The Punjab government is planning to partially revive the Basant festival after nearly three decades, permitting celebrations under strict regulations at specific venues like open fields and hotel rooftops.
All participants will be required to adhere strictly to safety guidelines. The use of oversized kites or strings made with metal or glass coating will be completely banned. Those violating these rules may face fines between Rs 200,000 and Rs one million, along with imprisonment of up to six months.
In the past, in Lahore, this deadly sport (kite flying) has claimed 19 lives in 99 incidents in the last 10 years, and 80 people were hurt in slitting of throats incidents. The police registered 18 cases of murder and 70 cases of injury, while the FIR was lodged against 10 people, but no action was taken against them.
According to police sources, there have been incidents of throat-slitting deaths due to a deadly string (door) in Lahore, but due to poor police investigation, none of the accused in the murder cases could be punished. One accused was acquitted, while four cases are still under investigation. Out of 70 cases registered against people injured by a string, nine people were acquitted, while 10 cases are still under investigation.
In 2015, three people were bruised after being injured by a plastic string used by kite flyers. In 2017, two people lost their lives after being killed by a plastic string, while three were injured. In 2018, one citizen lost his life due to slitting his throat with a deadly string. Deadly strings also injured eight people on that occasion.
In 2019, two civilians lost their lives after being strangled by a sharp string on Basant day, while four people were also wounded by a plastic string. In 2020, the highest number of deaths was seven due to a deadly plastic string strangling their necks, while 11 people were badly wounded. In 2021, three people lost their lives at the Basant festival due to getting their throats slit with a kite string, while 14 people were injured by the strings.
In the year 2022, two people lost their lives, while 16 people were injured by a deadly string used in kite flying. In the year 2023, one citizen lost his life due to being cut by his throat while riding on a bike, while nine people were badly wounded due to being cut by a string. In the year 2024, 10 people were badly injured by a string while they were riding on a bike.
So far in 2025, one citizen has lost his life, while two people were injured due to strangling a plastic string around their necks. There have been 86 incidents of motorcyclists being strangled, while 12 other incidents have occurred. The investigation police have filed 23 cases; 22 cases have been dismissed, while the accused in 42 cases have not been found, and one case is still under investigation.