After a gap of nearly 18 years, the vibrant festival of Basant has returned to Lahore, filling the city with color, music, and festive energy. With government-approved SOPs in place, residents and visitors alike are enthusiastically participating in the three-day kite-flying celebration.
From the historic Androon City to newly developed residential areas and open grounds, rooftops across Lahore are buzzing with activity. Colorful kites fill the skies, fireworks light up the nights, and many young people are witnessing the iconic festival for the very first time. People from other cities have also traveled to Lahore to be part of the long-awaited celebration.
Pakistani celebrities are equally caught up in the Basant spirit. Several well-known stars were seen enjoying the festivities on their decorated rooftops. Actor Imran Ashraf impressed fans with his kite-flying skills, while actor Usama Khan and national cricketer Hassan Ali celebrated Basant alongside their families and friends.
Actress and host Fiza Ali embraced the traditional vibe by donning bright yellow attire, a color closely associated with Basant. Social media has been flooded with pictures and videos of celebrities enjoying the festival, reflecting the joyful mood across the city.
Earlier, Lahore has been placed under heightened security as the three-day Basant festival begins on Friday. The celebration marks the first officially approved kite-flying event in the city after a gap of more than two decades. Authorities have declared the festival a sensitive event due to large public gatherings and safety risks.
More than 10,000 police officers have been deployed across the provincial capital. Inspector General of Police Punjab Rao Abdul Kareem said law enforcement agencies are fully prepared to deal with any situation. He said strict action will be taken against those violating safety rules.
Senior government officials privately acknowledged serious concerns linked to the festival. They fear that any major incident, especially one involving loss of life, could lead to strong public backlash and political criticism. Officials said the administration is under pressure to ensure the event remains incident-free.
