Provincial Information Minister Azma Bokhari on Thursday said that if people want to keep alive the Basant Festival in the future, they must follow the standard operating procedures (SOPs). Speaking on the Dunya News programme “Dunya Meher Bokhari Kay Sath,” Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari said that Basant is a beautiful festival and that it had been banned in the past because of the use of metallic kite strings.
Azma Bukhari said that the government has taken every possible step to ensure a safe Basant, adding that due to the mistakes of a few individuals, millions of people were deprived of happiness. The Punjab Information Minister said that around one million safety rods have been installed on motorcycles. She added that public transport will be free for three days during Basant — travel on the Metro, Orange Line, and buses will be free so that people avoid using motorcycles.