After Lahore the Basant festival is also under way from today in Quetta the capital of Balochistan with traditional enthusiasm and spirit.
The district administration and police has issued guidelines to the citizens to celebrate the Basant in a safe and peaceful way and strictly not to indulge in aerial firing.
From February 13 to 15 various events will be organised at different areas of Quetta which will include kite flying, music and local cultural activity.
There has been a visible upsurge of sale of kites, strings and Basant related items across the city leading to unusual hustle and bustle at the markets. Shopkeepers say they are selling a lot of kites in the last few days and the youth seem more excited.
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 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.
The colorful Basant festival in Lahore had 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.
Also read: Basant festival concludes, Lahoris enjoyed kite flying for three days
