Electrocution and rooftop falls among leading causes as court reviews safety measures after two-decade ban was lifted
Authorities in Pakistan’s Punjab province have told the Lahore High Court that 17 people died during this month’s Basant kite-flying festival in Lahore, reviving concerns over safety after the traditional celebration was reinstated following nearly 20 years of restrictions.
In a supplementary report submitted in compliance with a 17 February court order, the provincial government said the fatalities occurred during the 6–8 February festival. According to the filing, three deaths were caused by electrocution, 12 by falls from rooftops and two by falls from trees.
Basant — a spring festival marked by mass rooftop kite flying — had long been banned in Punjab due to repeated fatalities linked to metallic or chemically coated strings, contact with power lines and falls from buildings. Injuries to motorcyclists caused by sharp kite strings were also a recurring concern.
This year, the Government of Punjab revived the festival under new regulatory measures. Officials prohibited so-called “killer strings”, required kites and spools to carry traceable QR codes and mandated that motorcyclists install safety rods on their vehicles to deflect stray threads.
Around 4,600 producers registered with authorities to sell kites and string. Rooftops hosting 30 or more participants were required to register, and dozens were declared off-limits after inspections.
The report was filed in proceedings initiated by the Judicial Activism Panel against the provincial administration. Further hearings are expected as the court examines whether the safety framework was sufficient.
Despite tighter oversight, the death toll has renewed debate over whether the festival can be conducted safely in densely populated urban areas.
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