LAHORE, Jan 3: The city government has decided to organize two phases of Basant from February 1 to 20 and March 20 to 31 and prosecute those found using metallic wire for kite flying or resorting to firing.

The decision was taken at a meeting held here on Friday with district Nazim Mian Amer Mahmood in the chair.

It was also decided to invite foreign dignitaries in the Basant festivities and make foolproof arrangements for their security.

Government College for Women, Choona Mandi; Shahi Hamaam, Delhi Gate; Saint Mary Park, Gulberg, and Racecourse Park were selected as venues for organizing the Basant and spring festivals.

The Nazim said the ban on use of metallic wire for kite flying had been imposed with immediate effect. Special teams comprising Wapda SDOs, police officials and tehsil municipal officers had been constituted to take action against those violating the ban.

Mian Amer said the government had created a special cell in the Solid Waste Management to supervise sanitation arrangements during the festival. Union council Nazimeen were also being directed to remove encroachments in their areas.

Special instructions had also been issued for organizing programmes for ensuring participation of people from low-income groups in Basant festivities, he added.

Parks and Horticulture Authority director-general Kamran Lashari, district coordination officer Khalid Sultan, SSP (operations) Aftab Cheema, traffic SSP Col Zaheerul Hasan and executive district officers attended the meeting. — Reporter