In a bold move, the Rawalpindi Kite Flying Association (RKFA) has declared its intention to celebrate Basant, the traditional spring festival of kite flying, in Rawalpindi city and Cantt areas, despite a government-imposed ban aimed at preventing accidents and fatalities.
RKFA officials, including Vice-Chairman Iqbal and Joint Secretary Iqrar Mehmood, have outlined their plans for the festivities, scheduled to kick off in Rawalpindi Cantt on February 9 and in Rawalpindi city on February 16, coinciding with Happy New Year celebrations. Basant night, a highlight of the event where white kites flown after sunset, set to take place in Rawalpindi Cantt on February 8 and in Rawalpindi city on February 16, lasting until 1 am.
Undeterred by the government ban since 2007, the RKFA has arranged a staggering 3.5 million kites and 1.5 million kite strings for the occasion. Even adverse weather conditions won’t halt the celebration, as the organizers plan to postpone the festival to the next Friday in case of rain. To address safety concerns, air firing will prohibit, and only drums will used for musical entertainment.
The government’s ban, citing safety and legal challenges, has met with opposition from kite flying enthusiasts and the kite-making industry, who argue that Basant is a cultural heritage and a means of livelihood for many.
Concerns have arisen about public safety, particularly for motorcyclists and those traveling at night, but the RKFA remains resolute in its plans.
Despite police crackdowns and seizures of banned kite-flying items, the sale of kites and strings is soaring, with prices seeing a significant increase—up 50 to 70 percent—due to inflation. Kite enthusiasts from various cities expected to converge on Rawalpindi for the celebrations.
While the district police claim to have made arrangements to prevent the activity, kite-flying enthusiasts appear undeterred, leading to a potential clash between authorities and celebrants during the upcoming Basant nights. The police plan to deploy motorcycle-borne personnel and involve mosques in educating the public about the hazards of kite flying.
As the city braces for the controversial celebrations, the age-old tradition of Basant seems poised to defy the ban once again, raising questions about the ability of authorities to enforce the prohibition effectively.
 has declared its intention to celebrate Basant, the traditional spring festival of kite flying, in Rawalpindi city and Cantt areas, despite a government-imposed ban aimed at preventing accidents and fatalities.){kind=link}