Reporter Zain Malik dies after tragic fall during Basant celebrations

LAHORE: The Basant festival in Lahore, celebrated this week from February 6th to 8th, has brought both joy and sorrow to the city. After the provincial government lifted an 18-year ban on kite flying, residents have eagerly embraced the long-awaited return of the festival. Despite the government’s efforts to implement safety measures and SOPs, incidents of tragedy continue to occur during the celebrations.

On Sunday, sports journalist Zain Malik tragically lost his life after falling from the fourth floor of a building while flying a kite. A reporter for GNN, Zain had been eagerly participating in the Basant festivities. While enjoying the kite-flying tradition on the final day of the festival in Gulshan-e-Ravi, he fell from the rooftop. He was quickly rushed to Mian Munshi District Headquarters Hospital, where he sadly succumbed to the head injuries sustained in the fall.

The tragic incident has sparked an outpouring of prayers and condolences on social media. At the same time, many are criticizing the safety measures in place for Basant, pointing out that despite the warnings, some participants continue to ignore SOPs. The dense and chaotic construction of Lahore’s walled city, with its hazardous rooftops, is often pointed to as a significant factor in accidents like this. Many have raised concerns about the dangers of chasing kites in such an environment, urging for greater awareness and better precautions during the festival.