Pakistan: Traditional Basant Kite Festival Returns to Lahore After Past Safety Bans 2

The ancient Basant festival returned to the streets of Lahore for the first time in nearly two decades, marking the arrival of spring with traditional kite flying. The event was banned in 2007 following years of fatalities and injuries caused by sharp kite strings, falls from rooftops, and aerial firing.

Scenes from northern Pakistan

Scenes from northern Pakistan

GARHI HABIBULLAH KHAN, Pakistan - Two bothers look exhausted as they warm themselves at a bonfire in the northern Pakistani town of Garhi Habibullah Khan early on the morning of Oct. 14.

Scenes from northern Pakistan

Scenes from northern Pakistan

GARHI HABIBULLAH KHAN, Pakistan - A girl (L) and a boy pose for photos at a makeshift clinic set up in an open square in the northern Pakistani town of Garhi Habibullah Khan on Oct. 13.

Scenes from northern Pakistan

Scenes from northern Pakistan

GARHI HABIBULLAH KHAN, Pakistan - An injured boy lies on a bed at a makeshift clinic set up in an open square in the northern Pakistani town of Garhi Habibullah Khan on Oct. 13.

Scenes from northern Pakistan

Scenes from northern Pakistan

GARHI HABIBULLAH KHAN, Pakistan - Villagers stand by the debris of a collapsed school building in the northern Pakistani town of Garhi Habibullah Khan on Oct. 13. Rescue workers said a number of bodies remain buried beneath the debris.

Scenes from northern Pakistan

Scenes from northern Pakistan

GARHI HABIBULLAH KHAN, Pakistan - A girl (L) and a boy pose for photos at a makeshift clinic set up in an open square in the northern Pakistani town of Garhi Habibullah Khan on Oct. 13. (Kyodo)

Scenes from northern Pakistan

Scenes from northern Pakistan

GARHI HABIBULLAH KHAN, Pakistan - Villagers stand by the debris of a collapsed school building in the northern Pakistani town of Garhi Habibullah Khan on Oct. 13. Rescue workers said a number of bodies remain buried beneath the debris. (Kyodo)

Scenes from northern Pakistan

Scenes from northern Pakistan

GARHI HABIBULLAH KHAN, Pakistan - Two bothers look exhausted as they warm themselves at a bonfire in the northern Pakistani town of Garhi Habibullah Khan early on the morning of Oct. 14. (Kyodo)

Scenes from northern Pakistan

Scenes from northern Pakistan

GARHI HABIBULLAH KHAN, Pakistan - An injured boy lies on a bed at a makeshift clinic set up in an open square in the northern Pakistani town of Garhi Habibullah Khan on Oct. 13. (Kyodo)