Basant enthusiasts are making the most of the third and last day of the kite-flying festival, which returned to Lahore on February 6 after the Punjab government lifted a more than two-decade-long ban, imposed following deaths and injuries caused by sharp kite strings and celebratory gunfire.
With the weather remaining favourable for kite flying, the skies above the city were filled with kites, as Basant enthusiasts thronged rooftops across Lahore.
Basant has seen a large number of people, both young and old, engaging in kite flying, along with celebrations featuring music and traditional festivities.
However, certain restrictions have been imposed during Basant to maintain public order and respect religious sentiments.
According to a government spokesperson, kites carrying images or symbols of holy books, religious places, personalities, political parties or national flags have been banned.
In addition, the use of metallic wire and nylon string has also been banned, while the installation of safety rods on motorcycles has been made mandatory during Basant in the provincial capital.
Vehicles entering Lahore are being subjected to strict checking and scanning, and only legally permitted kite-flying material is being allowed into the city, while prohibited items are being confiscated.
Over 10,000 officers and personnel have been deployed across the city during the Basant celebrations.
Checkpoints have been set up in different zones, with 104 in the Red Zone, 92 in the Yellow Zone, and 72 in the Green Zone. Police have also been deployed on rooftops, overhead bridges, underpasses, and at entry and exit points.
On Friday, at least one fatality was reported along with five injuries in separate kite-flying-related incidents across Lahore.
The deceased, 25-year-old Ali Rasheed, was electrocuted while attempting to retrieve a stray kite near the Sikh Canal in Baghbanpura. He had reportedly climbed an electric pole and came into contact with live wires.
Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has announced the cancellation of all Basant-related activities scheduled for Sunday, following a deadly suicide blast at a mosque in Islamabad that claimed more than two dozen lives.
Commending the residents of Lahore, Punjab CM Maryam lauded them for following safety SOPs and measures.
"I am happy that the people of Lahore upheld the trust we placed in them."
"Lahore residents played an important role in celebrating safe basant by following the rules and regulations," the CM said in a statement while highlighting that the concept of a happy but safe basant was fully adopted.
"Apart from the prescribed size, no reports of using prohibited strings were received," she noted.
CM Maryam said that the concept will be adopted in other cities after Lahore.
Urging the public to be cautious on the last day, she said that 200 clinics on wheels and 21 field hospitals were also set up in every area.
Apart from the masses, US Chargé D'Affaires Natalie Baker also took part in basant celebrations at the Delhi Gate in Lahore.
Welcomed by Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari and accompanied by Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, the US envoy thanked the provincial government for lifting the ban and allowing the popular kite-flying festival to be held.
Meanwhile, celebrities are also attending the festivities, including the likes of Yasir Hussain, Mikaal Zulfiqar, Mohib Mirza, Juggan Kazim, Faryal Khan, Gohar and others.
