The registration process for kite manufacturers and producers of kite-flying materials for Basant 2027 officially commenced in Lahore on Saturday. The district administration has initiated this early regulation effort months before the festival to ensure controlled production standards.
Manufacturers are required to register via the dedicated Basant 2027 portal and secure a no-objection certificate (NOC) prior to starting production. Authorities plan to conduct inspections of manufacturing sites and closely monitor the production process to prevent the inclusion of banned materials in the market.
Currently, registration is limited to manufacturers only. Registration for kite sellers, traders, and associations is anticipated to open in January or February next year, with the administration set to announce specific dates in due course.
Strict regulations have been established regarding the materials used in kite production. Lahore Deputy Commissioner retired Capt Muhammad Ali Ijaz emphasized that only kites of approved dimensions and cotton strings will be permitted for the festival. The administration has adopted a zero-tolerance stance against chemical-coated strings and metallic wires. Approved cotton thread, commonly called pinna, must comply with prescribed standards.
Special teams from the district administration will carry out inspections of production facilities and oversee manufacturing activities to guarantee that only authorized kites and materials are produced and distributed.
Basant 2027 is scheduled to take place in Lahore from March 12 to 14.
In a significant development, the registration initiative follows Lahore’s hosting of Basant from February 6 to 8 this year, marking the festival’s return after an 18-year hiatus. The Punjab government reinstated kite flying under the Punjab Regulation of Kite Flying Act, 2025, which was passed by the Punjab Assembly in December 2025. The revival was initially limited to Lahore as a pilot project.
The 2026 festival was conducted with extensive safety protocols, including dividing Lahore into risk zones, deploying police and district administration personnel, monitoring rooftops, and using Safe City cameras and drones for surveillance. Coordination with Rescue 1122 and the power utility, alongside restrictions on kite string usage, aimed to minimize accident risks.
Authorities had also completed the registration of manufacturers, sellers, and traders ahead of this year’s festival. Launching the registration process for manufacturers in September allows officials several months to vet producers, inspect production sites, and establish a regulated supply chain before kite flying resumes in March.
