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The Punjab government has announced public holidays on February 6th and 7th (Friday and Saturday) for Basant celebrations, as stated in a notification issued by the provincial government’s Services and General Administration Department on Tuesday. A copy of the notification can be found with Dawn.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz had earlier declared a “long weekend,” including Kashmir Day on February 5th, followed by a Provincial Basant holiday on February 6th, and ending with Saturday and Sunday off work days.
Basant Panchami marks the fifth day of the lunar month Magh, symbolizing future crop prosperity, spring, and good fortune. The kite-flying festival was banned in Punjab in 2007 due to increasing incidents of deaths and severe injuries caused by sharp strings, particularly to motorcyclists and pillion riders, as well as by celebratory gunfire.
However, after a 18-year hiatus, Basant is set to return with the lifting of the kite flying ban by the Punjab government. In December, the government allowed for the celebration of Basant under strict regulations. The new Punjab Regulation of Kite Flying Ordinance 2025 permits only thread-based kite strings and strictly bans metallic, chemical-coated, or sharp strings.