SAMIULLAH RANDHAWA
The Lahorites saw a ray of hope after the news that the Punjab government is likely to lift ban on Basant.
This hope was brought after a media talk of Punjab Education Minister Rana Mashhood Khan, in which he said that the people of Lahore would celebrate Basant in coming spring season. However, this has not been confirmed by any authority either the government has not decided to lift a decade’s old ban on Basant.
Basant, a hallmark traditional festivity of Lahore, provided an opportunity of entertainment to millions. It was also considered as an opportunity for the thousands of people to earn their livelihood after being employed for making kites in the province.
Moreover, Basant also used to bring in huge profits in tourism and entertainment. This festival became controversial with the passage of time as it caused many deaths and injuries. The one of the main reason of deaths was many kite lovers started using sharp string which became a life risk for people, especially for bikers.
After the reports of deaths in various parts of Punjab, particularly in Lahore, the Supreme Court (SC) in 2005 decided to ban the spring celebrations in a suo-moto action. Despite the SC orders, Lahorites kept celebrating the festival, which resulted in more deaths.
The kite flying was banned in the province after Punjab Prohibition of Kite Flying Amendment Bill was passed in 2009.
Last year, All Pakistan Kite Association (APKFA) and Paper Association appealed to the Punjab chief minister to revive Basant as it was providing livelihood to more than 300,000 people in the province.
This year, on August 17, the CM constituted a ten-member committee regarding revival of “Safe Basnat” which comprised Syed Zaeem Hussain Qadri as convener and other nine members including Lahore commissioner, APKFA president Nadeem Wayeen, Mian Yousuf Salahuddin and others.
Pakistan Today tried to contact convener of the committee Zaeem Qadri, but he was not available for comment. However, he had given a hint in his earlier talk by saying, “The people are anxiously waiting for revival of Basant that is an event that marks the coming of spring, brings together people from all walks of life, covers the sky with colours and spreads happiness among the people”.
When contacted Mian Yousuf Salahuddin, member of the committee, he said that the committee has prepared the suggestions that how this festival could be celebrated in a safe way.
When asked about the secure venue for the kite flying, he said that in the past all the deaths were reported from the areas adjacent to main roads and not a single death was happened in Walled City Area of Lahore.“Walled City area would be the better for the celebration of this festival as it has narrow streets and there is no fear of strings could fall on the streets,” he said adding that though it would be limited but we cannot take any risk by demanding its celebrations in other parts of the city. He further said that its government’s responsibility to control aerial firing.
APKFA President Khawaja Nadeem Saeed Wayeen told Pakistan Today that APKFA appreciates the Punjab government efforts aimed at revival of economic activities. “