The long-awaited return of Basant to Lahore has been marred by tragedy, with one person killed and at least five to six others injured in separate kite-flying incidents as celebrations began on Friday, February 6, 2026.
Twenty-five-year-old Ali Rasheed died from electrocution while attempting to retrieve a stray kite near the Sikh Canal in Baghbanpura. He reportedly climbed an electric pole and came into contact with live wires, highlighting the deadly risks that originally led to the festival’s ban.
Among the injured, eight-year-old Irsa sustained throat injuries when a kite string wrapped around her neck in Gulshan-e-Ravi, while 45-year-old Shabbir was hurt when a kite string became entangled around him in the same area. Two children, 12-year-old Abdul Wahid and 14-year-old Salman, were injured while retrieving stray kites.
The incidents occurred despite extensive safety measures. The Punjab government banned metallic wire and nylon string, making installation of safety rods on motorcycles mandatory. Over 10,000 police officers were deployed across Lahore, with checkpoints established in multiple zones.
The kite-flying festival was banned in 2007 in Punjab because of an increasing number of deaths and serious injuries caused by sharp strings, particularly to motorcyclists and pillion riders. Critics had warned that repeating history was inevitable.
These early casualties raise serious questions about whether cultural celebration can truly coexist with public safety, or whether Basant’s return was premature despite governmental assurances and regulations.
