Lahorites gear up for safe Basant after two decades

After almost two decades, Lahorites have finally witnessed sale and purchase of colourful kites and strings in markets in Lahore, which will continue until Feb.8.

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Around 2,246 traders have so far been given permission to buy and sell kites and string. Officials said 163 registrations were in progress and 95 applications were rejected.

Lahore's Mochi Gate has emerged as the biggest kite selling locality while shops opened at many other localities, including Mozang Bazaar, Baghbanpura, Township, Ichhra, several areas of Walled City, Shahdara and etc.

Mean while, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has announced a “long weekend" in Punjab, declaring a Basant holiday. “Punjab will enjoy a long weekend with Kashmir Day on Feb.5, a provincial Basant holiday on the 6th, followed by Saturday and Sunday. We hope people across Punjab take this time to relax, to recharge, and make the most of the break,” she posted on X.

With the opening of kite and string selling shops, the prices of kites and strings were also revealed. As per visits at different shops, it emerged that Sharla was being sold for Rs50, Pari for Rs70, Ada was being sold for Rs70, Pona Tawa for RsIOO, Tawa for Rs200 and Dherd Tawa was being sold for Rs400. A rush of children and youth was also witnessed at the kite shops.