- Punjab CM says quick response teams comprising 15 departments formed in every tehsil
- Says thermal drone surveillance, police and traffic wardens on full alert, warning of heavy fines and jail terms for using hazardous kite strings
- Condemns Tarlai suicide attack, orders best possible medical facilities for injured at Rawalpindi hospitals in Rawalpindi
LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Friday said that comprehensive arrangements had been put in place to ensure public safety during Basant, including the establishment of quick response teams comprising 15 departments in every tehsil, as Lahorites celebrate a three-day Basant festival after a gap of 25 years. She also thanked the citizens of the provincial capital for their enthusiasm and cooperation.
The chief minister advised citizens to take extra precautions while flying kites on open rooftops and to secure rooftops with nylon ropes where parapets were absent.
In her message, the chief minister urged people to celebrate Basant responsibly, saying, “Enjoy the festivities, we are with you. Leave your worries behind and focus on the kite soaring into the blue sky.” She remarked that on this occasion, “it is not just kites but happiness that is flying across Lahore.”
Highlighting the cultural significance of the festival, the chief minister said Basant was an integral part of Punjab’s heritage and called upon citizens to take pride in local traditions while demonstrating responsible citizenship during the celebrations.
She appealed to the public to prefer public transport over motorcycles, announcing that 419 buses would operate free of charge on all routes throughout the three days of Basant.
She further announced that over 60,000 free rides would be provided to citizens during the festival. The Orange Line Metro Train would offer free travel to 25-seat passengers, while Metro Bus, feeder buses and green buses would also operate free of cost. In addition, rides on 6,000 Yango rickshaws would remain free during the celebrations.
Emphasising strict adherence to safety measures, the chief minister urged citizens to use only standard-sized kites and approved strings, warning that the use of prohibited kite string could result in heavy fines and long-term imprisonment. The use of metal wire, sharp string, bulletproof material and spools (charkhi) for kite flying has been declared illegal.
She said kite flying would not be allowed in civil aviation areas of Lahore, while the installation of safety rods on motorcycles and motorcycle rickshaws had been made mandatory.
The chief minister added that kite flying would also not be permitted on rooftops lacking proper safety arrangements. Thermal drone surveillance would remain operational throughout the festival, while police, traffic wardens, district administration and other departments would remain on duty to facilitate the public.
CM Condemns Suicide Attack in Islamabad’s Tarlai
Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz strongly condemned the suicide attack in Tarlai, on the outskirts of Islamabad, and expressed deep grief over the martyrdom of innocent worshippers.
She directed the Deputy Commissioner Rawalpindi to extend full cooperation to the Islamabad administration for the treatment of the injured and ordered that the best possible medical facilities be provided to the victims at government hospitals in Rawalpindi.
On her instructions, 25 ambulances were dispatched to Islamabad. Following her directives, all hospitals in Rawalpindi district were placed on high alert, while the services of surgeons and other specialist doctors were also requisitioned.
According to the chief minister’s message on X, arrangements were made to ensure the availability of blood of relevant groups for the injured, and all available resources were mobilised for their treatment. She also instructed the commissioner and deputy commissioner to personally monitor the medical care of the injured.
Expressing solidarity with the families of the martyrs, Ms Sharif said the pain of the Tarlai bombing was deeply felt and assured that terrorists would not escape punishment under any circumstances.
