Basant 2027 · Allowed vs banned
Allowed vs banned for Basant 2027: string, kites and rooftop gear
Only cotton dor wound as a QR-coded pinna, and kites within the approved size, are allowed for Basant 2027. Metallic wire, nylon tandi, glass- or chemically coated string, sharp maanjha, the charkhi, oversize kites, loud music and DJ systems, and aerial firing are banned. Making or selling banned string can mean 5 to 7 years in prison.
Basant 2027 at a glance
Short answers from our facts table. Each one links to its source and shows when we last checked it.
Which string is legal?
Cotton dor only
Up to 9 threads (tars), at least 28 count, approved maanjha only.
confirmedDetails and source
Only cotton dor is allowed: at most 9 threads (tars), at least 28 count, coated only with approved maanjha, and wound in a round ball called a pinna. Every pinna must carry its own QR code for verification.
What's banned?
No metal, nylon or coated string
Banned: metallic wire; nylon string (tandi); glass-coated or chemically coated string; sharp maanjha; the charkhi spool reel; kites or string above the permitted size; loud music, DJ sound systems and other noise makers such as baja and whistles; aerial firing.
confirmedDetails and source
Banned: metallic wire; nylon string (tandi); glass-coated or chemically coated string; sharp maanjha; the charkhi spool reel; kites or string above the permitted size; loud music, DJ sound systems and other noise makers such as baja and whistles; aerial firing.
confirmedSource: Pakistan Today
How big can kites be?
35 × 30 in
The largest patang or guddi. A gudda may be up to 40 × 34 in.
confirmedDetails and source
Official maximum kite sizes: a patang (guddi) may be at most 35 inches wide and 30 inches long (4.5 githi), and a gudda at most 40 inches wide and 34 inches long (1.5 tawa). Nothing larger is allowed.
On this page
What is allowed and what is banned at Basant 2027?
Cotton dor on a QR-coded pinna, kites within the approved size and protective gear are allowed; everything that cuts, conducts electricity or makes loud noise is banned.
| Item | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cotton dor on a QR-coded pinna | Allowed | Scan the code before you pay |
| Gudda kites | Allowed | Up to 40 × 34 inches (1.5 tawa gudda) |
| Guddi kites | Allowed | Up to 35 × 30 inches (patang or guddi (4.5 githi)) |
| Finger guards, gloves, goggles | Allowed | Protect hands and eyes from running string |
| Neck guards and motorcycle safety rods | Allowed | A rod is required on motorcycles in permitted areas |
| Torch and flood lights for evening flying | Allowed | Point them at the sky, never at roads or neighbours |
| Metallic wire or metal-coated string | Banned | Conducts electricity from power lines |
| Nylon string (tandi) | Banned | Does not snap; cuts skin and other lines |
| Glass-coated or chemically coated string | Banned | Made to cut |
| Sharp maanjha | Banned | Coated to cut |
| Charkhi (spool reel) | Banned | Banned by the 2026 Lahore notification |
| Oversize kites or string | Banned | Above the approved size |
| Loud music, DJ systems, baja, whistles | Banned | Noise rules on rooftops and streets |
| Aerial firing, display of weapons | Banned | Criminal offence |
How can you tell if string is banned?
Legal cotton dor is matte and snaps under a sharp tug; shine, grit, stretch or a missing QR code are warning signs.
Read moreShow less
- Official spec (legal): cotton, at most 9 threads (tar), at least 28 count, coated only with approved maanjha; sharp maanjha is banned.
- Cotton (legal): matte and slightly fuzzy; snaps cleanly when you pull a short length hard between two fists.
- Nylon (banned): smooth and glossy, stretches before it breaks, and is hard to snap by hand.
- Glass-coated (banned): gritty to touch, sparkles in sunlight, and can leave fine glitter on your fingers.
- Chemically coated (banned): stiff or sticky, with a strong smell, and may stain your fingers.
- Metallic (banned): shiny and springy, often with a metal core visible at a cut end.
- No QR code, or a code that fails: treat it as illegal, however good it looks. Check the code.
Test safely
Never run suspect string through bare fingers. Wear a glove or finger guard, and test only a short length.
Why are these items banned?
Because coated, metallic and nylon strings cut through skin and power lines, and the injuries they caused kept Basant banned for nearly two decades.
Read moreShow less
Cutting duels (pecha) are part of Basant, but coated and synthetic strings made them dangerous, which is why they are banned: a loose line across a road can injure a motorcyclist, and metal string can carry current from overhead lines. The Punjab Regulation of Kite Flying Act 2025 brings Basant back on the condition that only cotton string is used, and it punishes anyone who makes, stores or sells banned material with 5 to 7 years in prison and a fine of up to Rs 5 million.
Is the charkhi allowed for Basant 2027?
No: the 2026 Lahore notification banned the charkhi outright, so wind your dor by hand or back onto the pinna.
Expect the same in 2027 unless the new notification says otherwise. A pinna and a pair of finger guards are all you need.
Are music, baja and whistles allowed on rooftops?
No: the 2026 rules banned loud music, DJ systems and any noise that disturbs public peace, which covers the baja and whistles.
Some sellers still list a baja among their Basant essentials, even though it is banned. So is a rooftop sound system. You will not find either in our shop.
Why don't we sell laser lights?
Laser beams can dazzle pilots and drivers, so we leave them out even though the Basant rules do not name them.
For evening flying, a white or yellow kite and a torch or flood light pointed at the sky do the job safely. We will stock those instead.
What should you do if you see banned string for sale?
Don't buy it, and report the seller to the police helpline 15 with the shop's name and location.
If you find banned string on a roof or in a street, don't pull it with bare hands. Cut it into short lengths with scissors, wearing gloves, and bin it so it cannot snag anyone.
Frequently asked questions
Is cotton string the only string allowed for Basant 2027?
Only cotton dor is allowed: at most 9 threads (tars), at least 28 count, coated only with approved maanjha, and wound in a round ball called a pinna. Every pinna must carry its own QR code for verification.
Is tandi allowed?
No. Tandi is nylon string, which is banned under the Punjab Regulation of Kite Flying Act 2025.
Can I buy maanjha for Basant 2027?
Sharp maanjha is banned. Only plain cotton dor on a QR-coded pinna is allowed.
What is the biggest kite allowed?
Official maximum kite sizes: a patang (guddi) may be at most 35 inches wide and 30 inches long (4.5 githi), and a gudda at most 40 inches wide and 34 inches long (1.5 tawa). Nothing larger is allowed.
Are finger guards and gloves allowed?
Yes. Protective gear is allowed and sensible for anyone handling string.
Sources (10)
- Punjab Basant portal (official) — Safety rules (15 Oct 2026)
- The Express Tribune — Lahore revives Basant 2026 but keeps kite-flying on a tight string
- Pakistan Today — Punjab Assembly passes strict kite-flying law with heavy penalties (24 Dec 2025)
- Geo News — Kite-flying rules, sales window notified (charkhi ban) (29 Dec 2025)
- ARY News — Basant 2026 SOPs for Lahore (noise, DJ, aerial firing) (2 Feb 2026)
- Dawn — Punjab govt plans stringent regulations for safe Basant in Lahore (11 Sept 2026)
- The Express Tribune — PA passes Kite Flying Bill 2025 with tough penalties
- SGSPL — QR-code registration made mandatory for kites in Lahore ahead of Basant 2026
- Dawn — Punjab Assembly passes kite flying regulation bill (24 Dec 2025)
- FAFEN — Kite Flying Regulation: How it Evolved Since 2001