Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Monday praised authorities for organising a “safe Basant” festival in Lahore over the weekend. She expressed gratitude to government departments, police, and officials for ensuring the festival’s smooth and secure execution. The CM highlighted that citizens also followed safety protocols, including installing “safety rods” on motorcycles to prevent injuries from kite strings.
CM Maryam lauded Punjab Inspector General Rao Abdul Kareem, Lahore Capital City Police Officer Bilal Kamyana, Deputy Inspector General Operations Faisal Kamran, and their teams for their efforts. She also praised Lahore Commissioner Maryam Khan and deputy and assistant commissioners for real-time monitoring of violations during the festival. Additionally, she thanked the Punjab Information and Technology Board for leveraging technology to help manage the celebrations efficiently.
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The chief minister expressed satisfaction that the festival recorded no deaths from kite string injuries, calling it a major improvement compared to past “Bloody Basant” events. She acknowledged two electrocutions involving children climbing pylons to retrieve kites but said overall safety measures significantly reduced risks. Traffic police and the Lahore Electric Supply Company were credited for managing heavy traffic and preventing accidents.
CM Maryam also highlighted the cultural and social significance of the festival, saying it allowed Gen Z and families to connect with Punjab’s history and heritage. She noted that people from across Pakistan came to Lahore to participate, creating a sense of national unity. “Punjab is healing, Pakistan is healing,” she said, praising citizens for putting aside differences to celebrate together.
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Despite the positive remarks, the Punjab home department reported 118 Basant-related accidents, including six casualties, mostly from falls while catching kites. A young journalist tragically died after falling from a rooftop on Sunday. CM Maryam emphasized that the overall success of the festival marked a positive shift toward law-abiding and disciplined celebrations.