LAHORE, Feb 13: The Punjab government has decided to continue the ban on Basant and kite flying all over the province.

A spokesman for the provincial government said on Sunday that the decision had been taken in the largest interest of people and to protect their lives.

He said the decision was taken on the recommendations of a committee constituted by the chief minister to consider possibilities of allowing observance of the spring festival.

He said the kite flying on the occasion of Basant could not be allowed because the sport had already taken lives of hundreds of people besides injuring scores of others.