LAHORE, Feb 24: Basant festivities picked up in Lahore on Saturday and the sky was dotted with colourful kites but the event lacked public enthusiasm because of certain restrictions imposed on kite-flying.

In the evening, searchlights lit up several parts of the city but the number of kites was not as high as expected and the event also lacked the usual public passion and participation.

The provincial government has allowed kite-flying on Saturday and Sunday.

People did come out of their homes in the evening to watch different events organised by the city administration and private companies. At 10pm, most city roads were jammed with cars.

President Gen Musharraf was also due to attend a cultural show at the Gadhafi Stadium besides taking part in a Basant night at the Haveli Asif Jah.

Trees and structures along the Canal Road, The Mall and other city areas were illuminated by the Parks and Horticulture Authority and some multinational companies. They have also arranged various cultural shows for public entertainment.

There was great rush of people in parks, especially at the Racecourse.

The areas where Basant activity was visible included the Walled City, Islampura, Sanda, Mozang, Ichhra, Iqbal Town, Defence

Housing Society, Samanabad, Shadbagh, Baghbanpura, Mughalpura, Misri Shah, Shahdara, Model Town, Faisal Town, Gulberg and Chungi Amr Sidhu.

The city administration took certain measures this year to check incidents of twine-induced killings by banning the use of metallic and chemical coated twine, reports APP.

According to Punjab government officials, people using metallic and chemical-coated twines would be arrested and could face up to a three-year imprisonment term besides having to pay a fine of Rs100,000. They said that people reporting about the use of contraband kite-flying items, would be given a cash award of Rs5000.

The city district government has also provided safety wires to thousands of motorcyclists to avoid hazards of kite twines.