- Surprise visit draws crowds as chief minister interacts freely with public
- CM directs strict enforcement against unsafe motorcycling during festivities
- Says Basant permitted only in Lahore, kite flying banned across rest of Punjab
- Seeks report on Rawalpindi kite-string injury incident
LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Wednesday paid a surprise visit to Liberty Chowk and Mochi Gate, mingling with citizens and reviewing preparations for the Basant festivities amid heightened safety measures.
A large crowd gathered as the chief minister arrived at Liberty Chowk, where she interacted warmly with people from different walks of life. She exchanged greetings, took selfies with citizens and directed security personnel to step aside so she could freely engage with the public.
During the visit, Maryam Nawaz expressed delight on seeing a young girl wearing a yellow shirt and shook hands with her. A small child also approached the chief minister and exchanged greetings, while another citizen carrying an infant received prayers from her.
Several citizens praised the chief minister’s performance and governance. One resident told her that people were satisfied with her work, while another described her performance as “remarkably impressive” and expressed the hope that she would also visit Karachi.
While interacting with the public, the chief minister noticed a motorcyclist riding without a safety rod and instructed him to get one installed. She said the safety rod was meant to protect public lives and advised that it could be installed free of cost at designated camps. Clarifying the government’s stance, she said motorcycling was not banned during Basant; however, motorcycles without safety rods would be impounded.
She emphasized that all possible safety measures were being implemented to ensure public protection during the festivities.
All riders who have not installed safety rods must do so immediately. This is mandatory for your safety. Motorcycles without safety rods will not be permitted to enter Lahore and will be liable to fines and legal action. Thank you 🙏🏼 https://t.co/xfkN3ouXnG
— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) February 5, 2026
After Liberty Chowk, the chief minister visited Mochi Gate to review Basant arrangements. Responding to a citizen’s query, she said the people of Lahore were celebrating wholeheartedly and that their happiness was a source of satisfaction for her. She added that festivities had returned to the city after a long hiatus.
Citizens expressed enthusiasm over the permission to celebrate Basant and said Lahoris were fondly remembering former prime minister Nawaz Sharif during the festivities.
Do Not Turn a Festival of Joy into Bloodshed: CM
Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz took notice of an incident in Rawalpindi in which a young girl was injured by a kite string and sought a detailed report from the Rawalpindi commissioner.
Reiterating the government’s policy, she said Basant celebrations were permitted only in Lahore, while kite flying remained strictly banned across the rest of Punjab. She stressed that the use of prohibited and dangerous kite string must not be allowed to turn a festival of happiness into a tragedy.
The chief minister directed the authorities to ensure strict enforcement of the law and to take action against those involved in the manufacture, sale and use of banned kite string in order to safeguard public lives.
CM Visits Home of Martyred Captain
In a related development, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz visited the residence of Captain Muhammad Ali Qureshi Shaheed, where she met his family to offer condolences and express sympathy.
Captain Muhammad Ali Qureshi embraced martyrdom on August 22, 2024, while fighting against Fitna al-Khawarij and Fitna al-Hindustan in Kulpor, Balochistan.
وزیر اعلٰی پنجاب مریم نواز کی کیپٹن محمد علی قریشی شہید کے گھر آمد
▪️وزیر اعلی نے کیپٹن محمد علی قریشی شہید کے اہل خانہ سے ملاقات کی اور اظہارِ تعزیت کیا
▪️کیپٹن محمد علی قریشی نے 22 اگست 2024 کو کولپور بلوچستان میں فتنہ الخوارج و فتنہ الہندوستان کے خلاف لڑتے ہوئے جامع شہادت… pic.twitter.com/SoiXsiVRPW
— PMLN (@pmln_org) February 5, 2026
Paying tribute to the martyr’s courage and services, the chief minister said the sacrifices of officers and soldiers of the Pakistan Army in the fight against terrorism were commendable and would always be remembered. She lauded the armed forces’ unwavering efforts to eliminate terrorism from the country.
Maryam Nawaz also appreciated the spirit of patriotism demonstrated by the martyr’s family and assured them that the nation stood shoulder to shoulder with them.
Senior Minister Maryam Aurangzeb, Provincial Information Minister Azma Bukhari and Punjab Chief Secretary Zahid Akhtar Zaman were also present during the condolence visit.
Children from the neighbourhood also gathered at the residence, and the chief minister expressed affection and kindness towards them.
