US, UK envoys join Basant celebrations in Lahore

Members of US and UK missions participated in kite flying and expressed enjoyment of celebrations

US and UK envoys in Pakistan joined Basant celebrations in Lahore with official delegations, as the traditional spring festival attracts local and international participants.

After nearly two decades, Basant returned to Lahore this week, cautiously and conditionally. It is a good feeling to have a spring festival back, even in a limited form. Basant is tied to the culture, tradition, history and soul of Lahore, where it has long been celebrated

The US delegation, led by Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) at the US Embassy in Islamabad Natalie Baker, arrived in Lahore to take part in the festivities. The group included US Consul General in Lahore Stetson Sanders and Deputy Assistant Secretary John Mark Pommersheim.

Read: Basant festival

UK Ambassador Jane Marriott also joined the Basant celebrations with an official delegation.

Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, Provincial Minister for Information and Culture Azma Zahid Bokhari, and Provincial Minister for Communications Malik Sohaib Ahmed Bharath received the US and UK delegations.

During the event, members of the US embassy participated in kite flying and expressed enjoyment of the celebrations, marking a cultural engagement between the two sides.