Punjab govt decides not to celebrate Basant
Last updated on: 24 January,2019 01:39 pm
The provincial government has decided not to celebrate Basant.
LAHORE (Dunya News) – The Government of Punjab has decided not to celebrate Basant festival and a detailed reply in this regard will be submitted in the Lahore High Court on Thursday.
In a statement today (Wednesday), Senior Punjab Minister Aleem Khan hinted at preparations regarding precautionary measures in the future.
Aleem Khan said such festivals can only be celebrated if relevant departments fulfill their responsibilities.
He said strict action should be taken against use of metal string and violation of law. He maintained that if required, new laws can be implemented to celebrate the festival.
"Preparations of at least four to six months are required to hold the festival," he added.
Earlier in December last year, Punjab Information and Culture Minister Fayyazul Hasan Chohan stated that the provincial authorities had decided to celebrate Basant in Lahore in the second week of February.
The decision was challenged in the Lahore High Court in a plea contending it might cause loss of more innocent lives.
The ban on Basant was imposed by the Supreme Court in 2007 after deaths of several people due to kite strings.