Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif said in a post on X on Tuesday that Lahore’s 2027 Basant festival will be held from March 12 to 14, 2027, following its successful return last year after an 18-year hiatus. Lahore will once again come alive with colour, culture, festivity, music, energy and legendary hospitality, she wrote.
The festival was banned in 2007 following an increase in deaths and serious injuries caused by sharp kite strings, particularly among motorcyclists and pillion riders, as well as by celebratory gunfire.
In her post, Maryam said the celebration is for the youth of Punjab and Pakistan , inviting them to come together, create memories, and make Lahore shine with your energy and spirit .
To our overseas Pakistanis and international guests, mark your calendars and come home to the warmth, colours and festivities of Lahore, she wrote.
The Punjab government, in May, announced a new set of rules and regulations for kite-flying during next year s Basant festival. At the time, Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari had said that the festival would be celebrated in February 2027.
According to the new rules, running, jumping and hanging over the edges on rooftops have been completely banned. The rules also prohibit the overcrowding of rooftops , adding that the number of persons present on a rooftop at any time shall not exceed its safe load-bearing capacity.
