LAHORE – The Lahore High Court on Friday issued notices to the Punjabgovernment and other official respondents on a petition challenging thegovernment’s decision to lift a ban on Basant festival in the province.

Justice Ameenud Din Khan of the provincial high court has directed all therespondents to submit their responses by Dec 26, turning down a plea togrant a stay order against the kite-flying festival until a final decision.

Shafqat Hussain Pirzada had moved a petition before the Lahore High Courtarguing that the festival inflicts a blow on the national exchequer afterthe Punjab government decided to lift a ban on Basant festivity andannounced that the festival will be held in February next year. A committeehad been formed by the government in this regard as well.

Any festivity at the expense of human lives should not be allowed, thepetitioner had contended; the petitioner prayed the court to annul thegovernment’s decision to hold the festival in the province.

Basant, a kite-flying seasonal festival of the Punjab region, has beencelebrated for generations. It is held in late January or early Februaryand marks the start of the spring season