Lahore – the culture capital of Pakistan – was overwhelmed by the colours of Basant with kites-dotted sky, in-chorus of Bo-kata yellings, blaring music, rooftop decorations, wayward dance moves and loads of mouth-watering dishes, reported 24NewsHD TV channe.
The historic Basant Festival, a centuries-old tradition renowned for its vibrant display of colours, celebration of spring, and exhilarating kite-flying, officially made its triumphant return to Lahore.
After 25 years’ gap, what claimed to be the biggest cultural celebration of the current century was set into motion with the announcement of three-day Basant Festival beginning Friday (today).
The enthusiasm of kite-flyers – young, old, men and women – was sky high with Bhangra and hullabaloo on almost every other rooftop of the provincial capital.
The Punjab government of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz was the driving engine behind the roars of the Basant, embellishing the city like a bride with kite billboards installed on major arteries and crossing like Liberty Chowk.
The supply of kites and string was exhausted by the flood of purchase orders.
In her message on social media, CM Maryam Nawaz cautioned the public that they should cherish the Basant Festival but with responsibility.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz joined in the festivities, visiting Liberty Chowk and Mochi Gate, where she mingled with residents and addressed safety concerns. During her visit, she explained that the use of safety rods for motorcycles during Basant would be enforced to protect the public, though motorcycles would not be banned.
The Kite Flying Association informed that a million kites were sold in Lahore in just one day (Wednesday), with more than 20,000 spools of string (pinna) changing hands.
Despite prices going through the roof, kite sales remained strong, with a one-and-a-half tawa kite selling for Rs700, a one tawa kite for Rs400, and a pauna tawa kite for Rs300. Two-piece spools of string were priced between Rs12,000 and Rs15,000, depending on the length and quality.
The Association noted that trade volumes grew daily, reaching Rs160 million on the first day, Rs180 million on the second, and Rs200 million on the third, before soaring to Rs680 million on the fourth day, pushing cumulative sales beyond Rs1.5 billion by day five.
Key commercial hubs in Lahore, including Mochi Gate, Islampura and Samanabad have been bustling with Basant activity, while new entrants like Liberty Chowk have become central points of celebration.
For majority of Lahorites, the return of Basant is not just about kites and string, rather it’s a celebration of community, culture and the promise of a more vibrant public life.
Commissioner visits Walled City to review safety measures
Commissioner Lahore Maryam Khan visited Walled City on Friday morning to review security and cleanliness measures in the City.
Deputy Commissioner Lahore Capt Ali Ijaz and other relevant high-ranking officials were also accompanied her.
The Commissioner visited Mochi Gate and Shalimar areas of Lahore to review sanitation arrangements and public awareness efforts.
Speaking on the occasion, Maryam Khan said awareness campaigns about Basant laws and safety guidelines were underway across Lahore.
She said camps set up by the health department, Rescue 1122, Lahore Waste Management Company, and other departments were guiding citizens.
She said a comprehensive cleanliness operation was being carried out in the Walled City and along Circular Road, while strict safety measures were being enforced.
The Commissioner advised citizens to follow SOPs for Basant Festival and also appealed to the parents to advise their children in this regard.
The Commissioner said buying and selling of Basant-related items would be allowed only until Feb 8, adding that all sale points were being monitored.
Commissioner Maryam Khan said that local administration adopted zero tolerance policy against violators of SOPs. He said anyone who found involved in violation of SOPs will be dealt with iron hands.
She warned that the use of metal and nylon strings was strictly banned and violators would face legal action.
Quick response teams comprising officials from multiple departments have been deployed across the city, she added.
193 cases filed, 191 arrested
As many as 193 cases were registered, and 191 people were taken into custody for violation of the anti-kite-flying act in Lahore during the last twenty-four hours.
A spokesman of the Punjab police said 22,755 kites and 462 reels of chemical string were recovered from kite-flyers.
The spokesman further revealed that 4496 persons were arrested during the current year from Lahore for selling chemical string and kites, and police recovered 3,71,000 kites and 8648 reels from their possession.
Inspector-General of Police Rao Abdul Kareem directed all regional police officers (RPOs) and district police officers (DPOs) to ensure implementation of SOPs.
He further directed to adopt zero tolerance policy against manufacturers and sellers of kites.
IGP Rao Abdul Kareem said that kite-flying is allowed only for the three days of Basant, and all the people are bound to purchase kite-flying material from the registered kite-sellers.
He said that police will conduct monitoring with the help of drones, CCTV cameras, and telescopes.
IGP said that nobody will be allowed to participate in aerial firing, display of weapons, valgur, and other anti-social activities.