Khosa wants to celebrate Basant with Nawaz

Governor says celebration projects 'softer' image of country, vows to persuade Sharif brothers of his plan.

LAHORE: Governor Latif Khosa expressed a strong wish on Wednesday that Basant be celebrated this year with the zeal and zest the traditional Lahore festival deserves. He said the celebration projected a ‘softer’ image of the country to the international community. The governor vowed to persuade the Sharif brothers of his plan.

The governor said that he would like to celebrate Basant with the Pakistan Muslim League leader Nawaz Sharif. However, he added that the committee established to determine the feasibility of Basant should ensure there would be no threat to citizen’s lives.

Governor Khosa was speaking with the media after inaugurating the Tulip Flower Show at the Royal Palm Golf and Country Club. He said such events also aided in promoting a softer side of the nation. He said to the Punjab chief minister that parks and greenery were essential for the youth as they were spaces for recreation. He said society needed to end violence and create a peaceful atmosphere.

The governor also urged students of universities, schools and colleges to plant trees and flowers so as to make the country beautiful.

Earlier, Governor Khosa met with some of the people injured in the Urdu Bazaar bomb blast who have been discharged from Mayo Hospital.

The governor said terrorism and extremism were condemned in Islam. Islam preaches the lesson of love, peace and harmony, he said. He said that the majority of Pakistanis led their lives according to the guidance from Allah and his last prophet (PBUH). He said Punjab was the land of saints who had “taught us about love and brotherhood”.

He said Pakistan had been created after many sacrifices and the faithful would eradicate terrorism and make Pakistan prosperous. The governor expressed his pleasure at meeting such brave and courageous people. He said the Governor’s House belonged to the public and he was thankful for the opportunity to serve the people.

The governor said that all political leaders, regardless of party affiliation, wanted that democratic governance continue. He said everyone had the right to have their own point of view and everyone had a right to disagree with another point of view. This, he said, was the beauty of democracy.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 10^th, 2011.