Home Department says restrictions will remain in force for 30 days, during which manufacture, sale, purchase, transportation, storage and use of kites carrying religious or political images or markings have been strictly prohibited
LAHORE: (UrduPoint/Pakistan Point News- Jan 27th, 2026) The Punjab Home Department has imposed Section 144 in Lahore to prevent the use of religious and political symbols during the Basant festival and to maintain public order and interfaith harmony.
The Home Department said the restrictions would remain in force for 30 days, during which the manufacture, sale, purchase, transportation, storage and use of kites carrying religious or political images or markings have been strictly prohibited.
The ban includes kites displaying images of sacred religious texts, religious sites, personalities, national flags, or political party symbols.
However, the use of plain, single-colour or multi-colour kites without any images or markings will be allowed during the festival.
The spokesperson said that any violation, including the illegal production, sale, transport, storage, or use of prohibited kites, will be treated as a punishable offence.
Law enforcement agencies have been directed to take strict action against violators, and the orders under Section 144 have come into effect immediately.
The Punjab government granted conditional permission to celebrate a “Safe Basant” in Lahore from February 6 to 8, 2026, as a recreational festival.
In this regard, the Deputy Commissioner Lahore has issued a formal notification for Basant 2026 under the Punjab Kite Flying Act, 2025.
The government reiterated that no form of lawbreaking will be tolerated during the celebrations, stressing that the restrictions aim to ensure public safety and respect for religious sentiments.
Under the Punjab Kite Flying Act, 2025, the use of metallic wire, nylon string or glass-coated kite string is completely banned.
The production, transportation, storage, sale, and use of dangerous kites and strings have also been declared illegal.
The spokesperson warned that kite flying before the officially permitted dates may result in imprisonment of up to five years and a fine of up to Rs2 million.
He said those involved in the manufacture or sale of prohibited materials may face up to seven years in prison and fines of up to Rs5 million.
