Maryam Aurangzeb Hails Basant Celebrations as a Victory for Lahore and Pakistan

LAHORE: Punjab’s Senior Minister Maryam Aurangzeb has said that culture and traditions should not be locked away but managed responsibly, declaring the revival of Basant as a victory for Lahore and Pakistan.

Speaking to the media outside Haveli Asif Jah in the Walled City of Lahore, Maryam Aurangzeb said the chief minister implemented a difficult but necessary decision to allow Basant celebrations in an organized manner.

She shared details of the arrangements, stating that safety rods were installed on 1.4 million motorcycles during Basant, while free transport services were provided to citizens through 512 buses. Over three days, nearly 2 million people used the free transport facility, and around 1 million vehicles entered Lahore.

Emphasizing the success of the event, she said that culture and traditions are not meant to be banned but effectively managed. “Everyone celebrated with joy during Basant. This successful Basant is a victory for Lahore and Pakistan, and next year we will witness an even bigger celebration,” she added.

The senior minister also said that hatred was instilled in the minds of youth over the past four and a half years, referring to calls of violence made on February 8. She said the public had rejected such politics.