Punjab Governor Salim Haider.

In 2001, Punjab prohibited kite flying due to multiple fatalities resulting from metal or chemically treated strings. According to the new regulations, only unadulterated cotton string is authorized, whereas dangerous strings would incur stringent penalties.

The regulation stipulates that individuals under the age of 18 are prohibited from flying kites. Parents or guardians will be legally accountable for infractions, with penalties commencing at Rs50,000 for the initial crime and Rs100,000 for the subsequent offence. Nonpayment will initiate proceedings against the parent or guardian.

In Lahore, persons discovered utilizing hazardous strings may incur a prison sentence of three to five years and fines reaching Rs2 million. The ordinance emphasizes improved safety protocols for motorcyclists throughout the festival.

Kite-flying organizations are now required to register with the district deputy commissioner, and kites may only be purchased from authorized vendors. Every seller will be associated with a QR code, and kites will furthermore have QR codes to authenticate their provenance. Producers of kite string will be required to adhere to the same digital tracking system.