Punjab govt lifts 12-year-old ban on celebrating Basant, festival will be held in February
115
The Punjab government on Tuesday announced its decision to lift the 12-year-old ban imposed on celebrating Basant saying the festival — which marks the arrival of Spring season — will be celebrated in the second week of February 2019.
Punjab Information and Culture Minister Fayyazul Hassan Chohan, while addressing a press conference in Lahore, announced the Punjab government's decision to celebrate the Basant festival — the traditional kite-flying festival of Lahore that was banned by the government in 2007 following increasing deaths in kite-flying related incidents.
Chohan said a committee comprising the Punjab law minister, the provincial chief secretary, and other administrative officials, will be formed to deliberate on the modalities about how the negative aspects of the festival can be avoided and overcome.
The provincial minister said the committee would give its recommendations within a week. "This time Lahore's population will surely celebrate Basant," Chohan added.
The Supreme Court in its order had clarified that there was no restriction on holding the Basant festival and that it should be celebrated while staying within the ambit of law, as well as the rules and regulations defined by the government, the minister said.
Chohan said that the citizens and the civil society have been demanding permission to hold Basant festival for quite some time following which Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar had sought recommendations about holding the Spring festival.
The chief minister has said that Basant was a cultural festival, "it has no relation to religion. It is for enjoyment," the provincial information minister said.
Read more
On DawnNews
Comments (115) Closed
Dec 18, 2018 07:33pm
Licence to kill people again
Recommend
0
Dec 18, 2018 07:50pm
Plz dont start it. It has more negative aspects than positive. E.g. noise pollution in the form of loud music, loud speakers, gun firing, and other things. On top of it innocent ppl death due to kite thread.
Recommend
0
Dec 18, 2018 07:53pm
I am amazed at PTI. Though we all love this festival but not at the cost of innocent lives.
Recommend
0
Dec 18, 2018 07:54pm
The earlier we understand our origins the better we understand ourselves we are denying our history and live on false assumptions
Recommend
0
Dec 18, 2018 07:57pm
Nice.....
Recommend
0
Dec 18, 2018 08:02pm
Congratulations! Change is here. BTW who will be responsible for kids and adults' death due to glass-coated strings, falling from roofs, kids hitting the vehicles etc.? It would be more appropriate to take one or two years first to educate kids (and adults too) about how to behave during such festivities.
Recommend
0
Dec 18, 2018 08:03pm
great decision.We should continue all our great festivals and bring back colour to the lives of Pakistan.
P.S: educating people is the best way to reduce mishaps
Recommend
0
Dec 18, 2018 08:06pm
These kind of small sensible changes will boost the government popularity.
Recommend
0
Dec 18, 2018 08:09pm
Welcome back, converts.
Recommend
0
Dec 18, 2018 08:11pm
No kite flying without safety, life is more important than the festival. Metal-flying-thread must also be classified as lethal weapon and the use of it as act of terror & massacre...
Recommend
0
Dec 18, 2018 08:11pm
Very good decision. Culture is very important in social system. I am and most of Pakistanis are happy with this decision.
Recommend
0
Dec 18, 2018 08:11pm
Very good . Lifting ban wil improve the social activities in punjab. Also good for businesses and lot of people will get sasonal employment in country
Recommend
0
Dec 18, 2018 08:15pm
great, i be coming to Pakistan then. :)
Recommend
0
Dec 18, 2018 08:23pm
Best new year gift for Zinda Dilane -Lahore!
Recommend
0
Dec 18, 2018 08:24pm
Enjoyment,,Celeberation,what else.
Recommend
0
Dec 18, 2018 08:31pm
Great decision
Recommend
0
Dec 18, 2018 08:33pm
Basant is festival of colours. People come from abroad to celebrate this festival. One night and other day people fly kites. Flying kites is not the only activity that people celebrate.special colour clothes are worn. Singing and dance activity also takes place. It is for the general public not to use chemical thread in flying kites. Celebration of Basant festival is restored after many years. It is our duty to celebrate it within the permitted parameters.
Recommend
0
Dec 18, 2018 08:33pm
Great news
Recommend
0
Dec 18, 2018 08:36pm
An aredent lover of kites (live in old neighbourhood of lahore so you cannot question my love for kites) yet I think we should celebrate it if it is safe. We cannot let people die just for the sake of our joy. While i am typing Still some bad memories are coming to my mind
Recommend
0
Dec 18, 2018 08:37pm
Finally!!
Recommend
0
Dec 18, 2018 08:37pm
Common sense has prevailed.
Recommend
0
Dec 18, 2018 08:41pm
Culture always win.
Recommend
0
Dec 18, 2018 08:42pm
Congratulations Lahore. Its good step towards promote culture and heritage, which will bring tourism. But this time Government should make by laws, how to fly kites. Set time and place for the activity.
Recommend
0
Dec 18, 2018 08:44pm
Excellent decision and thank heavens that Shahbaz tenure is over . There should be no restrictions on cultural activities and celebrations. Finally, the people of Lahore have regained their right to celebrate basant.
Recommend
0
Dec 18, 2018 08:44pm
Another wrong decision by PTI
Recommend
0
Dec 18, 2018 08:47pm
Brilliant. Used to be some of the best fun days back in the day. Great people of Lahore, please don't use chemical wires for kite flying, have safety stands infront of bikes for couple of days and have fun.
Recommend
0
Dec 18, 2018 08:50pm
Take a U-Turn. Keep the ban; it will save scores of innocent lives.
Recommend
0
Dec 18, 2018 08:55pm
back to the square. Ultimate disgusting. person allowing this must be held responsible for any death or injury because of killer thread "door". Unbelievable
Recommend
0
Dec 18, 2018 08:59pm
Who would be responsible for the deaths of ordinary people.
Recommend
0
Dec 18, 2018 09:05pm
Good decision.
Recommend
0
Dec 18, 2018 09:07pm
No option but to Indianise (civilize).
Recommend
0
Dec 18, 2018 09:07pm
First sign towards peace and prosperity.
Recommend
0
Dec 18, 2018 09:13pm
jiye buzdar, first good thing in 100 days
Recommend
0
Dec 18, 2018 09:14pm
Surprised to note that kite flying is banned in a country!!!
Recommend
0
Dec 18, 2018 09:15pm
Good decision. All punjabis should welcome it.
Recommend
0
Dec 18, 2018 09:20pm
You need money ... So all is well now
Recommend
0
Dec 18, 2018 09:21pm
After 12yrs? And you lecture India.
Recommend
0
Dec 18, 2018 09:23pm
great "decision" !
Who will be paying wapda for millions in losses due to use of wires, and who will compensate injuries to people due to this mania?
Recommend
0
Dec 18, 2018 09:24pm
Minister will be moving around in his luxury vehicles, but common people like me who walk or use two wheelers will be at an unnecessary risk due to your decisions. And even if you have to allow such festivals then organize them in enclosed environment and have strict control on type of material used for making strings. If left unchecked then glass lazed strings will be roaming in our skies putting us all at risk of injury. Lets hope someone talks some sense into them before the proposed date of festival.
Recommend
0
Dec 18, 2018 09:25pm
Along with basant they should also celebrate diwali, dushera, holi and other festivals. There is no harm in fun.
Recommend
0
Dec 18, 2018 09:32pm
Excellent step. Let’s not allow our cultural heritage to become extinct.
Recommend
0
Dec 18, 2018 09:38pm
I hope no one dies.... really missed bassant but dont want to celebrate at the expense of anyone's loss, even a drop of blood.
Recommend
0
Dec 18, 2018 09:41pm
Celebrate cultural ties.
Recommend
0
Dec 18, 2018 09:44pm
Simple solution, have designated spaces for kite flying, ban sharp threads.
Recommend
0
Dec 18, 2018 09:45pm
Basant means Holi festival of Hindus and Sikhs?
Recommend
0
Dec 18, 2018 09:45pm
It is a good move to start celebrating the punjab and local desi culture festivals. People of punjab should start celebrating the forgotten all festivals like Lohri and other local festivals, Bhangra folk dances, freedom to other religious festivals.
Recommend
0
Dec 18, 2018 09:46pm
Inform and educate people of exactly what and how things will happen that day. Lets not forget that we have tens of overhead bridges now literally at the same level as kites. Unless people choose safe methods themselves there's very little any policy can achieve in the face of suboptimal policing/ punishments.
I want to see an exact plan before i let my family members go out on a motorcycle.
Recommend
0
Dec 18, 2018 09:47pm
The spring season has reduced to 15 days due to climate change. The colours of bansant festival in Lahore are not colourful anymore.
Recommend
0
Dec 18, 2018 09:49pm
"Bhallay Bhallay". Excellent decision. This will greatly help attract tourists from around the world, helping our economy. The people are very happy and will be responsible when flying kites.
Recommend
0
Dec 18, 2018 09:53pm
That's wonderful, I will be coming back to PK in Feb for sure :)
Recommend
0
Dec 18, 2018 09:54pm
Somewhere there is still wisdom left in Pakistan.
Recommend
0
Dec 18, 2018 09:57pm
Excellent news , I hope this turns out to be a good one. I hope everyone complies with the new rules.
My suggestion; it should only be allowed in public grounds and parks and not on the roof tops.
Every city needs festivals of some kind in Pakistan specially cities like Peshawar, Quetta, Karachi, Faisalabad. Kids need to have good memories when they grow old.
Recommend
0
Dec 18, 2018 10:00pm
Basant will cause deaths. I don’t think so people are responsible enough to celebrate it responsibly. They will use the copper strings which have killed so many children in LAHORE and caused havoc to electricity cables.
Recommend
0
Dec 18, 2018 10:27pm
The same PTI was opposing it during PMLN's time.
Recommend
0
Dec 18, 2018 10:29pm
This time surely a few children will die from those razor sharp strings or falling off a roof. Naya Pakistan needs to make sensible decisions not popular ones
Recommend
0
Dec 18, 2018 10:39pm
How many more children have to die falling off roofs, or getting severely injured while running blindly into the road after a petty kite, not to mention the deadly glass string that is used to fly these kites. Has life become so cheap in Pakistan? Very stupid decision.
Recommend
0
Dec 18, 2018 10:40pm
What a Shame? Innocent Will die plus damage to electrical infrastructure.
Recommend
0
Dec 18, 2018 10:40pm
But need to address issues of chemical doors.
Recommend
0
Dec 18, 2018 10:42pm
Death of young people because of Basant kites doesn't count in Naya Pakistan...
Recommend
0
Dec 18, 2018 10:45pm
Good news
Recommend
0
Dec 18, 2018 10:58pm
???????
Recommend
0
Dec 18, 2018 11:04pm
Wrong decision ....... Basant brings lots of social issues, vulgarity and life threats. This Government has gone insane
Recommend
0
Dec 18, 2018 11:15pm
This is a good step. There should be more events like this and Pakistanis should find other reasons to celebrate too. Celebrations like this help increase economic activity because people spend the money in the country instead of in other countries.
The basant will help the kite vendors and if Pak organizes other events like mothers day, it will help the flower and sweet shop vendors. Pak can also come with take your father to dinner day, which will help the restaurant businesses. Also, a day to go to the theme Parks can be celebrated as it will help the theme Parks. A day to celebrate Zoos will help all the Zoos etc. If Pak keep celebrating one event a month you will see how much it will help Pak economically that is why in the West you will see all these special days i.e. Valentine day, Mothers day, Fathers day, Thanksgiving day, Veterans day etc are celebrated.
Recommend
0
Dec 18, 2018 11:18pm
Even if it would have been religious festival, Basant promotes love and peace.
Recommend
0
Dec 18, 2018 11:30pm
enjoy the fruits of hindu tradition....happy basant
Recommend
0
Dec 18, 2018 11:43pm
Love it, I’d fly back for this
Recommend
0
Dec 18, 2018 11:46pm
Thank you PTI, you just created millions of jobs, you just added millions in revenue, you just increased your tax collection, above all, you just made millions of Pakistanis happy. Oh and one more thing, you just added millions to the tourism, thousands will be headed to Pakistan, like they used to from all over the world. I BO CATA.
Recommend
0
Dec 18, 2018 11:49pm
Crazy why govt want people to died? If people do in open field ok but in city using wires this is very dangerous
Recommend
0
Dec 19, 2018 12:00am
Good common sense move, why deprive citizens of enjoyment and employment.Basant is part of our culture, especially for Lahore. There are dangers in any activity, the idea is to discourage certain behaviors that may hurt public, banning the activity is not a solution. Well done whoever is responsible for this.
Recommend
0
Dec 19, 2018 12:19am
Good news for Lahorians!
Recommend
0
Dec 19, 2018 12:33am
Dump... publicize that people shouldn't fly on roof tops etc... but banning was a knee jerk action. Because of accidents on certain highway/turn cars will not be banned...
Recommend
0
Dec 19, 2018 01:06am
Extremely good move ....no ban on sports....plz ban chemical strings and also baning kids ridding motorbikes on Basant day...... previous thugs instead of preventing causes of injures banned this great festival all together
Recommend
0
Dec 19, 2018 01:18am
PTI got no mandate from Lahore. May be lifting the ban on basant will get them some votes.
Recommend
0
Dec 19, 2018 01:22am
Wow that is wrong
Recommend
0
Dec 19, 2018 01:25am
Bad decision!
Recommend
0
Dec 19, 2018 01:47am
Shouldn’t be at the cost of people lives.
Recommend
0
Dec 19, 2018 02:04am
Achievement of PTI govt brining hazard back into the life of the city naya Pakistan
Recommend
0
Dec 19, 2018 02:34am
So happy to know Basant is back. Looks like sanity is returning back to Pakistan.
Another defeat for uneducated mullas. Let us hope Mulana Fazal ur Rehman is
not going to march on the streets. We missed Basant for 12 years. It has been a
long time. Basant day is always so glamorous.
If anyone has to say Bo Kata, please say it sound and clear. everyone should know
you are happy, at least on the day of Basant
We welcome Imran Khan's government ad hope things will keep on moving in the right
direction. It is about time.
Recommend
0
Dec 19, 2018 02:55am
Ban dangerous thread and wires
Recommend
0
Dec 19, 2018 03:02am
Riyasat Madina? Hopefully Basant won’t bring all mess that Lahoris previously celebrated.
Recommend
0
Dec 19, 2018 03:02am
All these dressings is all this govt can come up with and incessant blame game.
How will tearing down walls of the govt house and allowing basant will get us out of economic crisis?
They are in govt and it is their job to give us sustainable solutions. Jailing fraudsters and bringing back some money is not sustainable.
Recommend
0
Dec 19, 2018 03:31am
Great news and even greater initiative
Recommend
0
Dec 19, 2018 04:10am
Experience has no short cut. PTI should understand this. If Punjab Govt. wants to allow kite flying, there should be a legislation to declare throat cutting threads used in kite flying illegal and serious punishment should be awarded for the violators. In the absence of that legislation punjb govt should be held responsible if there is any incident caused by kite flying the victim's family should sue the Punjab govt.,and Mr Chohan should be prepared for the outcome.
Recommend
0
Dec 19, 2018 04:19am
Please make sure that children donit loose their limbs or necks due to this enjoyment
Recommend
0
Dec 19, 2018 05:10am
Will the Punjab Government regulate dangerous kite flying and use of killer twine etc? Will they also take responsibility in case of any death due to Basant activities in Lahore? I don't think this is a good idea. This ban was entirely beneficial for public safety.
Recommend
0
Dec 19, 2018 05:13am
First appreciable decision by Buzdar government of Naya Punjab ... finally.
Recommend
0
Dec 19, 2018 05:24am
Disaster is waiting for Lahories. More motorcycle accidents and more children will suffer!
Recommend
0
Dec 19, 2018 05:35am
Very good decision. I remember it was ban due to violence, lack of security, loss of life and Bassant is a Hindu festivity. Later Bassant was renamed as " Jashn-i- Mossammay Baharaan ". I am glad it is called Bassant again and it will be celebrated in the traditional style all over Pakistan. I am sure It is also a good economy builder. I hope Pakistan enjoys it. In particular, " Zinda Dilan-i-Lahore ".
Recommend
0
Dec 19, 2018 05:36am
Why to start again killing children felling off houses ? make some sensible decisions please.
Recommend
0
Dec 19, 2018 06:16am
Welcome decision. Congrats from India.
Recommend
0
Dec 19, 2018 06:20am
Good! Don’t let the stupidity of a few spoil the fun for many.
Recommend
0
Dec 19, 2018 06:39am
Bad decision. We are not Basant-Ready yet because we are not aware of our responsibilities towards other fellow citizens. As long as you don't educate your people about their civic rights and responsibilities and have fool-proof mechanisms in place to deal with offenders and violators of law, you'll have problems celebrating festivals like Basant. I've lived and grown up in Lahore and have seen this festival of Basant turn ugly with all the accidents and loss of life that happens during this festival. We are still not ready to celebrate this festival because of lack of knowledge of our civic duties. Please educate us first from ground-up, early school level and then enforce laws and only then remove the ban on cultural events like Basant!
Recommend
0
Dec 19, 2018 07:07am
Great news.
Always felt thst the ban was unnecessary; should enforce laws that ensure safety (perhaps specified Zones where kite flying is allowed, or ban motorcycles in certain parts during basant), but banning the event was a complete loss for the population. Happy to know my children will enjoy this great festival.
Recommend
0
Dec 19, 2018 07:10am
Innocent people dying because of Basant will be the responsibility of this minister
Recommend
0
Dec 19, 2018 07:19am
No good, waste of money. The amount to be spent during the so called festival is better to be diverted to Dam Fund. Please work for a better future instead of cosmetic happiness at this point in time.
Recommend
0
Dec 19, 2018 07:23am
Basant. A Hindu festival now Muslims celebrate
Recommend
0
Dec 19, 2018 07:36am
Any festival depends on the outcome of it behind which rest the concept of life probably this they think is the binding force after all it's nationalism which is their mechanism and vision.
Recommend
0
Dec 19, 2018 07:38am
No matter how much we try to forget and delete our history prior to Partition ... it still lingers in our memory. !!??!!!!
We have to study our history and traditions with an open and unbiased attitude if we are to progress and keep a humane temperament...
we cannot just ignore the festivals and other syncreatic symbols that existed and were a
part of our traditions prior to the Partition...
Recommend
0
Dec 19, 2018 07:42am
Just make sure the Chemical Thread (dour) is not used and strict ban on sale and purchase of it.
Recommend
0
Dec 19, 2018 08:02am
Basant was one of the main festivals that defined Punjab, especially Lahore, and it was foolish and inept of the government to ban it. Just because there are unpleasant side effects you do not ban an event that is so popular and is also good for business. Hundreds of people were making a living supplying kites. Basant is colorful and lots of fun. It is a tradition going back hundreds of years. The government is there to serve; it is their jobs to find ways to fix things that have stopped working well. That's what they are paid to do, otherwise send them home.
Recommend
0
Dec 19, 2018 08:07am
Get ready for throat cutting wires. A really bad decision.
Recommend
0
Dec 19, 2018 08:21am
Who will be responsible of innocent deaths???? If you want to celebrate it than provide a special grounds or space for it where other people life don't get disturb or in danger.
Recommend
0
Dec 19, 2018 08:37am
in my humble opinion, with right levels of control, it can be celebrated peacefully. Give a holiday, subsidize the motorcycle protection tool, ban use of metallic wires for kite flying/ unsafe bldgs/ public awareness/ loud music/ indecent practices. Its an awesome tourist magnet, enables money circulation, supports small enterprises, which can be used for good of the country. After all poor people make kites, not coke/pepsi/ multi million dollar companies. All associated risks can be controlled, if the will is there!
Recommend
0
Dec 19, 2018 08:51am
Out of sense our govt this will take dozens of innocents life take my word and in march see these word and say was I right or wrong
Recommend
0
Dec 19, 2018 09:07am
Ban the dangerous thread to fly the kite and no incident. Simple thread only can be used to fly the kite on Basant.
Recommend
0
Dec 19, 2018 09:43am
Why PTI regime interested to start killing of innocent by this festival?
Recommend
0
Dec 19, 2018 10:25am
bad bad idea PTI !
Recommend
0
Dec 19, 2018 10:52am
If government has decided to lift ban on Basant, it should make sure that areas for basant festival are already defined and these areas should be away from residential areas.
Recommend
0
Dec 19, 2018 11:24am
Lahore is cultural centre and heart of Punjab people have right to celebrate Basant particularly its citizens'.Before partition after harvest season people enjoyed entertained themselves after copmpleting the seasonal work.Carvinals or melas, (called Wasakhi in Sindh) were held in Sindh and Punjab and mem,women n.children enjoyed n relaxed.So let the youth have opportunty for having fun n enjoy Basant.
Recommend
0
Dec 19, 2018 12:46pm
@Abdullah, what about people who don't while driving? Let's van driving!
Recommend
0
Dec 19, 2018 01:03pm
this is one of the worst absolutely insane sickening decisions that this government can take
even a single death will be on the shoulders of these people and they will be answerable to our creator!!!
Recommend
0
Dec 19, 2018 01:05pm
One can't believe that even celebrating a festival can be banned and unbanned by any Govt.
Recommend
0
Dec 19, 2018 02:26pm
@Mark, - Naya Pakistan
Recommend
0
Dec 19, 2018 06:53pm
Good Decision in my opinion, but safety should be their main priority. Pakistani Government probably took this step because it will bring revenue to the country as people will come from all over the world. But they must avoid thick thread and treat this festival as a sport and enjoy and avoid Gun firing and loud music as well and stay within the line if they want to continue with this occasion.
Recommend
0
Dec 20, 2018 03:00am
Finally, here it comes. Lahore has missed Basant so much that this would really boost up Lahoris and provide them with an event that they celebrated the most. Good job Punjab government.
Recommend
0
