Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has announced that she will not participate in any Basant-related events scheduled for Saturday, following a deadly incident in Islamabad that claimed dozens of lives and left many others injured.
In a post on X, the chief minister said the large Basant event planned at Liberty Square has been cancelled in light of the tragedy. She stressed that the nation must remain united against militancy and stand firmly with the armed forces during this difficult time.
Her announcement came as Lahore began a three-day Basant festival on Friday, marking the first such celebrations after Punjab lifted a ban that had been in place for more than two decades. Authorities had earlier said that strict safety measures were being enforced this year to prevent kite-flying accidents and related incidents.
A similar decision was also taken in Sindh, where the provincial government cancelled the musical segment of a Cultural Night organised for the Commonwealth Parliamentarians Association. Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said the dinner would still take place but without music, as a mark of respect for the victims.
The cancellations follow reports of a major blast at Imambargah Khadijah al-Kubra during Friday prayers. Officials said at least 31 people were killed and 169 were injured in the attack, with investigations still underway. Eyewitnesses quoted by local media said the attacker was confronted at the entrance, after which the situation escalated and led to the explosion.
The incident has triggered widespread mourning across the country, prompting authorities and political leaders to scale back or cancel public events in solidarity with the victims and their families.
