A boy flies a kite from the roof of his house in Rawalpindi, maneuvering it against the clear blue sky as the afternoon sun casts long shadows. Photo: ONLINE
LAHORE:
What started as a colorful return to Basant festivities in Lahore quickly turned into a moment of grief and solidarity on Friday evening, when the Punjab government canceled all related events following a deadly explosion in Islamabad.
For most of the day, the provincial capital had returned to its familiar spring rhythm.
Rooftops filled with families, music blaring from loudspeakers and kites flying once again dotted the skyline after years of bans and uncertainty surrounding the festival. Organized celebrations, however, remained largely concentrated in specific pockets.
Much of the activity was centered around the walled city, where authorities had made special arrangements and stepped up surveillance, while Gulberg – particularly the Liberty region – was set to host the government’s flagship event, Basant.
A mega show at Liberty Chowk had been planned as the highlight of the day; however, in light of the tragedy in Islamabad, the government suspended these celebrations.
Beyond these areas, the mood was visibly restrained. For many residents, Basant no longer feels like the street and neighborhood party it once was.
As the price of kites and strings has risen sharply in recent years, and safety-compliant, QR-coded equipment costs even more, the festival seems increasingly out of reach for low-income families.
In many parts of the city, it seemed less like a mass party than a pastime reserved for the wealthy, with organized gatherings and better-stocked rooftops widely visible in upscale localities.
Provincial Chief Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb congratulated the citizens, saying all arrangements had been finalized and foolproof security measures were in place under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.
She urged people to celebrate responsibly, stressing that Basant’s continuation would depend on public behavior over the coming days.
Authorities have repeatedly advised compliance with safety protocols. Motorcyclists have been warned not to ride without safety bars, while citizens have been urged to only use ropes and QR code kites to minimize accidents.
Police and district administration teams remained deployed in key areas to enforce standard operating procedures.
But the festive atmosphere did not last. In the evening, reports of a suicide attack near an imambargah in Islamabad completely changed the mood.
Within hours, the Punjab government canceled all Basant-related activities planned for the next day, including the much-awaited Liberty Chowk show in Gulberg.
In a post on X, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said the decision was taken to express solidarity with the victims and their families during what she called a national tragedy.
She ordered the authorities to extend all assistance to Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Twenty-five fully equipped ambulances were dispatched, hospitals were put on alert and surgical teams, specialists and blood banks were ordered to remain on standby.
“We stand with the families of the martyrs in this difficult hour,” she said, adding that those responsible would be brought to justice.
Azma Bukhari later confirmed the cancellation of all events, saying the government shared the grief of the bereaved families and would continue to confront terrorism with determination.
