Lahore to celebrate 10-day Basant festival from Jan 29 to Feb 7 next year

LAHORE: The Punjab capital will celebrate Basant for 10 days from January 29 to February 7 next year, with a one-day break on Feb 5 for Kashmir Day, under a schedule approved by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Wednesday. Lahore celebrated the Basant festival earlier this year from Feb 6 to 8 after an 18-year hiatus. The festival was banned in 2007 because of an increasing number of deaths and serious injuries caused by sharp strings, particularly to motorcyclists and pillion riders, as well as by celebratory gunfire. During a meeting, the chief minister directed the authorities to make…