Over two million people avail free transport as Lahore celebrates Basant, says Marriyum Aurangzeb

Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb on Sunday said that more than two million people benefited from free travel facilities during the three-day Basant celebrations in Lahore, as the provincial government revived the cultural festival under a comprehensive safety and security framework.

Speaking at a press conference in Lahore, the minister said around 1.5 million vehicles entered the city during Basant, with visitors arriving not only from across Punjab but also from Karachi and other cities.

She said the large turnout reflected public enthusiasm and confidence in the arrangements made by the government.

Marriyum Aurangzeb said the decision to revive Basant was difficult and taken after careful planning and coordination.

She said the move fulfilled a desire expressed by PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif about a year and a half ago, which he had conveyed to Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz. She added that the chief minister personally took the initiative and ensured its implementation.

She said the festival was organised in collaboration with all relevant institutions, including the Home Department, police and health authorities, with a strong focus on safety, security and public health.

According to the minister, kite string makers and sellers across Punjab were registered, while imported materials were also brought under regulatory oversight.

Marriyum Aurangzeb said around 1.4 million motorcycles were fitted with safety rods, and facilities were provided to ensure compliance where rods were missing. She added that 6,000 Yango rickshaws were allowed to provide free transport across Punjab during the festival.

Areas previously identified as accident-prone were declared red zones, while hospitals and clinics remained on high alert to provide immediate medical assistance in case of emergencies.

She said Liberty Chowk has been declared a permanent cultural square for festivals, adding that Lahore was decorated under the supervision of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz with support from the Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA). Senior officials, including the Capital City Police Officer and deputy commissioners, remained active throughout the three days of celebrations.

“This is our culture and the true face of Pakistan that should be shown to the world,” the minister said, adding that Punjab and Lahore witnessed an atmosphere of celebration and positive energy. She paid tribute to the people of Pakistan for demonstrating how festivals can be celebrated safely.

Marriyum Aurangzeb said official events were cancelled following an incident in Islamabad, which she condemned, but noted that Basant celebrations continued organically across neighbourhoods and markets in Lahore.

She said the festival also reconnected youth with their cultural roots, shifting attention away from violence and negativity towards heritage, love and social harmony. “Pakistan deserves congratulations today,” she added.

The minister also highlighted improvements in air quality, saying extensive work had been carried out over the past year and a half to address smog. “Today, people flew kites in cleaner air,” she said.