Basant festival revived after 25 years on Nawaz Sharif's orders: Marriyum
Pakistan
Marriyum Aurangzeb visited Lahore’s Mochi Gate in connection with the Basant festival. She interacted with shopkeepers and kite enthusiasts who had come to purchase kites and kite strings,
LAHORE (Dunya News) - Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb on Wednesday said that Basant festival has been revived after 25 years on the orders of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) president Nawaz Sharif.
Marriyum Aurangzeb visited Lahore’s Mochi Gate in connection with the Basant festival. She interacted with shopkeepers and kite enthusiasts who had come to purchase kites and kite strings, and also watched a dhol (drum) performance.
Speaking to the media on the occasion, she said that Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has revived Punjab’s traditional sports and festivals and restored Basant after 25 years. She added that Mela Chiraghan and the Horse and Cattle Show will also be revived.
The senior provincial minister said that Mian Nawaz Sharif is very pleased with the restoration of Basant festival. She said that it was his directive to take further steps for public recreation. She said Basant will not only be celebrated in Lahore but also in Gujranwala, Faisalabad, and other cities.
Maryam Aurangzeb said that due to the principles of supply and demand, an increase in kite prices has been observed in Lahore. She said she has asked shopkeepers to provide kites to the people at affordable prices, and has also instructed the deputy commissioner and commissioner to ensure the public is given kites at lower rates.
She urged citizens to celebrate Basant in a safe manner, advising motorcyclists not to go out during the three days of kite flying festival without installing protective rods. She said 500 checkpoints will be set up in Lahore and action will be taken against violations of the law.
The senior provincial minister said that Basant will be celebrated on February 6, 7, and 8. Protective rods will be mandatory on motorcycles during the festival days, and free transport will also be available throughout the three days of kite flying.
She further said that electric buses, metro buses, the Orange Line train, and rickshaws operated by online transport companies will be available free of charge for citizens.
