Daily Times

Punjab Minister for Information & Culture Fayyazul Hassan Chohan informed on Tuesday that a meeting led by Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar had decided to celebrate Basant in the provincial metropolis during the second week of February, 2019.

He said that Basant was such a festival which reflected Punjab culture in true letter and spirit, however, it was banned due to some negative aspects in the past which had caused human loss and damage to public property.

The minister was addressing the crowded press conference held in connection with Basant at Alhamra Arts Council which was attended among others by Information & Culture Secretary Bilal Ahmed Butt, Alhamra Executive Director Athar Ali Khan and Culture Additional Secretary Akhtar Abbas. Information & Culture Minister Chohan said that Basant was a cultural, social and traditional festival which had nothing to do with any religion.

A committee comprising eight members had been constituted under the chairmanship of Law & Parliamentary Affairs Minister Raja Basharat. The information & culture minister, Punjab inspector general, information secretary as well as other members of civil society and media are its members.

The committee after reviewing all aspects of the festival would submit its recommendations to Punjab CM within eight days who would decide in principle to celebrate this festival in the light of committee’s recommendations.

Chohan said Basant is an enormous economic activity and a source of promoting tourism and added that its celebrations should remain within the prescribed rules and regulations keeping in view the public safety.

“Basant committee will present its recommendations within a week,” he said.

Basant is one of the most colourful and celebrated festivals in Pakistan, particularly in Punjab. However, after a rise in the number of deaths due to chemicalised twine, the provincial government had banned the kite festival in Punjab a couple of years back.

In 2005, the Supreme Court had also banned the festival over deaths caused by the use of sharp and glass coated strings. Several petitions challenging the ban were dismissed by the court.

Meanwhile, the minister expressed joy over the recent decision taken by British Airways for resumption of its flight operations in Pakistan which reflected its confidence over the policies as well as leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan. This decision by British Airways also reflects that the country is driving towards peace and stability, the minister added.

Later on, Chohan while expressing regret over Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Senator Mushahidullah Khan’s statement regarding Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government said that the senator was unaware that the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf government had introduced a green revolution in the province while exhibiting its outstanding performance in KP. The Billion Trees Project is a revolutionary project which is greatly appreciated by the world community, the minister concluded.

Published in Daily Times, December 19^th 2018.