‘Magical atmosphere’: Kite fever lights up Lahore as Basant boosts economy

Lahore, Pakistan – Hasnain Khalid, 17, has never flown a kite.

Over the past week, though, Khalid and his 27-year-old cousin, Noman Tariq, have bought 200 kites. They’re preparing for festivities that have long been a central facet of life in Lahore, but were banned in 2007.

Now, Basant, as the three-day festival is called, is returning, starting on Friday. The historic Mo...