Also cancels mega Basant show in Lahore; Sindh cancels the musical part of the event for foreign legislators
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif. Photo: X
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Friday canceled all her Basant-related engagements following a suicide blast at an imambargah in Islamabad on Friday that killed at least 31 people and injured dozens.
Police and officials confirmed that a massive bomb ripped through the Tarlai area imambargah on Friday, killing at least 31 worshipers and injuring 169.
Posting on X, CM Maryam condemned the incident and announced the cancellation of all her Basant-related engagements for Saturday.
“In the wake of the Islamabad tragedy, I am canceling all my Basant-related activities scheduled for tomorrow. The Mega Basant show at Liberty Square is also cancelled,” she said.
In the wake of the Islamabad tragedy, I am canceling all my Basant-related activities scheduled for tomorrow. The Mega Basant show at Freedom Square has also been cancelled.
PS: It is imperative that the nation remains united against the Khwarji menace and their…
— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) February 6, 2026
Calling for national resolve against terrorism, the chief minister said it was imperative that the nation remain united against terrorists and their “sympathizers”, show them no mercy and stand shoulder to shoulder with the armed forces in the defense of the country.
She also urged the citizens to stand united and undivided and emphasized the need to eradicate terrorism and reclaim peace and happiness from the clutches of the invaders.
“This is our country and we must promise to protect it from the assailants. It is also our job. Take up the challenge,” the chief minister said.
A very important message:
The Pakistani nation must not allow its hopes to be dashed. Instead, TODAY we must make an unequivocal decision to stand united and undivided, to eradicate terrorism and to wrest our peace and happiness back from the hands of terrorists and…
— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) February 6, 2026
In a similar gesture, the Sindh government also canceled the musical part of the cultural night planned in honor of the Commonwealth Parliamentarians Association, in solidarity with the families of those killed in Islamabad.
Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon announced the development on X.
“In solidarity with the families of those martyred in today’s tragic Islamabad blast, the PPP Sindh government has decided to cancel the musical part of the cultural night planned in honor of the Commonwealth Parliamentarians Association,” he said.
In solidarity with the families of those martyred in today’s tragic Islamabad blast, the PPP Sindh government has decided to cancel the musical part of the Cultural Night scheduled in honor of the Commonwealth Parliamentarians Association.
We share the pain of the bereaved… pic.twitter.com/zlxVg50RKW
— Sharjeel Inam Memon (@sharjeelinam) February 6, 2026
“We share the pain of the bereaved families. The dinner will be held simply, without music, out of respect for the victims and our national grief,” Memon added.
The three-day Basant festival officially began today, with Lahore slipping into festive mode, its skyline punctuated by soaring kites and streets awash with colour, anticipation and tightly controlled order, marking the festival’s return after nearly two decades.
Read: Lahore erupts with sounds of ‘bo-kata’ as Basant returns
Fireworks lit up the night sky after midnight, kites rose from rooftops and music drifted through the walled city and beyond into the city long known as the home of ‘patang-baaz’ – kite flyers by instinct.
Markets traditionally associated with Basant such as Mochi Gate, Delhi Gate, Shah Alam Market and Anarkali remained crowded late into the night as buyers stocked up on kites, bobbins, fairy lights and festive paraphernalia.
The national mood turned somber after the horrific attack, which drew condemnation from across the political spectrum and from several foreign embassies and countries.
