CM Punjab extends Basant timing by five hours

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Sunday announced an extension of the Basant Festival timings by five hours, allowing celebrations to continue until 5:00 AM on February 9, 2026. The announcement was made via a special message and on her official X (Twitter) account.

Maryam Nawaz said that the Basant Festival returned to Lahore after a 25-year hiatus, and the timing extension is a gift for the residents who celebrate the festival while following safety SOPs. Earlier, the festival was scheduled to conclude at midnight on Sunday. The Chief Minister urged citizens to avoid electric wires and follow safety measures while enjoying the festivities.

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In a strict move to ensure safety, Punjab Police arrested two people for using spinning wheels during the festival. Maryam Nawaz reminded the public that spinning wheels are prohibited and only 9-ply cotton strings are allowed. The use of metal wires, nylon/plastic ropes, chemical/glass-coated strings, bulletproof materials, or any dangerous items is strictly banned. Violations can result in imprisonment from three to seven years, heavy fines, and other legal actions.

The CM emphasized that kite flying remains banned across the rest of Punjab and reiterated that the ban will continue even after the three-day festival. The festival saw a record influx of around 900,000 vehicles entering Lahore over three days.

Public transport usage also hit unprecedented levels, with around 1.4 million passengers traveling on government-run services including the Orange Line Metro Train, Metrobus, feeder buses, and electric buses over two days. On Friday, 299,000 passengers used the Orange Line Metro for free, while 305,000 availed free rides on Saturday. Metrobus services carried 143,000 passengers on Friday and 135,000 on Saturday.

Maryam Nawaz expressed satisfaction with the administrative arrangements, security measures, and the cooperation of Lahore residents, while stressing that the continuation of the kite flying ban is crucial to ensure public safety during and after the Basant Festival.