LAHORE: The Punjab government on Friday announced a new set of rules and regulations for kite-flying during next year’s Basant festival.

After nearly two decades, a three-day Basant festival was celebrated in Lahore in February, following Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s decision to lift a ban on the cultural event of celebration, colours and kite-flying, with strict regulations.

The festival was banned in 2007 because of the increasing number of deaths and serious injuries caused by sharp strings, particularly to motorcyclists and pillion riders, as well as by celebratory gunfire.

Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari has said that the festival will be celebrated in February 2027 and will be “bigger and better than the one held this year”.

Speaking to Dawn, Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said, “The new regulations have been issued on the directives of CM Maryam to ensure the protection of life and property.”

She said that compliance with these instructions would be mandatory for every citizen, building owner, and event organiser. She said that kite-flying will only be allowed on secure rooftops, with a boundary wall at least three-and-a-half feet high.

“Parents and guardians have been directed to ensure continuous supervision of children,” she said. The minister said children will not be allowed near roof edges without adult supervision as “their safety is the top priority”.

According to the new rules, running, jumping and hanging over the edges on rooftops have been completely banned.

The rules also prohibit the “overcrowding of rooftops”, adding that the “number of persons present on a rooftop at any time shall not exceed its safe load-bearing capacity”.

Meanwhile, the rules also hold the organisers of events responsible for managing the size of the crowd. The new rules also prohibit the “use of loud music, DJ systems, high-decibel sound systems, or any other activity causing noise pollution or disturbance to public order and tranquillity”.

To maintain public decorum, the new rules have banned any act “causing nuisance, harassment, obscenity, indecent behaviour, or disturbance to neighbours or the general public”. Under the rules, such acts will be considered an offence under Sections 290, 292-A and 509 of the Pakistan Penal Code

The new rules also mandate the availability of first aid kits and access to them at all premises where kite-flying activities are organised. Under the rules, in case of accidents or violations, building owners and event organisers will be held individually and jointly responsible.

The chief minister said in a statement that the regulations were issued to ensure the celebration of kite-flying is safe and to prevent the loss of precious lives.

“Strict legal action will be taken against the violators as playing with lives in the name of kite-flying will not be tolerated under any circumstances,“ the chief minister said.

She directed deputy commissioners (DCs) and district police officers (DPOs) to ensure the implementation of the rules. The chief minister also appreciated the public for complying with rules and regulations during Basant celebrations this year.

“Citizens of Lahore fully implemented the rules during Basant. I am confident that during the first phase of Basant 2027, the people of Lahore will again ensure compliance with the regulations,” CM Maryam said.

LAHORE: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has booked seven persons, including directors of a biscuit company and a bank official, on charges of money laundering, fraud and tax evasion.

According to the FIR, during the course of inquiry conducted by the FIA, CBC Lahore, it transpired that benami bank accounts were opened to evade taxes on sale transactions of billions of rupees and money laundering was also committed.

“The benami accounts were opened on the CNICs of Abdullah Maqsood, Arsalan Ahmad and Maqsood Ahmad by banker Mazhar Ejaz and other bank officials. After opening the accounts, sale proceeds worth billions of rupees of M/s Innovative Biscuits Pvt. Ltd. (the company) Lahore, having proprietors Sheikh Munir Hussain and Amir Raza, CEO and directors of the company, were parked initially in a different bank and later on transferred to benami accounts from where cash amounts were withdrawn,” it says.

During the probe, the genuine signatures of the account holders were found to be similar with their specimen signatures as per forensic report. Thus the benami accounts were opened with biometric verifications and routine signatures but operated with the proxy signatures, it says.

The account holder, Abdullah Maqsood, also got issued five pay orders worth Rs92 million from such accounts in his favour. The FIA says the sales proceeds worth Rs6.62bn of M/s Innovative Biscuits Pvt. Ltd, instead of depositing with the company’s declared accounts, were credited in the benami accounts to evade taxes, hence, resulted in loss of millions of rupees to the national exchequer.

During the inquiry, it transpired that the key role was played by bank officer Mazhar Ejaz as the benami accounts were opened, introduced and tagged by him.

A case has been registered against Sheikh Munir, Amir Raza, Abdullah Maqsood, Arsalan Ahmed, Maqsood Ahmed, Muhammad Umair Khan and Mazhar Ejaz under sections 409, 419, 420, 467, 468, 471, 477-A, 34 and 109 of PPC R/w 5(2) 47 PCA, 1947.

The FIA says it will determine the role of others bank officials, company staffers, private persons (if any) during the course of investigation. The FIA has arrested banker Mazhar Ejaz, and raids are underway to arrest other suspects.

Published in Dawn, April 22nd, 2026

LAHORE: After the conclusion of their Baisakhi visit to Pakistan on Saturday, Sikh pilgrims from India will leave today for their homeland via the Wagah Border after a week of religious and cultural events.

Around 2,238 Sikh pilgrims arrived on April 10 to participate in Baisakhi festivities. Pakistan had issued around 2,800 visas to Sikh pilgrims this year, while approximately 600 pilgrims were unable to travel.

At the end of their visit, a cultural night was hosted by the Punjab government at Hazuri Bagh for Indian Sikh pilgrims, besides a special ceremony at the Dayal Singh Trust Library under the World Centre for Punjabi.

The Hazuri Bagh event featured colourful cultural performances, traditional music, and a lively atmosphere, wherein Sikh pilgrims enthusiastically participated. Many were seen enjoying the music and performing bhangra to the beat of drums, reflecting the spirit of joy and unity.

Over 2,000 visitors arrived in Pakistan last week to join Baisakhi celebrations

“The cultural night at Hazuri Bagh served as a symbol of interfaith harmony, hospitality, and the enduring bond between Pakistan and the Sikh community worldwide,” Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) Chairman Qamaruz Zaman said. He said the country remained committed to promoting religious harmony and facilitating pilgrims from across the world. “We hope this visit will remain a memorable experience for them.”

Shrines Additional Secretary Nasir Mushtaq highlighted that Sikhism was deeply connected with this land and emphasised that the bond of friendship between Sikhs and Muslims was exemplary. During the ceremony, Punjab Minister for Minority Affairs Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora shared emotional reflections. He claimed that despite propaganda by the Indian media, Sikh pilgrims experienced a complete change in perception upon arriving in Pakistan. “As they prepare to return, I can see tears of separation in their eyes. Many pilgrims told me they do not feel like leaving,” he said.

APP adds: During the visit, the pilgrims performed religious rites at Gurdwara Sri Dera Sahib, where they made collective supplications for peace and interfaith understanding. They also offered special prayers for regional peace and improved Pakistan-India relations.

In Lahore, the pilgrims visited various historical and cultural landmarks, including the Lahore Fort, and toured the Walled City, the Mall, and Liberty Chowk aboard double-decker tourist buses. They also explored prominent city markets, such as Anarkali Bazaar and Shah Alam Market. Talking to the media, Jatha leader Sardar Surjit Singh said that gurdwaras in Pakistan were not only secure but also well-maintained and beautiful. Other pilgrims expressed satisfaction with the provision of facilities while extending gratitude to the Punjab government and the ETPB for hospitality.

Published in Dawn, April 19th, 2026