Punjab govt unveils strict SOPs as Basant festival’s returns after 25 years

Lahore (Web Desk): The Punjab government has decided to celebrate the Basant festival after a 25-year hiatus, with a focus on preserving the province's rich cultural heritage. Strict rules and regulations (SOPs) have been introduced to ensure safety and organization during the festivities. Punjab's Information Minister, Azma Bukhari, released details of these measures and described them as a reflection of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz's vision.

For the first time in history, technology has been used to make kite flying safer. According to Azma Bukhari, each kite, thread reel, and spool will have a special QR code attached to it. Through this initiative, the administration will have complete data on the vendors and buyers of kites and threads. The primary aim is to eliminate the sale of illegal and dangerous kite-flying threads.

To ensure the safety of human lives, the traffic police have already equipped 1 million motorcycles with free safety rods to protect citizens from the dangerous kite threads. The Information Minister also stated that district administration teams are actively monitoring the field and taking strict action against those violating the SOPs. Additionally, the government’s public awareness campaign is continuing.

For the convenience of citizens during the three-day Basant festival, the Punjab government has announced the provision of free electric buses, rickshaws, and taxis. These transportation services will be available to the public without any charge during the festival.

Azma Bukhari clarified in her statement that the full credit for the restoration of Basant, one of the most beautiful and traditional festivals, after 25 years goes to Maryam Nawaz. She urged citizens to celebrate the festival responsibly and adhere strictly to safety measures to prevent any untoward incidents.