LAHORE: For the first time, the activities and events to celebrate the Jashn-i-Baharan (Spring Festival) will be held across the city district instead of just one or two venues. The festival will include a 42km marathon from Minar-i-Pakistan till Liberty Chowk.

“We have decided to expand the venue range of the festival, titled “Chal Melay Nu Chaliay (Lets Go to the Fair) across the city district. Previously, this range was limited to a couple of places. It is being done in a bid to ensure active participation of more and more people in all segments of the festival starting from March 5 (tomorrow) to continue till March 12,” said Commissioner Muhammad Ali Randhawa at a press conference on Friday.

He was flanked by Parks and Horticulture Authority DG Zeeshan Javaid and other senior officials concerned.

The commissioner said a number of the festival’s events were being sponsored by various private and public sector organisations, groups and companies.

Talking about core events of the festival, the commissioner revealed that a 42km long marathon would be held from Minar-i-Pakistan to Liberty. Musical concerts will be held daily in the city stadiums from 5th to 12th March. Participation and entry of citizens to all programmes would be free.

Festival starting tomorrow will be held at venues across the city until 12th

Mr Randhawa said the Department of Information and Culture, district administration, Walled City of Lahore Authority, LDA, Punjab Sports Board and Auqaf are working together.

“Jashn-e-Baharan 2023 events will be held at Lahore Expo centre, Canal Road, Greater Iqbal Park, Jilani Park, National History Museum, Hockey Stadium, Shahi Fort, Open Air Theatre, Stadiums and Hazuri Bagh. The opening ceremony of Jashn-e-Baharan will be held on March 5 at Jilani Park,” he said and added that the festival would have cultural, handicraft and food stalls too.

Lamps would be lit on the major roads and along Lahore Canal. Similarly, Punjabi folk music performances, circus and digital events related to the establishment of Pakistan would be organised.

The commissioner said that the other events included storytelling, a Sufi festival, light and sound show, sports festival, mural painting art competition, laser light show, sound show, cycle race, kabbadi and other colorful events.

The Food and Cultural Mela will be held at Jilani Park from March 5 to March 12. Canal Mela will be held on Main Boulevard, Gulberg, Jail Road, Mall Road and Canal Road in the evening time.

“Folk performances of Punjabi culture will be organised at the Jilani Park, Greater Iqbal Park, major highways and entertainment venues. On March 6, there will be a mural painting competition between the students of Lahore’s colleges and universities at Jilani Park. Sports Mela will be held at Sports Board Hockey Stadium from 5th to 12th March. On March 11 and 12, the Sufi Musical Festival will be held at the National Hockey Stadium. From March 5 to 12, storytelling and light and sound events will be held at Shahi Qila. Marathon and cycling events will be held at Liberty Gulberg on March 12,” he added.

LDA: The Lahore Development Authority (LDA) approved a proposal seeking approval to change the land use for various projects of public interest, including educational institutes, indoor games, rehabilitation centres, and other activities.

The decision was made in a meeting of the planning & design committee presided over by LDA DG Amir Ahmad Khan.

The participants, during the meeting, reviewed various applications related to commercial activities. They examined the cases presented before the committee.

“The citizens and entrepreneurs should be facilitated under ‘Ease of Doing Business’. The rules and regulations of the LDA should be strictly implemented in every case,” he said, adding that the collection of commercialisation fee and implementation of the laws should be ensured in every case.

Published in Dawn, March 4th, 2023