Lahore: The Punjab government has completed final preparations for the revival of the Basant Festival in Lahore, where the city will resonate with colours, music and cultural activities from February 6 to 8.
Under the government plan, Lahore has been divided into three zones so that the events can be controlled in a better way. Liberty, Walled City and Mall Road have been declared platinum zones, while Jail Road and Ferozepur Road will be part of the gold zone. The rest of the city has been included in the silver zone.
Sources say that all activities will be held zone-wise, while special camps will be set up on the roads for security measures. The government has also decided that the celebrations will be organised through sponsorship instead of the government budget.
The main Basant celebrations will be launched by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on February 6. On the same day, an inauguration ceremony will be held at the Royal Fort in the evening, in which important political, government and social figures will participate. The public will not be allowed to attend this ceremony.
A special ceremony will be held at the Royal Fort on February 7, in which foreign diplomats will participate. The aim of this ceremony is to introduce Pakistan’s cultural identity and the traditional beauty of Lahore to the world.
According to Punjab Horticulture Authority DG Raja Mansoor Ahmed, Lahore is being decorated like a bride for Basant. The city’s roads, parks and historical sites will be decorated with lights and colours.
He said that this time Basant will not be limited to the rooftops of houses, but kite flying will also be allowed in parks and open spaces under SOPs so that families can enjoy the festival safely.
He said that all major parks in Lahore will be part of the Basant celebrations, and the citizens will be provided with ample opportunities for entertainment, music and cultural activities.
The revival of the Basant Festival is being welcomed in urban circles, and people are interpreting it as the return of Lahore’s cultural identity.
