LAHORE – The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Thursday heard a petition seeking permission to celebrate the Basant festival throughout Punjab. The court summoned the special secretary to the chief minister of Punjab to appear and explain the government’s position.
The hearing was conducted by Justice Malik Muhammad Owais Khalid, who asked if the special secretary had arrived. A law officer replied that the official was ready with an answer but requested more time. The court allowed the special secretary to appear at 12:30 PM.
The petitioner argued that the Punjab government had already enacted a law permitting the celebration of Basant. However, the law has been implemented only in Lahore, while other cities in Punjab have been excluded.
“This selective implementation violates the principle of equality,” the petitioner said. They requested the court to direct the government to allow Basant celebrations across the province.
The petition also stated that limiting the festival to Lahore amounts to discrimination against citizens of other cities. According to the petitioner, such restriction goes against Article 25 of the Constitution, which guarantees equality before the law.
The petitioner highlighted that residents of Punjab outside Lahore have long awaited the chance to celebrate Basant, a traditional festival marking the arrival of spring. They argued that the festival should not be restricted to a single city when the law applies to the entire province.
The court is now awaiting the special secretary’s appearance for further clarification on the government’s stance regarding the provincial celebration of Basant.
In other news read more about Basant Tragedy: LHC Summons Report From Home Secretary And CCPO
The hearing reflects ongoing discussions about the cultural significance of the festival and the need for equal access for citizens across Punjab. Legal experts say the outcome could set a precedent for implementing provincial laws fairly in the future.
