Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has announced she will not take part in any Basant-related activities scheduled for Saturday, citing the deadly incident in Islamabad that left dozens dead and many others injured.
In a post on X, the Punjab Chief Minister said the mega Basant show planned at Liberty Square has been called off following the tragedy in the federal capital. She added that the country must stay united against militancy and stand with the armed forces.
Her decision comes as Lahore kicked off a three-day Basant festival on Friday after Punjab formally ended a ban that had remained in place for more than two decades. Authorities had said strict safety measures were being enforced this year to prevent kite-flying accidents and other mishaps.
CM Maryam’s announcement also followed a similar step taken in Sindh. The provincial government cancelled the musical segment of a Cultural Night organized for the Commonwealth Parliamentarians Association.
Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said the dinner would proceed without music as a mark of respect for the victims of the Islamabad incident.
The cancellation follows reports of a major blast at Imambargah Khadijah al-Kubra in Islamabad’s Tarlai area during Friday prayers. Officials said at least 31 people were killed and 169 were injured in the incident, as investigations continued and more details were awaited from authorities.
Eyewitness accounts cited in local media claimed the attacker was confronted at the entrance, after which the situation escalated, leading to the explosion.
The incident has sparked a wave of mourning and prompted authorities and political leaders to scale back public events in solidarity with the victims.
