Basant 2027 in Lahore: How to Register, Kite Rules and Penalties
Basant 2027 in Lahore is set for 12 to 14 March, tentative. Who must register on the Basant portal, the fees, approved kites and dor, and the jail terms.
Basant 2027 in Lahore is set for 12 to 14 March 2027, but the Punjab government's own Basant portal still marks those dates "tentative". Kite makers, traders, sellers and kite flying associations must register online at basant.punjab.gov.pk first. The fee is Rs 1,000, or Rs 5,000 for an association.
Flying a kite in Punjab is still illegal today. It becomes legal only in the places and on the days the Deputy Commissioner notifies, with the Punjab government's approval. That notification for Basant 2027 has not been issued yet.
We read the Punjab Regulation of Kite Flying Act 2025 in full on 27 September 2026, along with every page of the official Basant portal. Where a detail comes only from press reports, we say so.
Basant 2027 dates in Lahore are announced, not yet notified
The Basant portal shows 12, 13 and 14 March 2027 for Lahore, marked tentative. Under section 6 of the Act, kite flying is allowed only through a Deputy Commissioner notification approved by the Punjab government. Until that notification appears, flying any kite is an offence.
An announcement at a meeting does not make a kite legal. The notification will name the days and the places, and it can add conditions.
| Stage | Status on 27 September 2026 |
|---|---|
| Basant festival dates | 12 to 14 March 2027, tentative |
| Kite flying law | In force since 2 January 2026 |
| Registration of makers and sellers | Open online |
| DC notification allowing kite flying | Not issued yet |
| Public sale of kites and dor | Only 12 to 14 March 2027, tentative |
That last row surprises people. The portal's code of conduct for Lahore allows the sale and purchase of kites "strictly from 12th to 14th March, 2027 (Tentative)". So even a registered shop cannot sell to the public early, unless the final notification says otherwise. Press reports say manufacturer registration opened on 5 September 2026, but the portal gives no opening date.
Who must register on the Basant portal
Anyone who makes, trades, stores, transports or sells kites or kite string must register with their district's Deputy Commissioner. So must a kite flying association. The portal has four categories. People who only fly kites do not register.
- Manufacturer: makes approved kites or string for traders and sellers.
- Trader: a wholesaler who sells only to sellers or other traders.
- Seller: a shop that sells approved kites and dor (string) to the public.
- Kite flying association: a club with at least 10 members, including a President and a General Secretary.
You can register in more than one category, but each needs its own application and fee. The portal also has buttons to register a rooftop and to apply for a transport permit.
How to register for Basant 2027 online
Open basant.punjab.gov.pk and pick your category. The button sends you to the eBiz Punjab portal, where you fill in the form, upload documents and pay the fee. The portal FAQ says the Deputy Commissioner's office decides within 10 days.
- Go to basant.punjab.gov.pk and choose Manufacturer, Trader, Seller or Kite Flying Association.
- Complete the eBiz Punjab form with your CNIC, email address and business address.
- Upload a copy of your CNIC, proof that you own or rent the business place, and a passport size photo.
- Pay the fee and upload the receipt: Rs 1,000 for a maker, trader or seller, Rs 5,000 for an association.
- Wait for the DC office to verify your premises, then display the certificate at your shop.
An association applies through its President or General Secretary, with CNIC copies and mobile numbers for every member. Fees are not refundable. The certificate lasts one year.
Refused? Section 11 of the Act lets you appeal an officer's order to the Deputy Commissioner within 30 days, and a DC's order to the Commissioner. A trader bringing stock from another district also needs a DC transport permit, decided within one week.
What kites and string are allowed and what is banned
Only approved kite sizes and cotton string are allowed. A patang can be at most 35 inches wide and 30 inches long. The string must be cotton, at most 9 threads, wound in a ball called a pinna, with a QR code on each pinna. Metal, nylon, glass and chemical string is banned.
| Item | Rule on the Basant portal |
|---|---|
| Patang | Up to 35 inches wide and 30 inches long (4.5 githi) |
| Gudda | Up to 40 inches wide and 34 inches long (1.5 tawa) |
| Dor (string) | Cotton only, at most 9 threads (tars), at least 28 counts |
| Coating | Approved maanjha only: glue, flour and powder |
| Packing | Round ball (pinna), each with its own QR code |
| Charkhi (spool) | Banned |
| Sharp maanjha, glass, metal, chemical or nylon string | Banned |
The Act defines "sharp maanjha" as a coating of chemicals, ground glass or any other dangerous material. It also bans metallic wire and nylon cord, known as tandi.
The portal's transport guidelines add one more rule. Kites must not show any holy scripture, religious place, person, national flag, or political party flag or symbol. Buy only from a registered seller, because the Lahore code of conduct warns of legal action for buying from unapproved sources.
Penalties under the Punjab kite flying law
Flying a kite outside a notified Basant window can mean 3 to 5 years in jail, a Rs 2 million fine, or both. Making or selling kites or banned string without permission carries 5 to 7 years or a Rs 5 million fine. These offences are non-bailable.
| Offence | Section | Punishment |
|---|---|---|
| Flying a kite without a DC notification, or breaking its terms | 3(2), 6(2) | 3 to 5 years, or Rs 2 million fine, or both |
| Making, moving or selling kites or banned string without permission | 3(3) | 5 to 7 years, or Rs 5 million fine, or both |
| Trading without registration, or selling unapproved material | 5(3) | 1 to 5 years, or Rs 100,000 to Rs 500,000 fine, or both |
| Offence by a child under 18 | 3(4) | Rs 50,000 fine, Rs 100,000 if repeated |
| Motorcycle without prescribed safety measures during Basant | 6(3) | Rs 2,000 fine |
A child's fine is recovered from the parents if the child cannot pay. Police of Sub-Inspector rank or above can arrest without a warrant. Section 12 allows a reward of up to Rs 5,000 for credible tips, and the portal's helpline is 0800-02345.
Safety rules for rooftops and motorcyclists
The Lahore code of conduct makes safety rods mandatory on all motorcycles in the city. Rooftops need grills or safety walls, and unsafe roofs must not be used. The owner of a rooftop is personally responsible for any injury or breach there.
A loose string across a road is the biggest danger to a rider. A safety rod is an upright wire fixed at the front of the bike. It catches a string before it reaches the rider's neck. Fit one early, and wear a helmet and a scarf or neck guard too.
Press reports say Lahore traffic police will fit safety rods free before the festival. They also say rooftop walls must be at least three and a half feet high by 31 December 2026. Neither detail is on the portal yet, so treat both as reported.
The code of conduct also bans loud music, aerial firing, alcohol and harassment on rooftops. Keep children away from roof edges and electric wires.
If someone is hurt, call Rescue 1122 at once, and save the other emergency numbers in Pakistan before March. Riders should also have their motorcycle registration in Punjab in order, since the bike will be stopped at checks.
Common questions
Is kite flying legal in Lahore right now?
No. It stays an offence until the Deputy Commissioner issues a Basant 2027 notification with the Punjab government's approval.
Do I need to register if I only want to fly kites?
No. Registration is for makers, traders, sellers and associations. Buy approved material from a registered seller.
How much is the Basant registration fee?
Rs 1,000 for a manufacturer, trader or seller, and Rs 5,000 for an association. Fees are not refundable.
Is a charkhi allowed during Basant 2027?
No. The charkhi is banned. String must be wound in a pinna ball with its own QR code.
What is the penalty for selling glass coated string?
5 to 7 years in jail, a Rs 5 million fine, or both, under section 3(3) of the Act. It is non-bailable.
Last checked and sources
We last checked this on 27 September 2026. We read the Punjab Regulation of Kite Flying Act 2025 (Act I of 2026) on the Punjab Laws portal, published in the Punjab Gazette on 2 January 2026. We also read the Basant portal's home page, FAQs, safety rules, Lahore code of conduct and transport guidelines. The eBiz Punjab form did not load for us, so we could not see its fields. The dates stay tentative until the Deputy Commissioner's notification, and we will update this when it is issued.
About the author
Author
Fajr Riaz is a well-talented author at Pakera.pk with expertise in creative content creation/writing and storytelling. Fajr's strength lies in creating engaging articles, detailed guides, and straight narratives that connect with readers and give meaningful insights. With her accurate attention to detail and passion for writing, Fajr has established herself as a pivotal pillar at Pakera and is invaluable.
