Safe Basant initiative: Fines to be imposed on motorcyclists riding without safety rods: CCPO
LAHORE: Capital City Police Officer Lahore Bilal Siddique Kamyana on Wednesday announced that fines would be imposed from Feb 1 on motorcyclists riding without safety rods, as part of a comprehensive safety plan for Basant.
The announcement was made at a ceremony held at the Town Hall to launch the installation of safety rods and a public awareness campaign under the Safe Basant initiative. The event was organized jointly with Lahore Commissioner Maryam Khan and attended by senior officials, including CTO Lahore Athar Waheed, Deputy Commissioner Lahore Capt Ali Ijaz (retd) and representatives of Rescue 1122, health, education, LDA and PHA departments. During the ceremony, safety rods were installed on motorcycles and awareness pamphlets were distributed among citizens.
Addressing the gathering, the CCPO said the Basant Safety Plan aimed to ensure the protection of life and property. Under the initiative, one million motorcycles would be fitted with safety rods free of cost. He reiterated a policy of zero tolerance for aerial firing, warning that strict legal action would be taken against violators. He added that a special traffic management plan had also been devised for the festival.
Sharing enforcement details, Kamyana said police had registered 1,078 cases and arrested 1,115 individuals during the ongoing month in operations against illegal kite flying. More than 40,000 illegally manufactured and sold kites and 926 spools were seized. He clarified that kite flying would only be permitted on Feb 6, 7 and 8, and strict action would be taken against violations on any other day. Legal action would also be initiated against parents or guardians of children found involved in illegal kite flying.
The CCPO said round-the-clock monitoring would be carried out during Basant through special control rooms at the Safe City Authority and the commissioner’s office, using CCTV cameras and drones. He urged the media to play a responsible role in promoting safe celebrations from Feb 6 to 8.
Speaking on the occasion, Commissioner Maryam Khan said that, on the directives of the Punjab Chief Minister, district and police administrations were fully mobilized. She said a special campaign was underway to ensure public safety, particularly for motorcyclists, adding that a free ride service would be available across the city during Basant.
Commissioner Lahore Marryam Khan said that a special campaign is being launched for the safety and security of citizens, especially bikers, free safety wires are being installed on motorcycles as part of the “Safe Basant” campaign from 100 safety camps across the city, including the town hall. She said that during the three-day Basant, no motorcycle will come on the roads of Lahore without safety. Under the Kite Flying Ordinance 2025, motorcycle riders are required to install safety wires/rods.
Commissioner Lahore said that a three-day “Safe Basant” is being held only within the limits of Lahore district on February 6, 7, and 8, 2026. Kite flying is absolutely not allowed in Lahore district before February 6, 2026. The sale of kites and strings in the city is allowed only from February 1 to February 8, 2026. The Lahore Commissioner said that kite flying material manufacturing is also allowed only in Lahore district and only registered manufacturers, traders and sellers will be allowed to do business.
The Lahore Commissioner has given instructions for a strict crackdown on violation of the dates and rules of “Safe Basant”. On the instructions of the Chief Minister of Punjab, the district administration and police administration are active in the field. During the Safe Basant Cultural Festival, all departments will be supporting the district administration and police.
Commissioner Lahore Marryam Khan has appealed to the citizens that the district administration is taking bike protection and biker safety measures for a safe Basant. Citizens must install safety rods on motorcycles, free ride service is also being provided in the city during Basant days. Every step will be taken to protect citizens; citizens should also play their key role for a safe Basant. DC Lahore has also appealed to citizens to install free safety rods on their motorcycles from the Safety Rods Camp established in Lahore city.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026