A petition has been filed in the Lahore High Court seeking criminal proceedings against government officers over six deaths and injuries to 124 people during the recent Basant celebrations in Lahore.
The petition was submitted by Judicial Activism Panel head Azhar Siddique. It states that official data from the Punjab Home Department shows six people were killed and 124 others were injured during the festival. The figures contradict the Punjab government’s claim that Basant was celebrated safely.
Lahore marked the end of the Basant festival with widespread celebrations across the city. Colorful kites filled the skies as residents gathered on rooftops, streets, and public spaces to welcome spring. The event took place under tight security and special arrangements.
The Punjab government had allowed Basant celebrations from February 6 to 8, limiting the festival strictly to Lahore. Authorities said the event was held under extensive legal, administrative, and safety controls to avoid the deadly incidents that had previously led to a ban on the festival.
However, the petitioner argued that Basant has become a serious threat to public safety rather than a cultural celebration. The plea noted that dozens of children were injured after falling from rooftops or while climbing electricity poles during kite-flying activities.
The petition further claimed that state institutions failed to stop the manufacturing, transportation, and sale of hazardous kite string, commonly known as “killer string.” This failure, the petitioner said, amounts to gross negligence by the authorities.
The court has been asked to order criminal and departmental action against the responsible officials, form a judicial commission to assess the losses caused during Basant, and ensure strict enforcement of laws banning the production, supply, sale, and use of killer kite string.
