Secretary Home Punjab Reviews Security Arrangements for Safe Basant 2027

Lahore (Nazrana Times): Punjab Home Secretary Dr. Ahmad Javed Qazi chaired a high-level meeting to review security and safety arrangements for the celebration of Basant in Lahore on March 12, 13 and 14, 2027.
During the meeting, detailed directions were issued to all relevant departments to ensure that the event is held in a safe and regulated manner. Authorities made it clear that the existing ban on kite flying across Punjab will remain strictly in force before and after the designated Basant dates. Anyone violating the ban will face legal action.

Under the safety guidelines, kite flying will not be allowed from unsafe or structurally weak rooftops. Rooftop boundary walls and protective grills must be at least 3.5 feet high and structurally secure.

Building owners will be responsible for ensuring rooftop safety. Necessary repairs to rooftops, parapet walls and stairways at approved locations must be completed by December 31, 2026.

The Deputy Commissioner Lahore has been directed to inspect rooftops of old buildings. Kite flying will remain prohibited on weak buildings and unsafe rooftops even during the three designated Basant days.

Authorities have also been instructed to ensure that nearby electricity wires are properly protected and that rooftops are made safe before being used for kite flying.

The City Traffic Police Lahore will install safety rods free of cost on more than two million motorcycles ahead of Basant. Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) will also install safety netting and take other precautionary measures around electricity installations.

The Deputy Commissioner Lahore will begin issuing permits this month for the manufacture, transportation and sale of kites and kite string, subject to prescribed limits and government regulations.

During Basant, the Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) will remove and dispose of kites caught in trees, while LESCO will clear kites and string from electricity poles and wires.

Safety certificates for lifts will be mandatory at authorized buildings. The storage of inflammable material on rooftops will be strictly prohibited, while first-aid equipment must be available at approved locations.

Parents, guardians and event organizers will have primary responsibility for the safety of children. Building owners and organizers will also share responsibility for ensuring that rooftops and other designated areas remain safe.

Authorized officers will carry out inspections of rooftops and buildings. The Deputy Commissioner Lahore will have the authority to seal any building found violating safety directions or applicable laws.

Building owners and organizers may also be held legally responsible in the event of an accident, injury, death or other violation resulting from non-compliance with safety requirements.

Citizens have been urged to place the protection of human life above recreation and to report unsafe, illegal or inappropriate activities to Police Helpline 15.

Penalties

Anyone found flying kites before or after March 12–14, 2027 may face imprisonment of up to five years and a fine of up to Rs. 2 million.

The unauthorized manufacture, transportation or sale of kites or kite string without prior government approval may result in imprisonment of up to seven years and a fine of up to Rs. 5 million.

Authorities have also warned that harassment, disturbance to residents, indecent conduct or any other inappropriate behaviour during Basant will not be tolerated.

The meeting was attended by Special Secretary Home Zainab Khan, Commissioner Lahore, Deputy Commissioner Lahore, DIG Operations Lahore, Chief Traffic Officer Lahore, Additional Secretary Internal Security, Additional Secretary Judicial, Director Law, Director Civil Defence Punjab, and senior officials from LESCO, PHA, the Walled City of Lahore Authority and the Lahore Development Authority.