LAHORE: The buying and selling of kites and strings have reached a peak across Punjab, with Lahore emerging as the main hub ahead of the Basant festival. Markets in the city are witnessing heavy footfall as enthusiasts prepare for the seasonal celebrations.
According to Malik Faizan, legal advisor of the Kite Flying Association (KFA), sales activity surged sharply from the very first day. He revealed that nearly 400,000 kites were sold on day one alone. Alongside kites, around 15,000 spools of kite string were also sold during the early phase of the festival buildup.
Traders in Lahore say demand has been strong across all kite sizes. Large kites are being sold for around Rs 500 each. Medium-sized kites are priced at about Rs 300, while small kites are available for nearly Rs 200. Shopkeepers say customers are buying in bulk, especially families and groups of young people.
String prices have also climbed due to high demand. According to Faizan, standard quality string spools are selling between Rs 7,000 and Rs 8,000. Premium and high-end string varieties are priced much higher, ranging from Rs 12,000 to Rs 15,000 per spool. Sellers say buyers are willing to pay more for stronger and longer-lasting strings.
The economic impact of Basant-related trade has been significant. Faizan estimated that large kites alone have generated around Rs 100 million in revenue. Medium-sized kites added nearly Rs 30 million, while small kites contributed about Rs 10.5 million. In total, kite sales have already crossed Rs 150 million.
String sales have further boosted earnings. Estimates suggest that string trading has brought in nearly Rs 80 million so far. Combined, the kite and string business has created strong short-term economic activity for traders, manufacturers, and suppliers.
In Lahore, major markets such as Mochi Gate, Islampura, Sanda, Samanabad, and Ichhra remain crowded throughout the day. Vendors say business continues late into the night. Many workers involved in kite making and string preparation have also seen increased income.
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Despite concerns over safety and regulation, traders say the festival season remains crucial for livelihoods. As Basant approaches, Lahore is expected to see even higher sales volumes, further strengthening local commerce linked to this traditional activity.
