Petition Filed in LHC Demanding Accountability for Basant-Related Deaths

A petition has been filed in the Lahore High Court seeking criminal action against government officials over six deaths and 124 injuries during recent Basant celebrations in Lahore. The plea, submitted by Judicial Activism Panel head Azhar Siddique, cites official data from the Punjab Home Department, highlighting discrepancies with government claims that the festival was safely conducted.

The petition notes that while Basant was allowed from February 6 to 8 with tight security and safety arrangements, dozens of children were injured falling from rooftops or climbing electricity poles, and hazardous kite strings, known as “killer strings,” were still manufactured, transported, and sold. The petitioner argues this reflects gross negligence by authorities, turning Basant into a serious public safety risk rather than a cultural event.

The court has been asked to order criminal and departmental proceedings against responsible officials, form a judicial commission to assess losses, and ensure strict enforcement of laws banning the production, supply, sale, and use of dangerous kite strings.