In the bustling city of Lahore, Punjab Home Secretary Dr Ahmad Javed Qazi urged residents to contribute positively to ensuring Basant 2026’s safety. As news outlets reported a steady stream of incidents involving falling from rooftops and risky kite-flying maneuvers, his call for civic engagement resonated widely.
During the festival’s opening weekend, control rooms across Lahore received reports of over 118 accidents linked to Basant festivities—six of which resulted in fatalities. Four of these were directly attributed to individuals plummeting from their homes’ roofs while chasing stray kites. Another incident involved a young boy scaling an electric pole and another leaping into a tree, each resulting in single deaths. About 112 injuries occurred due to the tangled strings used during kite battles.
Dr Qazi’s video message aired on Saturday highlighted the government’s comprehensive safety measures. He emphasized that multiple departments had joined forces to ensure Basant was celebrated with utmost care and caution. The Home Secretary underscored the active roles of police, traffic police, district administration, Rescue 1122 emergency services, and health sectors.
Dr Qazi announced that all safety rods were installed on motorcycles as part of a stringent safety protocol implemented by the government to safeguard public welfare during the festival. His message emphasized unity among residents in contributing to Basant’s safe celebration.