The Punjab government has approved a 10-day Basant festival in Lahore from January 29 to February 7, 2027. Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz approved the new schedule on September 30, replacing an earlier plan for a three-day celebration in March.
The celebrations will pause on February 5 for Kashmir Day and resume afterward. The chief minister has directed relevant departments to start preparations early and improve safety and public facilities compared with the arrangements made during the previous Basant.
Basant returned to Lahore in February 2026 after a long ban. The festival was previously prohibited in Punjab in 2007 following deaths and serious injuries linked mainly to dangerous kite strings and related incidents.
The government has since introduced rules for regulated kite flying. Dangerous strings, including metallic and chemically coated varieties, are prohibited. The Lahore district administration has also issued restrictions on activities such as aerial firing and fireworks.
Authorities are preparing further safety measures for the extended festival. Earlier plans included inspections of rooftops, requirements for safe building structures and penalties for violations. Officials have stressed that public safety will remain a key part of the 2027 celebrations.
