Clampdown precedes Basant celebrations

LHC orders authorities to ensure precautionary measures

LAHORE:

Provincial authorities have clarified that the traditional Basant festival will be celebrated only in Lahore this year, as the Punjab government moves ahead with a tightly regulated three-day event amid heightened safety, legal and administrative preparations.

A spokesperson for the provincial administration said Basant celebrations scheduled for February 6, 7 and 8 are restricted to Lahore, stressing that kite flying and manufacturing remain banned in other districts of Punjab. The clarification comes as district administrations across the province intensify enforcement to prevent illegal kite flying ahead of the festival.

In Nankana Sahib, a meeting chaired by Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Tasleem Akhtar Rao reviewed enforcement measures under the revised kite-flying law. Senior officials from the police, district administration and other agencies attended the session. Rao reiterated that kite flying and manufacturing are prohibited in the district and warned that violations would result in strict punishments and fines under the new legislation. He said effective enforcement would be ensured to protect lives and property.

Meanwhile, hearing petitions related to Basant, Lahore High Court Justice Malik Muhammad Owais Khalid directed authorities to ensure full implementation of precautionary measures and summoned Lahore Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Ali Ijaz. Officials from the directorate general of public relations and school education department were also summoned to brief the court on awareness campaigns.

During the hearing, Home Special Secretary Fazalur Rehman submitted a compliance report, informing the court that a high-level committee overseeing Basant arrangements would meet on Tuesday and the progress would be shared in the next hearing. The court expressed satisfaction with the report while stressing that no accident should occur during the festival, calling public safety a core responsibility of the government.