Three-Day Basant Festival in Lahore: IG Punjab Abdul Kareem Orders Lahore Police to Remain on High Alert
Inspector General of Police Punjab, Rao Abdul Kareem, has instructed police officers and personnel in Lahore to remain on high alert and perform their duties diligently during the Basant Festival. He emphasized that strict compliance with government SOPs and code of conduct must be ensured for a safe, peaceful, and enjoyable three-day festival (6–8 February). IG Punjab clarified that a zero-tolerance policy will be enforced against aerial firing, display of weapons, provocation, indecency, obscenity, or any activity that disrupts public peace. Strict legal action will be taken against the use of metallic, chemical, and prohibited kite strings.
He further said that bans on kite flying near airports, air routes, sensitive installations, and prohibited areas remain in effect. Police officers are required to ensure effective monitoring of rooftops, streets, and all festival-related activities during the three-day event. Punjab Police spokesperson said that during the crackdown under the Anti-Kite Flying Act over the past 24 hours, 193 cases were registered across the province, including Lahore, and 191 suspects were arrested. During the operations, 22,755 unauthorized kites and 462 metallic and chemical kite reels were seized. So far this year, 4,486 accused involved in the trade of metallic kites and reels have been arrested across the province, and more than 371,000 kites and 8,648 kite reels have been recovered from their possession.
IG Punjab directed all RPOs and DPOs to strictly enforce the Anti-Kite Flying Act and take indiscriminate action against kite flyers, manufacturers, and sellers. In Lahore, Basant is allowed only on specific days under strict government regulations. He further instructed that only registered kite vendors are allowed to sell approved kites and reels, and strict legal action will follow any violation. Continuous monitoring will be conducted using drones, Safe City cameras, and binoculars. IG Punjab appealed to citizens to act responsibly, follow the law, and cooperate with the police to protect precious human lives.
Handout No. 106)
Syed Mubasher Hussain
Director Public Relations
Punjab Police
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