A petition has been filed in the Lahore High Court (LHC) against deaths during Basant celebrations in Lahore. The petition calls for action against officials for negligence.
According to the petition, the Punjab home department reported six deaths during the festival. However, the petitioner claimed that over 124 citizens were injured, contradicting the government’s statement of safe Basant festivities.
“Basant has become a life-threatening event rather than a festival,” the petition argued. “Dozens of children were injured after falling from rooftops during kite flying.”
The petitioner requested the court to take strict criminal and departmental action against deaths and injuries caused by negligence during the celebrations. Additionally, the formation of a judicial commission was suggested to investigate all losses and casualties during Basant 2026.
Earlier, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz had expressed satisfaction with the security arrangements and organization of the festival. She appreciated the cooperation of citizens in maintaining order and emphasized that kite-flying restrictions would remain enforced at the end of the event.
The three-day Basant festival was celebrated officially after 25 years, from February 6 to 8. The provincial government organized the festivities under the Punjab Regulation of Kite Flying Act 2025, implementing strict safety protocols to prevent accidents.
Despite safety measures, the petition highlights negligence against deaths and injuries during the celebrations. Authorities are being urged to review and improve protocols for future events to ensure public safety.
The LHC will now review the petition and decide whether to initiate legal proceedings against responsible officials. The case underscores the ongoing debate over public safety during traditional festivals in Lahore.
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