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BASANT

INTRODUCTION OF BASANT

Basant is sort form of Basant Panchami (Sanskrit Vasant Panchami), a Hindu festival
in honor of Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge, music and art. It is celebrated
every year on the fifth day (Panchami) of the Hindu month Magh (January-
February), the first day of spring. Though originally a Hindu festival, it is now
celebrated by people of all religious backgrounds; specially in the Northen India
and province of Punjab in Pakistan. The history of Basant

Basant is a centuries old cultural tradition of Punjab. Over the years, it gained an element
of controversy as the fundamentalism wiped the norms of tolerance and co-existence in
our society. Disregard of law and for the lives of fellow citizens turned it into a bloody
sport.

Recently I came across a book “URS AUR MELAY” by Aman Ullah Khan Arman,
published by Kitab Manzil Lahore in 1959. I am reproducing the chapter on Basant
(p.276-277) here: “Basant (a Sanskrit word for spring) is a seasonal festival of Indo-Pak
sub-continent and it has no religious bearings. Basant is the herald of the spring and
celebrated in winter (Magh) on the fourth or fifth day of lunar month. This is the reason
why it is called Basant Panchami. Basant season starts on this day, therefore, Basant is

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regarded the herald of spring, wheat grows, and mustard blossoms in this season. (Old
Aryan tradition divides a year into six seasons each having two months. Mustard blossom
that is yellow in color is considered the color of spring and accordingly yellow outfits
were worn).

Origin of Basant

In sanskrit Vasant (Basant) means spring and Panchami is the fifth day of the fortnight of
waxing moon (Shukla Paksha) in the Hindu month of Magh, January-February of English
calendar.

In the Vedas the day of Basant Panchami is dedicated to Goddess Sarasvati. It is not a
national holiday in India but the schools are closed and the students participate in
decoration and arrangement of the worship place. A few weeks before the celebration,
schools become active in organizing various annual competitions of music, debate, sports
and other activities. Prizes are distributed on the day of Basant Panchami. Many schools
organize cultural activities in the evening of the Saraswati Puja day when parents and
other community members attend the functions to encourage the children.Sarasvati is the
goddess of learning. Sarasvati bestows the greatest wealth to humanity, the wealth of
knowledge.

In the Vedas the prayer for Sarasvati depicts her as a white lady in white dress bedecked
with white flowers and white pearls, sitting on a white lotus, which is blooming in a wide
stretch of water. She holds Veena, a string-instrument, like Sitar, for playing music. The
prayer finally concludes, "Oh Mother Sarasvati remove the darkness (ignorance) of my
mind and bless me with the eternal knowledge." The Vedas describe Sarasvati as a water
deity, goddess of a river of the same name. According to popular belief Sarasvati,
originating from the Himalayas, flowed southeast, ultimately meeting the Ganges at
Prayag, near the confluence of Yamuna. Hence the place is called Triveni. In due time
this course of water petered away.

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The mythological history of Sarasvati associates her with the holy rituals performed on
the banks of the river Sarasvati. She is worshipped as a goddess of speech, attributed to
the formation of Vach (words), invention of Sanskrit language and composition of
hymns.

BASANT IN PAKISTAN

In the pre-partitioned Punjab, Hindus of Punjab, especially Lahore celebrated the Basant
Panchami by flying kites. Muslims of Punjab at that time did not celebrated the Basant
with same enthusiasm as it was considered as a Hindu festival, though younger Muslim
folk did participated in kite flying as an event. At the time of partition in 1947, population
of Lahore city was almost equally divided between Muslims (52%) and Hindus/Sikh
(48%). By the end of September 1947 almost all the Hindus had left West Punjab/Lahore
for India but their tradition of Basant remained back and even today Lahore take pride in
Basant and fly kite from their rooftops with same enthusiasm.

LAHORI BASANT

Being the historic capital of Punjab there is no other place where Basant is celebrated
with as much vigour and enthusiasm as the ancient city of Lahore. Although traditionally
it was a festivel confined to the old-walled city it has spread all through out the city. It
was for many years officially backed by the government and sponsored by multinational
corporations. Although Basant "travels" throughout Pakistani Punjab it is Lahore which
made it popular not only in Pakistan but all over the world as the largest kite festivle.

he ancient eastern city of Lahore marks the beginning of spring with the Basant carnival,
an orgy of kite-flying, rooftop soirees, garden parties and equestrian events, much to the
disgust of Islamic clerics. Lahorites and out-of-town enthusiasts don glamorous clothes,
in the yellow and green of spring flowers blooming citywide, to bid farewell to the frosts
and fogs of winter and usher in spring.

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Nighttime kite-flying in the walled old quarter around the 16th century Badshahi mosque
and Lahore fort opens the festival. Ancient mughal palaces throw open their doors for all-
night parties to view the kites, illuminated by spotlights slashing the sky. Stars from the
local ‘Lollywood‘ film industry perform with classical Qawali musicians at parties in
traditional haveli homes.

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White paper kites shimmer in the night sky, diving and soaring as rival fliers joust in
duels marked by battle cries of Pecha! and victory shouts of bo kata! Bursts of drums and
trumpets mark the cutting of a kite’s cord.

Men drape themselves in embroidered shalwar kameeze with matching ankle-length

scarves, little boys strut in three piece suits, and women coat their hands with henna and
stack their arms with bangles.

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“If you wander through the old city tonight, you will see a lot of freedom. This is the true
nature of the Pakistani people,” said Basant fan and veteran political observer Imtiaz
Alam, jailed by former military dictator Zia ul Haq in the 1970s for his liberal writings.

Islamic clerics have issued edicts each year branding the festival as Hindu or pagan in
origin. This year, buoyed by gains made in October elections by religious parties, the
clerics have revived public attacks on the festival. “The government should not patronize
Basant as many illegal activities related to Basant get protection,” Liaqat Baloch, federal
parliamentarian and deputy leader of the fundamentalist Jamat-i-Islami party, told AFP.

“It has been hijacked by multinational companies who want to promote free society
culture in Pakistan. “There are other honorable ways to earn money.” Festival enthusiasts

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call it a rare chance to step out and celebrate in a country riven by Islamic militancy, a
year of anti-Christian and anti-Western terror attacks, drought, poverty and an
increasingly bellicose stream of religious fundamentalism. “Let clerics do their job while
we rejoice,” said Nadeem Sarwar, 35, a business executive in Lahore. “It is the only
colourful event that my city can boast about.”

Pakistanis from across the country flock to Lahore for the festival, crowding the
Islamabad to Lahore motorway to catch a glimpse of the flying paper fighting kites. Top
hotels reported full bookings. “It is an event not to be missed,” said Islamabad-based
lawyer Waseem Ahmed.

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But even such a joyous festival has a dark side, as hospitals invariably are packed with
kiteflyers who fell off roofs and children who were hit by cars as they ran down the
streets, their faces turned towards the sky to watch the kites. Quarters of the city are
plunged into darkness when razor-sharp kite cords rolled in powdered glass or made of
steel cut electricity wires. “If there are 50 one-hour breakdowns, it costs us 2.5 million
rupees (43,00 dollars),” lamented Lahore Electricity Supply’s company chief Brig Riaz
Ahmad Khan Toor.

Steel and glass-edged wires are banned but manufacturers still report roaring trade. Police
have already charged 80 people for selling or using metal wire and have made several
arrests, Lahore city council administrator Khalid Sultan told AFP on the eve of the
festival. The skies above Islamist-ruled North West Frontier Province will be bare of
kites as a drive to enforce orthodox interpretations of Islam has prompted a police
crackdown on artistic expression, driving musicians and dancers out of business and
putting singers in jail.

But in Lahore, the party is still a symbol for many, said Alam. “The extremists are a tiny
minority in this country,” he said. “That’s what Basant proves.”

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Friends and family gather at common places to celebrate reunions and party for most of
the Basant Night. Starting from the sunset, flood lights are lit up all over the city’s
skyline as people start off with white-kite flying. BarBQs are served with traditional
Lahori dishes as the cries of “Bo Katas” & Dhol (traditional drums) echo throughout the
next day.

Friends & Family celebrate Basant

People from different cultures and countries are welcomed by their hosts. Many foreign
dignitaries, diplomats from the federal capital, Islamabad are invited over to different
Basant events in Lahore.

A Kite Shop in Lahore

Basant has become the biggest drawer of tourists for this historic city and Pakistan’s
cultural capital. Most of the suburbans book roofs in the old city especially for this event.
From 5-star hotels to Golf Clubs, from Banks to Telecom companies; all become a part of

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Jashn-e-Baharan (Celebration of the Spring) by arranging functions of their own in

different vicinites of the city.

A local McDonald’s celebrates Basant

For a Lahori, Basant is a blend of joy, happiness, love and celebration; a moment of
rejoicing with loved ones and that of just chilling out.

As other Metroblogging make eforts in gift giving, David Markland from Los Angeles
has been maintaining a regularly updated, day-to-day Guide to Metroblogging Cities’
Gifts to the World

2005 KITE BAN IN PAKISTAN

Historically, there have been hundreds of people killed or injured each year falling off
rooftops and being cut by kite strings. While participating in "kite battles," some kite
fliers even coat their strings with glass or shards of metal, leading to more injuries. The
Lahore High Court (LHC) has been moved against the official celebration of Basant in
Pakistan.

In 2005, an advocate MD Tahir of Lahore High Court, Pakistan, contended that Basant
was purely an event of Hindu community who observed it as part of their religious
rituals. He said that forefathers of Pakistani Muslims had never taken part in Basant
celebrations, though they also deemed it a part of their culture. The petitioner said that
Pakistan was a poor country and Basant festivities could not please them by any means.
He argued that frequent power breakdowns because of kite-flying were depriving people
of electricity supply for hours and they were also exposed to life threats by kite-string on
roads. Aerial firing and use of firecrackers was another factor of disturbance for patients,
students and the elderly people, he said. He also counted the death toll taking place every
year on Basant day as a ground to seek a complete ban on kite-flying and Basant
festivities in the country. The petitioner said that the government was spending millions

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of rupees to entertain foreign guests on Basant, rather than spending it to improve literacy
rate, inadequate medical facilities and the provision of basic amenities to common
people. As a result, in 2005, kite flying has been banned in Pakistan. Violent protests
have occurred outside the Pakistani Supreme Court house, and further protests are
planned. Despite the ban on kite flying one can see hundreds of kites every afternoon and
evening on Lahore's sky and the number of kites is even higher on Sundays and public
holidays.

The Basant ban was lifted by the supreme court of Pakistan for 15 days in March but was
again enforced late night on 10 March by the chief minister of Punjab, Pervaiz Elahi. On
January 4, 2006, the provincial government of Punjab lifted the ban for 24 hours so that
kite flying can be enjoyed on the holiday. [

Why Lahore is better than every other city on Earth

Bill Oreilly, that hawkish blabbermouth host of the ’Oreilly Factor’ aired on the not so
fair and balanced ’Fox News’, once arrogantly exclaimed ’Who would wanna go to
Lahore for vacation’. Obviously he hasn’t been to
Lahore on the Basant Night for had he been there, he would know that any person with
half a brain would prefer Lahore to that artificial paradise, the entertainment capital of the
west ’Las Vegas’. Had he looked up in the sky on the brightly Basant night in Lahore, he
would have awed at the bright colors of Pakistan, all the lights of the West would have
paled in comparison, and he forever would have been the devoted slave of the superior
Pakistani culture. Had he been to Yusuf Sali’s Haveli and danced all night with the most
beautiful women under the sky he would have denounced his own notions of white racial
supremacy and would have been sung hymns in the praise of the East.

The ancient land of Indus, aka Islamic Republic of Pakistan, has been celebrating Basant
for over 3000 years. Religions, invaders and rulers have come and gone, but the people of
Indus, the stock that is proudly known as Pakistani in the modern world, have never
stopped celebrating Basant. The Mullahs, the same Mullahs who were once the greatest
enemies of our Republic’s founding in 1947, have tried in vain to convince the people of
Pakistan that to celebrate Basant is some how un-Pakistani, because no precedent is

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found in Islamic (read Arab) History. No doubt Pakistanis are very conscious of their
Muslim identity and rightly so, but their identity is only part Muslim, they are also the
harbingers of an ancient civilization, a civilization which is older than the civilizations of
those who call themselves civilized. This ancient land of Indus was exclusively home to
the Indus Valley civilization, the most advanced civilization of its time. The verdict of the
Pakistani people is overwhelmingly in favor of Basant, a tradition that is almost as
ancient as the land itself.
Legend has it that there was once a Raja called Basant who ruled over the ancient land of
Indus. One year when there was drought, he cancelled all the taxes on his people, and
then the people celebrated Basant every year at the arrival of Spring... But now there is
another legend.. there is a new rajah, and he lives amongst the Lahoris in modern day
lahore. His name is Yusuf Sali, and every year he holds the number one social event of
the year where everyone congregates to pay homage to the most ingenious party host the
city has ever seen. And that is why we celebrate Basant.

Yusuf Sallahuddin’s party is by all means the most exhilarating experience and by all
accounts the must-attend party where the whos who of the world are invited. Allama
Iqbal’s grandson, and a scion of a family considered a stalwart in the Pakistan Movement,
Yusuf Sallahuddin is an extremely cultured and highly educated man. His 17th Century
Mughal Style Haveli is located in the center of ’Shahi Mahala’ or the ’Heera Mandi’
perhaps the most cultural red light district in the entire world. As always the most good
looking celebrities went to his party... and these celebrities were not just Pakistanis... It
was a pleasant surprise to see some of the biggest names of Indian Music industry in
attendance there. Ofcourse there were all the major politicians, though the regular feature,
Imran Khan wasn’t seen there. The surprise of this Basant however was the bash
arranged by Pakistan Muslim League Q, the ruling party. Atleast the "ruling" party is
good for something, for the dance floor there was perhaps the most happening in all of
Lahore. Those who were not over awed by the ’celebrities’ had a much better time at this
party.

Though it is viewed as more of a local event, Basant is perhaps the one truly national

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festival Pakistan has which has nothing to do with religion. Lahore is undoubtedly the
hub of all activity, but on Basant Day, from Karachi to Peshawar the entire country
celebrated as one. Perhaps the fact that it fell in a week in which also saw Eid, the Hajj
the start of the World Cup and finally the Valentines Day made it even more significant.
Government sponsorship for the Jashn-e-Baharan definitely was a plus. Pakistan’s loss
against Australia was one serious party pooper though.

Pakistan unfortunately has faced a lot of malicious propaganda initiated by certain

hawkish Indians in the west. It is a much maligned country, which is viewed unfairly as a
volatile Islamic country and as the ’new epicentre’ of Global terrorism. The truth is
totally different. Pakistan is today witnessing an era of unprecedented stability and
prosperity. Spending is high and the economy is booming. Democracy, albeit controlled
democracy, has been restored, and Pakistanis have a lot to be thankful about. After all
that is what Jashne Baharan, and Basant are all about ie happiness, peace, and celebration
of all that is good in life.

BASANT AND SUFI CULTURE

Sufis are credited for bringing the festival into the Muslim pantheon in the India
subcontinent. By the Mughal period, Basant was a popular festival at the major Sufi
shrines. We have, for example, mentions of Nizam Auliya ki Basant, Khwaja Bakhtiar
Kaki ki Basant, Khusrau ki Basant; festivals arranged around the shrines of these various
sufi saints. Khusrau, the famous sufi-poet of the thirteenth century, even composed verses
on Basant:

Aaj basant mana lay suhagan, aaj basant mana lay Anjan manjan kar piya mori, lambay
neher laga lay Tu kya sovay neend ki maasi,

so jaagay teray bhaag, suhaagun, Aaj basant mana layñ. Oonchi naar kay oonchay
chitvan,

Celebrate basant today, O bride, Celebrate basant today Bring out your lotions,and
decorate your long hair Oh why are you the servant of sleep? Even your fate is wide

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awake, Celebrate basant today O high lady with high looks, […], when the king looks at
you, you meet his eyes, O Bride, Celebrate basant today [bad translation

Another historic account is given in the book "Punjab Under the Later Mughals."
According to this book, when Zakariya Khan (1707-1759) was the governor of Punjab, a
Hindu of Sialkot, by the name of Hakeekat Rai Bakhmal Puri spoke words of disrespect
for the Prophet Muhammad and his daughter Fatima due to teasing by Muslim boys. He
was arrested and sent to Lahore to await trial. The court, gave him capital punishment.
The Hindu population was stirred to request Zakariya Khan to lift the death sentence
given to Hakeekat Rai but he did not accede to their request. Eventually the death penalty
was carried out and the entire Hindu population went into mourning.

As a tribute to the memory of this child, a prosperous Hindu, Kalu Ram initiated the
Basant 'mela' in (Marrhi) Kot Khwaja Saeed (Khoje Shahi) in Lahore. (This place is now
known as Baway di marrhi.) It is the last stop on the route of Wagon no. 60 from Bhati
Gate. Dr. B.S. Nijjar states on Page no. 279 of his book that the Basant 'mela' is
celebrated in memory of Hakeekat Rai.

DISADVANTAGES OF BASANT

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As the joyful people of the Punjab metropolis celebrated the festival of

Basant, the herald of Spring in Pakistan with traditional extravagance
on Sunday, shocks jolted multiple dwellers who lost their loved ones in
tragic episodes.

Reports filed by ‘Pakistan Times’ staffers till mid-night speak of awful

incidents during the past 24 hours wherein almost 20 people lost their
lives with over 500 injured—some of them are reported to be in critical
condition in sickbays.

The overall number of causalities could increase, as there could still be

similar occurrences, which remain unreported from within the
jurisdiction of Lahore as well as from elsewhere, explicitly from the
remote areas in Pakistan.

Sorry to say that most of the victims were kids, who succumbed to the
wounds, inflicted by lethal strings alike sharp wires which are used for
Kite-Flying.

Though the use of such filament as thread to fly the kites was banned
by authorities, the affluent, born with a silver spoon in mouth did not
care and clutched their delight to their fullest satisfaction—least
bothered about the catastrophes the elfin class could face.

STRAY KITES

Seven persons were crushed to death while trying to catch stray kites,
six others died after falling from rooftop of their houses, two teenaged
boys died after being hit by stray bullets in two different incidents in
Gowalmandi, while a 7-years old boy was electrocuted and a four

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years-old girl was killed when a stray string slit open her throat.

At least 500 persons were injured due to similar causes, though a

large number of those on the injury list were in fact hit by stray
bullets. At least 54 of the 180 injured treated at the Mayo Hospital
emergency ward, were hit by stray bullets, which exposed the tall
claims of the city police of having kept a strict check on aerial firing.

“We have received at least 180 injured people at the Emergency

Department since 3.00 am Sunday,” a Senior Medical Officer (SMO) at
the Mayo Hospital said, adding that 54 of them were brought with
bullet injuries.

AERIAL FIRING AND OTHER INCIDENTS

Throughout the day, the city remained echoing with aerial firing and
fireworks, and peaked at the sun set. Some police officials, however,
had a different story to narrate. “We could not control aerial firing due
to the official duties,” a senior police officer said. He claimed that
heavy police contingents were deployed on protocol and VVIP duties.

While the use of metal twine led to power breakdowns all day long, it
also proved fatal in some cases. Two minors were electrocuted when
metal twine came in contact with power cables.

Rescue (1122) officials said they picked up at least 24 patients whose

throats were cut by twine at different roads, and shifted them to
hospitals. “Majority of them were on motorcycles when they came in
contact with twines,” an official said.

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Seven people with severe head injuries died in the Lahore General
Hospital (LGH), officials said. “At least 156 people majority of children
and teenagers, have been admitted to the Neuro-surgery and
Orthopedic Departments of the LGH,” on-duty doctors said Sunday
evening.

They said that most of such cases include people with broken bones
and head injuries.

The emergency wards of Services Hospital, Children’s Hospital and

Institute of Child Health (CH&ICH), Sir Ganga Ram Hospital were also
packed to their capacity, according to the Emergency Departments
management of the said hospitals.

“We are providing free of cost medical treatment to these patients at

the Emergency Units and are shifting them to other wards after initial
medical treatment,” they added.

The Victims

Police said Miran Shah (16) of Nisbat road Gowalmandi was flying kite
when a stray bullet hit him. As a result he received serious head
injuries and was rushed to the General Hospital where he succumbed
to his injuries.

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In the second incident, Noman (13) of Temple road Mozang also

received stray bullet in head and he was shifted to General Hospital
where he died.

Throat Slit

In another incident, twine of a stray kite slit the throat of a four years
old girl Kashafa of Peco Road Liaquatabad when she was going
alongwith her father on a motorbike. She was taken to General
Hospital in precarious condition where she expired.

In the fourth incident, Amjad Ali (7) was crushed to death when he
was trying to loot a stray kite at Hanjarwal area.

Aurang Zeb (12) of Dharampura, Muhammad Awais (20) of Sanda,

Muhammad Ashraf of Nishtar Colony, Muhammad Awais (20) of Kot
Lakhpat, Bilal Abubakr of Gulberg and Muhammad Aslam(18) of Rang
Mahal were flying kites on the roof top of their houses when they fell
on the ground and died.

Muhammad Riaz (20) resident of Sanda died after taking poisonous

liquor.

Metallic Wire

Metallic wire slit the throat of Mahmood Ali of Sialkot when he was
going to somewhere by a motorbike.

Two unknown persons were crushed to death by rashly driven vehicles

while looting stray kites at Lower Mall and Sanda areas.

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Over 300 Injured

More than 300 people were injured in kite flying related incidents. The
majority of them cosisted of children and teenagers. The injured were
rushed to the local hospitals for first aid.

Ali Haider (8) of Model Town, Nasir Ali (30) of Kot Lakhpat and Yasin
(24) s/o Arif Hussain of Faisalabad, received head injuries and were
rushed to the General Hospital where their condition was stated to
becritical.

Extra-bonanza Basant

The extra-bonanza Basant festival, heralding culmination of winter was

celebrated in the Punjab capital Sunday with traditional enthusiasm
and fervour.

Provincial capital echoed with "Bo-Kata" [Hacked] punctuated by

trumpet-blowing from flash lights-fitted roof tops while young and
children made desperate attempts to loot floating kites.

The festival picked up last evening, was marred by light drizzling at

night that failed to dampen kite-flying spirt of youngsters who re-
surfaced after a brief lull, blowing hand-made bugles with cheer and
joy.

Residents said public parks and rooftops of all big buildings, shopping
plazas and hotels were crowded with revellers celebrating the annual
festival.

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The celebrations include music concerts and dinner parties being

organized privately or as public events Saturday night.

Pakistan Railways ran special trains this year to carry thousands of

people from other parts of the country to the city to celebrate Basant
with their relatives and friends.

The festivities will continue late into Sunday night amid chanting over
the cutting of the strings of rival kites and celebrations of victory with
drumbeats and the bursting of firecrackers.

Special Bar-B-Q

At some places special Bar-B-Q was arranged to entertain guests both

from within and outside the country.

Prominent Lolly and Bollywood actors also celebrated Basant with

great enthusiasm and fervour. A large number of Indian movie stars
are either staying in five-star hotels or with their hosts at different
places, majority of them in Defence Housing Society.

Officials said more than 50,000 people from across the country had
arrived in Lahore along with 10,000 other Pakistanis residing in the
Middle East, Europe and the United States to celebrate the occasion.

Taking advantage of the situation some hotels enhanced room charges

on the occasion.

Walled City: Focal Point

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As usual, walled city remained focal point of Basant celebrations where

historic "haveli" of Mian Salahuddin attracted some of Islamabad and
Lahore-based diplomats and elite of the town.

Certain multi-national firms also sponsored Basant by hiring roof-tops

of five-star hotels and some skyscraper buildings in city.

Hundreds of shops and stalls across the city were selling kites while
many multinational companies distributed free kites carrying their
insignia as part of publicity campaigns.

Hotels and restaurants cooked traditional Pakistani food as men and

women attired in glamorous yellow dress thronged the streets.

Basant also coincides with the blossoming of mustard flowers in the

fields of Punjab. Kites worth millions of rupees are sold during the two-
day festivities.

Repeated appeals from the Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO)

to avoid using of metallic wire by the kite-fliers, went unheeded that
resulted in frequent power breakdown in the city, forcing cable
operators to switch off the system in some localities.

Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) has suffered a loss of Rs 60

million caused by 2,400 minor and 90 major power losses and
fluctuations that hit the city s electricity transmission system on
Saturday night following Sunday Basant celebrations.

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Sunday’s killing of 17 persons took the death toll to 20 the number of

persons killed in the night-and-day festival this year. Last year too, as
many as 20 persons were killed in the city of Lahore while celebrating
Basant festival.●

References

• manzoor.wordpress.com/2007/02/25/the-history-of-basant/
• http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.views.pk/wp-
content/uploads/2007/04/lahore-basant-
festival.jpeg&imgrefurl=http://www.views.pk/bansant-jashan-e-
baharaan&h=265&w=384&sz=49&tbnid=Tq7BkuOAZ7cJ:&tbnh=85&tbnw=123
&prev=/images%3Fq
%3Dbasant&hl=en&sa=X&oi=image_result&resnum=1&ct=image&cd=1
• http://www.chowk.com/articles/5891
• http://pakistantimes.net/2005/02/07/top.htm
•

Malik Sabir Shahzad