“Basant will be celebrated in Lahore in the second week of February,” Punjab’s information minister confirmed. He added that Basant is an ‘enormous economic activity’ and that it is a source of promoting tourism in the country.
Social Media has mixed reactions. Some believe that the restoration of Basant will open avenues for economic activity while others believe it is a bad move because the festival has cost 100s of precious lives in the past.
Here are reactions from people in favour of the decision
‘Good decision by the Punjab government’
https://twitter.com/alisulehria/status/1075012648473894912
Usama Khilji also seconds the move but says security measures must be ensured
https://twitter.com/UsamaKhilji/status/1075004156530823168
This user believes the same
https://twitter.com/ProjectPak1947/status/1075020574064369665
‘Happy to have Basant back’
https://twitter.com/asmaalizain/status/1075028320897695744
Here are reactions from those against it
‘You all will have to be responsible for a single life lost’
https://twitter.com/Edwardian842/status/1075026703922151424
‘Will CM Buzdar ensure precious lives are not lost in the process?’
https://twitter.com/GroundReality_/status/1075024650365820933
‘Wrong decision’
https://twitter.com/rubaahmed589/status/1075030295588597760
Basant was a widely celebrated festival across Pakistan before sharp string attached to the kites led to a loss of precious lives and the event was eventually banned in 2007.