Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Friday announced the cancellation of all her Basant-related activities scheduled for Saturday following the deadly suicide bombing in Islamabad that claimed at least 31 lives.
In a post on X, the chief minister said that the mega Basant show planned at Liberty Square had been called off in solidarity with the victims of the blast at an imambargah in Islamabad’s Tarlai area.
She stressed the need for national unity against terrorism, stating that the country must remain united against extremist elements and their supporters, show them no mercy, and stand firmly with the armed forces in defending the nation.
The three-day Basant festival began in Lahore on Friday after Punjab lifted a ban that had been in place for more than two decades. Authorities had introduced strict safety measures to prevent accidents related to kite flying.
CM Maryam’s decision followed a similar move by the Sindh government, which cancelled the musical segment of the Cultural Night organised for the Commonwealth Parliamentarians Association. Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said the dinner would be held without music as a mark of respect for the victims.
According to officials, at least 31 people were martyred and 169 others injured when a suicide bomber targeted Imambargah Khadijah al-Kubra in Islamabad’s Tarlai area during Friday prayers.
Eyewitnesses told Geo News that the attacker was stopped at the entrance, opened fire, and later detonated himself inside the mosque. They said the main gate is about 30 metres from the entrance, and security guards tried to stop him, leading to an exchange of fire.
The attacker then ran nearly 20 metres inside the imambargah and blew himself up while prayers were underway, causing heavy casualties.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident as the nation mourns the loss of innocent lives.