LAHORE: Advocate Safdar Shaheen Pirzada on Wednesday moved the Lahore High Court (LHC) challenging the Punjab government’s decision to revive the celebration of Basant after about 10 years. He stated that a ban on this festival was imposed despite the fact that many people lost their lives especially children and youth. He stated that the government wanted to divert attention of the people from actual issues through such tactics. He stated that a ban was imposed on Basant because the festival claimed lives and also caused loss of billions to public properties. He stated that such incidents can take place again. He further went on to state that such a festivity that causes loss of lives was violation of the Constitution, which guaranteed the protection of lives. He requested to set-aside the decision of the provincial government to protect innocent lives and imposition of ban on Basant be maintained. Published in Daily Times, December 20th 2018.