Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Sunday congratulated residents of Lahore for observing safety regulations during the three-day Basant celebrations, saying the festival concluded without major incidents and reflected public adherence to officially prescribed standard operating procedures.
In a statement issued on the final day of the festival, the chief minister said the conduct of citizens had justified the provincial government’s decision to allow Basant under a regulated framework. She announced that festivities on Sunday would be extended by an additional five hours, citing compliance with safety measures across the city.
Maryam Nawaz said the concept of celebrating Basant in a controlled and safe manner had been widely accepted, adding that residents had followed restrictions related to kite size and materials. She said there were no reports of banned kites or metallic strings being used during the celebrations, and noted that power infrastructure, including transformers, remained unaffected as a result.
She also said preventive arrangements on rooftops, introduced as part of the safety plan, proved effective during the festival. On the basis of the Lahore experience, she said the provincial government intended to extend the “Safe Basant” model to other cities.
The chief minister said health and emergency services had been placed on alert throughout the celebrations. According to her statement, 200 Clinics on Wheels and 21 field hospitals were deployed across Lahore, including in high-traffic areas such as Liberty Chowk and the Walled City.
Calling Sunday the final day of Basant, she urged residents to continue exercising caution and to follow safety guidelines until festivities formally concluded.
Separately, members of the Cabinet Committee on Law and Order (CCLO) marked the final day of Basant by visiting the rooftop of the Government Victoria Girls Higher Secondary School at Mori Gate. Committee members commended residents and visitors for celebrating the festival while adhering to safety protocols.
Speaking to reporters, CCLO Chairman Khawaja Salman Rafique said the revival of Basant after a long suspension was a significant decision taken by the chief minister. He credited media organisations for disseminating information about safety procedures, which he said contributed to the orderly conduct of the festival.
Punjab Law Minister Rana Muhammad Iqbal said participants had enjoyed the celebrations and added that the government would work to improve arrangements for future editions of the festival.
Punjab Home Secretary Ahmad Javed Qazi also said the festival passed without serious incidents, adding that Basant would be organised again next year in Lahore and other districts of the province.
Officials said authorities would review the overall management of the event, including enforcement of safety rules and deployment of services, as part of planning for future festivals.