LAHORE: The Punjab government announced on Friday that Lahore will celebrate Basant from March 12 to 14 next year under strict kite-flying safety regulations, including controls on the manufacture and sale of kite-flying materials and a ban on the activity in designated areas near Allama Iqbal International Airport. A notification issued by Deputy Commissioner Lahore Muhammad Ali Ijaz on Friday, with prior approval from the provincial government, has permitted kite flying across the district during the three-day period, except in designated prohibited zones. Earlier, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif had approved a 10-day Basant festival in Lahore, describing it as a major festive gift for the city’s residents. However, the Punjab government did not issue a formal notification following her announcement.