Azma Bokhari asks people to follow SOPs to enjoy Basant Festival in future

LAHORE (Dunya News) - Provincial Information Minister Azma Bokhari on Thursday said that if people want to keep alive the Basant Festival in future, they must follow the standard operating procedures (SOPs).

Speaking on Dunya News programme “Dunya Meher Bokhari Kay Sath,” Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari said that Basant is a beautiful festival and that it had been banned in the past because of the use of metallic kite strings.

Azma Bukhari said that the government has taken every possible step to ensure a safe Basant, adding that due to the mistakes of a few individuals, millions of people were deprived of happiness.

The Punjab Information Minister said that around one million safety rods have been installed on motorcycles. She added that public transport will be free for three days during Basant -- travel on the Metro, Orange Line, and buses will be free so that people avoid using motorcycles.

She said they did not expect people to be so happy at the announcement of Basant. She informed that kites and strings worth more than Rs 1.24 billion have already been sold.

Azma Bokhari said that people from all over the world are coming to Lahore because of Basant. Strict laws have been formulated for violations of SOPs, and the government’s effort is to pull people out of an atmosphere of disappointment.

She said that anyone using metallic string will be dealt with strictly. NOCs have been issued for rooftops, and rooftops will be monitored with the help of drone cameras.

The Punjab Information Minister said that no motorcycles will be allowed to enter the red zone, and only public transport will be used within the red zone. She added that because of the mistakes of a few, hundreds of thousands of people were deprived of happiness.

She said no violation will be tolerated. Because of Basant, industries in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have also become active, people are getting employment, and stockpiling has also caused issues in the supply chain.

Azma Bokhari said that citizens must also follow the rules. She criticized those who are raising objections on the revival of Basant Festival, saying they are troubled by the happiness of the public and do not want people to breathe a sigh of relief. Instead of abusing one another, people should be allowed to celebrate.

She said that the ban has been applied on those songs which are also baaned in the theatres. She said that festivals are for everyone, not for any political party, and Basant should not be politicized.

She said that if someone wants to put up a picture of their leader, they may do so -- she has no objection. When the kite is cut, the picture will end up falling into a gutter or drain anyway.

She added that they see protests outside Adiala Jail every day, but people do not gather there in large numbers. Traditionally, Basant has always been celebrated in the second week of February.

Azma Bokhari said that misleading statements by the administration regarding the Bhati Gate incident only added salt to the wounds. She said that drug addicts steal sewer covers at night.