Lahore: We want Basant, demand MPAs

[Naveed Yaseen]

* Senior minister says there should be no restriction on celebrating such festivals

By Rana Kashif

LAHORE: Members of the Punjab Assembly (MPAs) demanded on Thursday that the ban on the celebration of Basant be lifted, claiming the event was a part of the rich, cultural history of Punjab.

The demand for allowing the people of Punjab to openly celebrate the Basant festival was made after MPA Syed Hasan Murtaza raised a point of order during the PA proceedings and said the district police officer (DPO) of Sargodha had banned the people of the region from celebrating Basant. He said it was unfortunate that the celebration of the festive occasion was not allowed in his own constituency. Such events are the only cultural events associated with the agricultural sector, he added. He said farmers and landlords arrange dog and horse races to commemorate the event and it is a source of recreation for them after the hard winter months.

On another point of order, MPA Nargis Faiz Awan said Basant was a festival rich in the province’s culture and history. She said that the event was a source of recreation for not only the people of Punjab, but also people from across the country. The government should allow the celebration of the festival and make arrangements to ensure that human lives are secured, she added.

No restriction: Similarly, Senior Minister Raja Riaz Ahmed said there should be no restriction on the celebration of cultural festivals across Punjab, adding that such events should be organised with government support, as they were a major source of recreation. Responding to this, Law Minister Rana Sanaullah Khan said it was the demand of the honourable members of the House and the senior minister. He said that following the demand of the members and order of the senior minister, he would endeavour to resolve the issue.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp...009_pg13_1