LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has announced a three day government-sponsored Basant festival to be held on February 6, 7 and 8 saying the celebration aims to restore joy culture and healthy recreation in the province.

Chairing a meeting to finalise arrangements, the chief minister said everyone has the right to celebrate freely as Punjab belongs to people of all faiths. She termed Basant an 800 year old cultural tradition marking the arrival of spring and said its association with past accidents was unfortunate.

Maryam Nawaz said a comprehensive safety plan had been prepared dividing Lahore into red, yellow and green zones. Spinning reels will be banned while only cotton kite string made of nine threads will be allowed. Nylon and metallic strings oversized kites and guddas will be prohibited, with strict penalties including imprisonment and fines for violations.

She said more than 2,150 stakeholders had been registered while hundreds of arrests and seizures had already been made against illegal kite flying. During the festival free public transport will be provided including buses Metro Bus Orange Line and electric buses.

More than 40,000 police personnel traffic police camps, control rooms CCTV cameras and drones will monitor the event. The chief minister urged the public to cooperate stating the festival is meant for safe and joyful celebration.