CM Maryam congratulates citizens, hails Punjab authorities on safe Basant celebrations in Lahore

Lahore (Web Desk): Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz extended her congratulations to the people of Lahore and praised provincial administration on the successful celebration of the Basant Festival, saying the city’s joy has returned. 
In a televised statement, she expressed her appreciation for the hard work of various departments that contributed to making the three-day event a success

“I want to commend all 15 departments of the Punjab government for organizing Basant with a coordinated, whole-of-government approach,” she said, singling out Punjab Inspector General Rao Abdul Kareem, Lahore Capital City Police Officer Bilal Kamyana, Lahore Deputy Inspector General Operations Faisal Kamran, and their teams for their dedication.

CM Maryam expressed satisfaction that citizens adhered to safety measures, including the installation of “safety rods” on motorcycles to protect riders from kite string injuries.

She described it as a positive shift, noting that Lahore residents were following the law and safety protocols, which she said gave her hope for a more disciplined and law-abiding society.

For the first time, she highlighted, the festival saw no fatalities caused by kite strings. “In the past, Basant was often called ‘Bloody Basant’ because so many people suffered throat injuries from kite strings. This year, thankfully, there were none,” she noted. She did mention, however, two cases of electrocution when children climbed power pylons to retrieve kites.

The chief minister also praised Lahore Commissioner Maryam Khan, along with deputy and assistant commissioners, for actively monitoring violations during the festival. She thanked the Punjab Information and Technology Board for using technology to make event management more efficient, and the traffic police for handling heavy traffic flows.

The Punjab Horticulture Authority was recognized for creating visually appealing arrangements, and the Lahore Electric Supply Company was credited for ensuring standby teams were ready to prevent accidents involving kites caught in power lines.

“This year, it is truly heartening to see positive headlines and a good image of Punjab,” CM Maryam said. She emphasized that the festival allowed younger generations to disconnect from screens and gadgets, engage with their heritage, and enjoy outdoor activities with their families.

She also noted that people from across Pakistan had come to Lahore to participate. “Punjab is healing, Pakistan is healing. Citizens set aside their differences and worries to celebrate together as one nation,” she said.

The Chief Minister also expressed deep sorrow over the suicide bombing in the Tarlai area of Islamabad, noting that the government had canceled official events in response to the tragedy. She offered her condolences to the families of the martyrs and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.