The colorful Basant festival in Lahore has come to an end with citizens enthusiastically flying kites throughout all three days.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz expressed her feelings after witnessing the enthusiasm of the citizens.
In a message posted on X she wrote that Lahoris had lived up to the government’s trust by strictly following the rules and regulations thereby maintaining confidence.
She said the vision of a joyful yet safe Basant was fully followed.
She further wrote that kite flyers competed fiercely with kites dancing in the air which reflected true happiness.
Basant was celebrated safely on rooftops in line with the SOPs.
She said that 200 Clinic on Wheels units were deployed in Liberty and the inner city while 21 field hospitals also remained operational during the Basant festivities.
Yesterday, Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Maryam Nawaz announced good news for Lahoris, extending Basant celebrations.
People in Lahore celebrated Basant till Monday, 5:00am.
She described the extension as a reward for the people of Lahore, who celebrated Basant with discipline and responsibility.
Lahore celebrated Basant after almost two decades on February 6th.
The festival was only allowed in Lahore due to safety concerns, however, people from other Punjab cities and even Karachi flew to Lahore to celebrate it.
Earlier, the Punjab government decided to lift a ban on the festival, though with strict regulations in place. The authorities also decided to limit the festivities to Lahore, and CM Maryam earlier said that Basant in Lahore was being organised as a pilot project so that “ we can see how effective our security protocols and SOPs”.
According to the Punjab government’s instructions, only cotton string is allowed to be sold for kite-flying during Basant, whereas the manufacturing of metallic string material and kites exceeding fixed sizes is strictly prohibited.
Also read: CM Maryam Nawaz extends Basant celebration timings
