Lawyers' request to celebrate Basant on Lahore court rooftop rejected

Lahore (Web Desk): A court in Lahore has turned down an unusual request from a lawyer who wanted to celebrate the Basant festival on the rooftop of the Lahore Sessions Court.

Session Judge Tariq Khurshid Khawaja issued a written decision on Monday after advocate Yaseen Butt formally sought permission to organise the celebration at the court building. In the order, the judge pointed out that the court premises fall under a highly sensitive security category.

The court stressed that allowing a festival gathering inside the judicial complex could create serious security concerns. It also noted that the rooftop of the Sessions Court was neither constructed nor considered appropriate for hosting such an event. Taking into account the safety of judges, court employees, lawyers and members of the public visiting the court, the request was rejected.

Meanwhile, the Lahore district administration has granted approval for Basant festivities from February 6 to 8, permitting kite flying under strict safety rules. To control potential hazards linked to the festival, the city has been divided into Red, Yellow and Green zones.

Authorities have introduced detailed operating procedures ahead of the event. Only registered kites and cotton strings will be allowed, while strings coated with glass, chemicals or metal will remain strictly prohibited. Every kite and string spool will carry a QR code for tracking purposes. Officials plan to keep constant watch on kite-flying activities using drones, social media monitoring and special control rooms.

Law enforcement agencies have also warned of firm action against illegal rooftop activities during Basant, including aerial firing and drinking. Motorcyclists will be required to wear helmets and use safety wires, and entry into designated Red Zones will be restricted without proper safety arrangements.

Motorbikes will only be permitted in Red Zones if equipped with safety rods, and those riding without them will face a fine of Rs2,000. Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has earlier announced that one million motorcycles in Lahore would be fitted with safety rods free of charge.

Additional limits have been placed on kite-flying. Only nine-thread cotton “pinna” strings will be permitted, while the use of spools, nylon cords and metal wires is banned. Oversized kites and “gudda” are also not allowed. Kite flying outside the officially approved dates of February 6 to 8 will be treated as a legal offence, and parents or guardians will be held accountable if minors are involved in violations.