Viral video of kites flying in the sky as Basant begins is not from Lahore but from Indian Hyderabad

none@none.com (CEJ) — Fri, 06 Feb 2026 16:38:50 +0500

CLAIM

Viral video shows kites flying in the sky as the Basant festival begins in Lahore

RATING JUSTIFICATION

The iVerify Pakistan team investigated this content and determined that it is misleading.

To reach this conclusion, iVerify Pakistan conducted a reverse image search to trace the original source.

Multiple users, including PML-N supporters, shared a video on February 6, 2026, across social media platforms claiming it shows kites flying in the sky as the Basant festival begins in Lahore. However, the video dates back to January 2026 and is from Hyderabad, India.

After an 18-year hiatus, Basant has returned to Lahore with colourful kites filling the sky, as the Punjab government officially declared public holidays on February 6 and 7 to mark the festival. Large crowds from across the country and abroad have arrived in the city, encouraged by a long weekend announced by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.

Declared a “sensitive” event, Basant is being celebrated under strict security arrangements and regulations introduced under the Punjab Regulation of Kite Flying Ordinance 2025, which allows only thread-based kite strings and bans sharp or metallic material. Despite the festive atmosphere, soaring prices of kites and twine due to high demand have limited participation for many residents, as authorities prioritise safety and order during the celebrations.

HOW IT STARTED

On Feb 6, a local digital media outlet, primarily known for sharing entertainment-related content, posted a video on its X account showing kites flying in the sky and people enjoying themselves on rooftops.

The video was captioned, “Electric visuals from Androon Lahore,” and included the hashtags #BasantFestival, #PhirAaiBasant, and #Basant2026.

The post was viewed by more than 79,500 users.

The same video was also shared by a PML-N supporter on X. The caption of the post reads: “These are the same kids who, just four years ago, used to shut down the entire country or sit in sit-ins behind some philosopher. Maryam Nawaz Sharif has brought them from there to here and made them stand right in front of us. Study, play, enjoy, have fun, celebrate.”

This post received over 22,400 views.

Journalist Murtaza Ali Shah shared the video on his TikTok account with the caption, “Visuals from Androon Lahore,” where it garnered more than 109,000 views.

The same video was also posted by ARY News on its official TikTok account, accumulating over 390,000 views.

Additionally, Najam Wali Khan, a journalist associated with PTV News, also shared the video on his X account.

Several other users, including PML-N supporters, also circulated the same video on X with similar captions, as can be seen here, here, here, here and here, collectively gaining over 56,000 views.

Hina Pervaiz Butt, a PML-N MPA and Chairperson of the Punjab Women Protection Authority, also shared the same video on her X account. The video carried a location tag reading “Begum Bazar.”

In her caption, she wrote, “Thank you, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sahiba! The credit for these joys goes to you.” Her post garnered more than 54,000 views.

Anchorperson Wajih Sani also shared the same video, which received over 43,000 views.

METHODOLOGY

A fact-check was initiated to determine the veracity of the claim due to its virality and keen public interest surrounding the revival of the Basant festival in Lahore.

Some users in the comment sections of the posts were seen to be disputing the video being from Lahore.

To investigate the matter, a reverse image search was conducted, which yielded an Instagram reel uploaded on January 15, 2026, by an account named “hyd_festives”.

View this post on Instagram

The caption on the reel stated, “Night kites flying in Old City Begum Bazar 2026,” along with hashtags #trending, #kitelovers, #sankranti, #hyderabad, and #hydfestives.

Another Instagram account, “palvancharaju”, shared the same video on January 17, 2026, explicitly linking it to the kite festival celebrations in Begum Bazar, Hyderabad.

View this post on Instagram

Keyword searches about kite festivals in Hyderabad in January 2026 yielded a news report published by The Siasat Daily, a prominent Urdu-language newspaper based in Hyderabad, India, dated January 17, 2026, titled “Watch: Begum Bazaar skies once again leave internet mesmerised.”

The report explained that during Sankranti, Begum Bazar transforms into a vibrant hub of celebration, with families gathering on rooftops throughout the day to fly kites. As evening falls, LED-lit kites illuminate the night sky, adding to the festive atmosphere and drawing widespread attention on social media.

The same event was also reported by The Times of India on January 17, 2026.