A boy flies a kite from the rooftop 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 of Basant festivities in Lahore quickly turned into a moment of grief and solidarity on Friday night, when the Punjab government canceled all related events following a deadly blast in Islamabad.
For most of the day, the provincial capital had returned to its familiar spring rhythm.
Rooftops filled with families, music blaring from speakers and kites once again dotting the horizon after years of bans and uncertainty surrounding the festival. Organized celebrations, however, remained largely concentrated in specific areas.
Much of the activity centered on the Walled City, where authorities had made special arrangements and increased surveillance, while Gulberg – particularly the Liberty area – was set to host the government’s flagship event in Basant.
A mega show had been planned at Liberty Chowk as the highlight of the day; However, in light of the Islamabad tragedy, the government suspended those celebrations.
Beyond these areas, the atmosphere was remarkably moderate. For many residents, Basant no longer felt like the street-level, neighborhood-wide celebration it once was.
With the price of kites and strings rising sharply in recent years, and the even higher cost of safety-compliant QR code gear, the festival seemed increasingly out of reach for low-income families.
In several parts of the city, it seemed less like a mass celebration and more like a pastime for the rich, with organized gatherings and better-stocked rooftops largely visible in upscale localities.
Congratulating the citizens, Chief Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said all arrangements had been finalized and foolproof security measures had been put in place under the instructions of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.
He urged people to celebrate responsibly and stressed that the continuation of Basant will depend on the behavior of the public in the coming days.
The authorities repeatedly recommended compliance with security protocols. Motorcyclists were warned not to ride without safety bars, while citizens were asked to only use ropes and kites with QR codes to minimize accidents.
Police and district administration teams continued to be deployed in key areas to enforce standard operating procedures.
However, the festive atmosphere did not last long. In the evening, reports of a suicide blast near an imambaga in Islamabad completely changed the mood.
Within hours, the Punjab government canceled all Basant-related activities scheduled for the next day, including the much-awaited Liberty Chowk show in Gulberg.
In a message 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.
He ordered the authorities to provide full assistance to Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Twenty-five fully equipped ambulances were dispatched, hospitals were placed on high alert, and surgical teams, specialists, and blood banks were ordered to remain on alert.
“We support the families of the martyrs in this difficult time,” he said, adding that those responsible will be brought to justice.
Azma Bukhari later confirmed the cancellation of all events, saying the government shared the pain of the bereaved families and would continue to confront terrorism with determination.
