Basant celebrations continue across the provincial capital on Saturday as strong public participation was seen on the second day of the festival. Various city areas remain lively, with residents flying kites, hosting rooftop gatherings and taking part in seasonal celebrations throughout the day. Rooftops across Lahore blared music as thousands shouted in joy, sending kites soaring into the night sky, marking the return of the centuries-old spring festival of Basant to the city it calls home.
Former prime minister and PML-N president Nawaz Sharif on Saturday joined Basant celebrations in Lahore’s Walled City area, spending several hours with close friends and enjoying traditional kite-flying festivities from a rooftop gathering.
Nawaz Sharif visited a friend’s residence near Masti Gate in the Sultan Tipu Building area, located close to Pani Wala Talab in walled city Lahore. He remained in the area for around four hours as Basant activities continued across the old city neighbourhoods.
During the visit, the former premier sat on the rooftop and watched colourful kites soar across the skyline, a hallmark of the Basant festival. He also held a kite and string reel, appreciating the quality of the string and remarking that kite strings used to be much thicker in the past.
Several political and social figures were present at the gathering, including Sheikh Rohail Asghar, Khurram Butt and Ahsan Dar. A delegation of overseas Pakistanis also attended the celebration and met Nawaz Sharif during the rooftop event.
Guests at the Basant get-together were served a range of traditional dishes, including hareesa, mutton channay, egg halwa and mutton pulao, reflecting the customary food culture associated with festive occasions in the walled city.
US delegation arrives in Lahore to celebrate the festival inside Delhi Gate. The delegation included US Ambassador Natalie Baker, Consul General Lahore Stetson Sanders, Deputy Assistant Secretary John Mark Pomersheim. Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, Provincial Information and Culture Azma Bukhari and Provincial Minister for Communications Malik Sohaib Bharat welcomed the US delegation. Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb and Azma Bukhari briefed the US delegation on the Basant Festival celebrations. The US delegation praised the organization of Basant.
Kite flying competition held between Chairman Privileges Committee Samiullah Khan and Provincial Minister Rana Iskander Hayat. Provincial Finance Minister Mian Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman Sham was in Rana Iskander Hayat's team. Provincial Minister for Information and Culture Azma Bukhari was in Samiullah Khan's team.
Former Chief Minister Hamza Shahbaz reached Lohari Gate to celebrate Basant. Hamza Shahbaz Sharif flew a kite on the roof of former Deputy Mayor Chaudhry Nazafat in Lohari Gate. Hamza Shahbaz celebrated Basant with his family, former Deputy Mayor Chaudhry Nazafat also arranged food for Hamza Shahbaz and his family.
Five injured in incidents related to kite stealing, kite flying in Lahore
At least five people injured in various incidents of kite stealing and kite flying in Lahore city on Saturday, reported 24NewsHD TV Channel. Kite stealing youth got injured after being hit by vehicle in Sundar, Islamnagar. 26-year-old Qasim Ali has broken both legs, shifted to Jinnah Hospital for medical treatment.
A youth resident of Sabzazar, M Block, fell from the second floor of his house while flying a kite, police said.
13-year-old Ali Abdullah was shifted to Jinnah Hospital for medical treatment, his condition is satisfactory, police said. A child fell from the stairs while flying a kite in Satukatla, Wapda Town.
6-year-old Rehan injured in accident, shifted to Jinnah Hospital for medical treatment Citizen falls from roof of house while flying kite in Bagradian. 25-year-old Abdul Basit injured in accident and was shifted to Jinnah Hospital. A man falls from roof of house while flying kite in Hanjarwal Bazaar. 30-year-old Sami Saeed shifted to Jinnah Hospital for medical treatment, condition is satisfactory.