Once a symbol of culture and community, Basant now feels like a kitsch spectacle for the elite. Amid deafening music and flashy displays, the
An illustrative image related to: Basant turns deadly once again, highlighting key aspects of the story. | Image source: The Express Tribune
Basant turns deadly once again
Once a symbol of culture and community, Basant now feels like a kitsch spectacle for the elite. Amid deafening music and flashy displays, the festival became a staged social press moment rather than a shared celebration. But beneath this surface lies a grim but familiar reality. While the elite pose for reels, it is the poor who pay with their lives.
In the first week of February 2026, a three-day Basant festival was held in Lahore after the province temporarily suspended a 21-year prohibition through an executive statute, allowing kite flying under certain conditions. While official records from the Home Division documented 17 deaths and 160 injuries, sources of the Express Tribune revealed that the death toll may be as high as 21.
Most deaths occurred due to falls from rooftops, with victims aged between 15 and 30. Some also died from electrocution or falling from trees. Specifically, 12 individuals died after falling from rooftops, while three died from electric shocks. Despite safety measures such as banning metallic strings and installing protective rods on motorcycles, more than 120 accidents were documented, injuring over 160 individuals.
The family of Zain Malik, who died after falling from a rooftop, felt that Basant had destroyed their home. "No province official has contacted us and no financial relief has been provided." Similarly, the father of Ahmed, who died from electrocution, criticized the province for organizing the festival to please the elite while poor families lost their children, without receiving any compensation or backing.
General directive advisor and social activist Salman Abid opined that in reality, the Basant festival, which was organized via an executive statute and limited to three days in Lahore, benefited the privileged class only. "Despite the province's claims, kite flying continues beyond the permitted period, and representatives have failed to enforce the prohibition. Although 17 deaths were officially acknowledged, reports suggest up to 24 deaths, and no compensation has been given to affected families," stated Abid.
In the meanwhile, the province reportedly generated over Rs3 to Rs4 billion in income during this period. It is estimated that kite and string sales alone generated between Rs2 to Rs2.5 billion. The province had reportedly permitted over 5,000 vendors to sell kites and strings.
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