Author: Faizan Khan

By Faizan Khan LAHORE: President Asif Ali Zardari reaffirmed on Wednesday that the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) remained committed to its founding principles and steadfast in upholding the legacy of its historic leadership. Speaking at a meeting with the party’s local and provincial leadership at Bilawal House in Lahore, Zardari underlined the centrality of political dialogue and democratic engagement in addressing the country’s challenges. He urged party workers and leaders to view alliances and conversations with other political forces not as strategic maneuvers alone, but as essential tools to foster justice, national harmony, and sustainable development. “Democracy is not merely…

By Faizan Khan LAHORE: Punjab’s chief minister, Maryam Nawaz, said her government would distribute Rs40bn in financial assistance to four million households during Ramazan, as she announced the launch of a new welfare initiative. In a statement issued from Lahore, she expressed gratitude over the introduction of the Ramzan Nigehban ATM card, describing it as a key step towards ensuring transparent and efficient delivery of aid. She said the financial support would reach families across the province during the holy month, providing relief at a time of rising living costs. Maryam Nawaz said the entire Ramzan Nigehban package would operate…

By Faizan Khan LAHORE: Muhammad Aurangzeb urged senior civil service officers to embrace a forward-looking and solutions-oriented mindset during a lecture at the National School of Public Policy (NSPP), Pakistan Administrative Staff College in Lahore on Friday. Speaking as part of the “Strategic Policy Dialogue,” an initiative designed to foster direct engagement between national leadership and top bureaucrats, the finance minister outlined his vision for Pakistan’s economic trajectory and stressed the critical role of institutional resilience in managing complex policy challenges. Aurangzeb highlighted the importance of strategic thinking and data-driven decision-making, emphasizing that coordinated action across ministries was essential to…

By Faizan Khan LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif said Basant had not only been successfully revived in Lahore but was also celebrated peacefully. Speaking about the festival in Lahore on Thursday, she said the people of Punjab had upheld the trust placed in them by the government. She also expressed grief over the recent bomb blast in Islamabad, underlining the nation’s determination to defeat the enemies of Pakistan and foil their designs. The chief minister said it was encouraging to see the younger generation put aside electronic gadgets and actively participate in Basant festivities. She described Basant as…

By Faizan Khan LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif announced on Monday that the Basant festival celebrations in Lahore would be extended until 5am. In a message posted on X, she said the extension was intended as a reward for the city’s residents, who celebrated the festival with discipline while responsibly adhering to safety protocols. Maryam Nawaz praised the public for observing the festival in an orderly manner, highlighting that adherence to safety measures had allowed authorities to grant additional hours for festivities. The extension is seen as an acknowledgement of the city’s vibrant cultural spirit while balancing concerns…

By Faizan Khan LAHORE: The Punjab government has urged the public to strictly follow safety measures to ensure peaceful and secure Basant celebrations in Lahore. In a media statement, Home Department Punjab Secretary Ahmad Javed Qazi said comprehensive administrative and security arrangements had been put in place across the city ahead of the festivities. Qazi added that all relevant government departments were on high alert and actively performing their duties to safeguard the public. He emphasized that these measures were aimed at preventing accidents, maintaining order, and ensuring that citizens could celebrate the festival without risk to life or property.…

By Faizan Khan LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz announced on Friday that all her Basant-related activities scheduled for Saturday had been cancelled following a deadly blast in Islamabad that killed at least 31 people. In a post on X, Punjab Chief Minister said the mega Basant show planned at Liberty Square would not take place in the wake of the suicide bombing at Imambargah Khadijah al-Kubra in the Tarlai area of the federal capital. “It is imperative that the nation remains united against the Khawarji [terrorists] menace and their ‘sympathizers’, shows them no mercy, and stands shoulder to shoulder…

By Faizan Khan LAHORE: After nearly 20 years, Lahore was once again awash in the colors of Basant as the three-day kite festival officially kicked off at midnight. Punjab Information Minister, Azma Bukhari, inaugurated the festival by flying the first kite, setting the tone for the celebrations across the city. Lahore’s skies were soon filled with hundreds of brightly colored kites, while rooftops buzzed with kite flying and lively chatter. Enthusiastic young people took to the streets to watch the soaring and falling kites, adding to the festive spirit. Women were prominent participants in the celebrations, adorning their hands with…

By Faizan Khan LAHORE: Acting on instructions from the Punjab chief minister, senior provincial minister Maryam Aurangzeb conducted a surprise visit to central Lahore and Liberty Chowk to review preparations for the Basant festival. During her visit, Aurangzeb inspected Basant arrangements in densely populated areas including Mochi Gate, Liberty Chowk, and surrounding neighborhoods. Residents, including women and children, took selfies with the minister, while local citizens welcomed her with traditional shawls and praised the revival of the festival after a 25-year hiatus. Aurangzeb also sampled Lahore’s famous traditional sweets during her tour. He checked the sizes of kites with QR…

By Faizan Khan LAHORE: The Basant festival began in Lahore shortly after midnight on Thursday as Punjab formally lifted a 19-year ban, with authorities enforcing strict safety measures to prevent accidents linked to kite flying. The three-day festival will continue until 8 February. The ban, imposed in 2007 after deaths and injuries caused by sharp kite strings and celebratory gunfire, was lifted last week through new legislation. Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari arrived at Delhi Gate in Lahore to inaugurate Basant by flying a kite. “The wait is finally over. The festival is about to begin,” she said. Speaking from…