LHC orders govt to form 'fair' Basant policy

LAHORE:

The Lahore High Court (LHC) has referred a petition seeking permission to celebrate the Basant festival across Punjab to the provincial Chief Secretary, directing the government to formulate a non-discriminatory policy on the festival.

Justice Owais Khalid announced the reserved verdict on the petition filed by citizen Ashba Kamran.

The court instructed the Chief Secretary to hear the petitioner and prepare a policy regarding Basant within 60 days, reporting back to the court accordingly.

During the hearing, the petitioner personally presented arguments, challenging the legal maintainability of the current approach to Basant celebrations.

Earlier, the Punjab Home Department had informed the court that, under existing regulations, Deputy Commissioners may allow Basant celebrations on designated days after obtaining government approval.

The report outlined that authorities must ensure public safety measures, register all kite sellers and manufacturers, and enforce a complete ban on metallic and other hazardous kite strings.