An Industry Overview of Pakistan Kite and String Exports
Does Pakistan Export Kites and Strings? (H2)
I spent weeks trying to understand where Pakistani kites actually go when they’re not sold locally. What I found shocked me.
While Basant was banned for 18 years in Punjab, Lahore’s kite makers never stopped working. They just shipped everything abroad. The numbers are wild: 97 manufacturers exporting to 26 countries. 193% growth in two years (Volza, 2023). Rs. 1 billion in sales during Basant 2026 alone Al Jazeera, Feb 2026.
Nobody talks about this because it’s easier to write about the ban. But I wanted to know: who’s buying Pakistani kites? How do they compete globally? What happens now that Basant is back?
Here’s everything I found.
Where Pakistani Kites Actually Go
Yes, Pakistan exports kites and strings. Heavily. 307 documented shipments between Jan 2022 and Dec 2023. The top three buyers: USA, UAE, and Canada.
Here’s how it works officially:
| What Gets Exported | Trade Code | Main Buyers |
|---|---|---|
| Handmade Kites (Patang/Gudda) | HS 9503.00.90 | USA, UAE, Canada, UK |
| Cotton Dor (Strings) | HS 5204.20.90 | UAE, USA, Canada |
Why people buy them:
- Pakistani diaspora in Gulf/North America (emotional connection to home)
- Indian diaspora (same traditions, political borders don’t matter in New York)
- Kite specialty stores (there’s literally Pakistani kite shops in NYC operating year-round)
- Cultural organizations (South Asian heritage programs need authentic products)
Economical Impact
Before the 2007 ban, Pakistan’s kite sector supported 600,000 families (60% women workers) [source]. Annual economic activity: Rs. 3 billion province-wide [source].
Then the ban hit. Every single workshop had three choices:
- Go underground (illegal, risky)
- Export only (legal, limited)
- Quit entirely
Most chose option 2. For 18 years, Lahore workshops operated from homes, shipping through third-party dealers to avoid Punjab enforcement [source]. They survived by serving international markets when domestic sales died.
Then Basant 2026 happened.
What Three Days of Freedom Generated
| Metric | Amount | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Direct kite/string sales | Rs. 1 billion ($3.5M) | Al Jazeera, Feb 2026 |
| Lahore sales (2 days) | Rs. 340 million | SAMAA TV, Feb 2026 |
| Total economic impact (all sectors) | Rs. 20 billion | Industry estimates, Feb 2026 |
Export Rules That Actually Matter
Here’s what confused me initially: why can’t Pakistani manufacturers export the same strings sold in Lahore?
Turns out, domestic rules don’t apply to exports.
Punjab domestic limits:
- ✅ 9-ply cotton maximum
- ✅ QR codes mandatory
- ✅ Pinna format only
- ❌ No charkhis (wooden spools)
- ❌ No chemical coating
- ❌ No metallic strings
Export production:
- ✅ 12-ply, 18-ply, 24-ply allowed
- ✅ Traditional charkhis permitted
- ✅ Heavier glass coating (if destination allows)
- ✅ Must meet importing country safety standards
This dual system lets craftsmen show full traditional skills to global buyers while Punjab maintains domestic safety
Conclusion
Pakistan exports kites to 26 countries not because of government support or marketing budgets, but because master craftsmen refused to let centuries of tradition disappear.