Lahore erupted in color and celebration as the long-banned Basant festival wrapped up after three high-energy days, drawing massive crowds to rooftops and streets across the city for kite flying and festivities.
From dawn to dusk and even beyond the city buzzed with music, flying kites, and a renewed sense of tradition, as Lahoris embraced the revival of a festival once erased by tragedy and controversy.
A few years ago, a gloomy atmosphere had claimed Lahore’s skyline, but today, it is glittering with the delights of a revived pure Lahori, Punjabi spirit. Pakistan, aap ko Mubarak ho ❤️ pic.twitter.com/jxchbnS351
— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) February 8, 2026
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz expressed satisfaction over the celebrations, praising citizens for honoring the government’s trust. In a message shared on X, she highlighted that people followed rules and regulations, successfully promoting the concept of a joyful yet secure Basant.
She noted that rooftops across Lahore witnessed kite flying in line with standard operating procedures, while key areas such as Liberty and the Walled City were backed by extensive medical arrangements.
In a surprise move that delighted festivalgoers, the Chief Minister announced on Sunday that Basant festivities could continue till 5am on Monday, extending the earlier deadline that was set to end Sunday night.
To manage safety concerns, over 200 clinics on wheels and 21 field hospitals remained operational throughout the festival. Maryam Nawaz urged the public to continue exercising caution and announced that Lahore’s Safe Basant model would be replicated in other cities.
Basant was banned in Punjab in 2007 following a series of fatal accidents caused by glass-coated kite strings (manjha) and celebratory aerial gunfire, which claimed the lives of pedestrians and motorcyclists. The razor-sharp strings left many seriously injured, triggering a province-wide crackdown.
Info minister Azma Bokhari commended Lahoris for following safety protocols, ensuring that the city’s beloved festival and cultural heritage were protected while celebrating joyfully. She also highlighted role of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, calling her the guardian of happiness for Lahore and across Punjab. “It is under her leadership that Basant was celebrated peacefully and successfully this year,” he said.
After the decades Punjab government lifted the ban last December, ending a 25-year freeze but only under strict regulations and only in Lahore.
This year, authorities allowed the festival for three days with heightened safety measures, a move widely welcomed by residents and thousands of visitors who travelled from across the country to witness Lahore reclaim one of its most iconic traditions.
For many, Basant’s return wasn’t just about kites it was about identity, memory, and a city finally trusted to celebrate responsibly.
The three-day festival, renowned for its energy, colors, and kite-filled skies, ended on a note of peace and hope, leaving Lahoris eagerly awaiting next year’s festivities.
