Punjab claims decision to hold Basant ‘not final’ yet

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LAHORE: The Punjab government seemed to backtrack on its earlier stance on Wednesday as it said that a decision to celebrate Basant in the province was not final as of yet.

On December 18, Punjab Information and Culture Minister Fayyazul Hassan Chohan had announced the government’s decision to lift the Basant ban, adding that a committee comprising the Punjab law minister, the provincial chief secretary, and other administrative officials, will be formed to deliberate on the modalities about how the negative aspects of the festival can be avoided and overcome.

A local lawyer, Advocate Safdar Shaheed Pirzada had moved the Lahore High Court (LHC) against the Punjab government’s decision to lift the 12-year-old ban imposed on celebrating Basant festival in the province.

As the court heard the petition on Wednesday, the counsel informed that the decision was “merely a recommendation” at this point.

The court then issued notices to the provincial info minister and others named in the petition and directed both parties to present their arguments in the next hearing.