The Basant festival in Lahore, which returned after a 25-year hiatus, was marked by a mix of celebration and tragedy. According to ProPakistani and Business Recorder, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif praised the citizens for their disciplined participation, noting that the festival was conducted safely with adherence to safety protocols. She stated, 'Lahore is very happy today, and so am I,' highlighting the public's compliance with restrictions on kite size and materials, which helped protect the city's infrastructure. The festival saw a record entry of 900,000 vehicles and 1.4 million passengers using public transport, indicating high public enthusiasm (Business Recorder, Pakistan Today).