Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has announced a three-day Basant Festival in the province, emphasizing that every citizen has the right to celebrate freely in Punjab.
She stated that Punjab belongs to all its people, regardless of religion, and everyone is entitled to observe their cultural and religious festivals, including Eid, Holi, Christmas, Ramadan, and others.
The announcement was made during a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, where important decisions related to the Basant Festival were finalized. Addressing participants, she said her mission was to bring happiness back into the lives of Punjab’s people, noting that joy and recreation had long been replaced by tension and unrest. She added that despite being known for warmth and hospitality, the people of Punjab had been deprived of cultural celebrations.
Maryam Nawaz highlighted that after three decades, the Horse and Cattle Show was successfully revived and would be held again this year. She reiterated that celebrating festivals is a fundamental right of all residents of Punjab.
She explained that Basant, a festival marking the arrival of spring, has a history spanning nearly 800 years and is deeply rooted in Punjab’s cultural heritage, which is admired worldwide. For the first time, a fully government-organized Basant Festival will be held on February 6, 7, and 8. She acknowledged that past safety incidents had unfairly overshadowed the festival’s cultural value.
To address safety concerns, she said a detailed security plan had been devised, dividing Lahore into red, yellow, and green zones. As part of safety measures, one million motorcycles in Lahore are being fitted with free safety rods.
The chief minister revealed that over 2,150 manufacturers, traders, and stakeholders have been registered for Basant. Prior to the festival, more than 600 cases related to illegal kite flying were registered, 641 individuals were arrested, and over 27,000 illegal kites were confiscated. Additionally, more than 10,000 surety bonds were obtained.
She stressed that the safety plan aims to protect citizens, not penalize them. Kite reels (charkhi) will be banned, and only nine-thread cotton string will be permitted, while nylon or metallic strings will remain strictly prohibited. Oversized kites and guddas will also not be allowed.
Violators using banned string could face up to five years in prison and fines of up to Rs5 million. Kite flying outside the designated dates will also lead to legal action, with parents or guardians held accountable for violations by minors.
Motorcycles in red zones must be fitted with safety rods, or riders will face fines. Incentives will be offered for reporting illegal kite flying. Only 35-inch kites and 40-inch guddas will be allowed during the festival.
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A comprehensive traffic and transport plan has also been finalized, including free travel on 500 buses, Orange Line, Metro Bus, electric buses, and feeder services. Additionally, 6,000 rickshaws will provide 60,000 free rides across 24 routes, while over 40,000 police personnel and sanitation workers will be deployed to ensure smooth and safe celebrations.
