Punjab CM cancels Basant festivities after deadly Islamabad Suicide Bombing

2026-02-06 - 16:26

ISLAMABAD – A wave of grief swept across Pakistan as a horrific suicide bombing inside Islamabad imambargah claimed at least 31 lives, prompting Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to immediately cancel all her Basant-related activities scheduled for Saturday. CM Maryam announced that much-anticipated mega Basant event at Lahore’s Liberty Square had been called off in light of the devastating attack at an imambargah in the Tarlai area of the federal capital. In her message, CM Maryam stressed national unity at a critical moment, she said the country must stand firmly against what she described as the Khawarji terrorist threat and its sympathisers, showing them no mercy and standing shoulder to shoulder with Pakistan’s armed forces. The cancellation comes at a significant moment, as the three-day Basant festival had officially begun in Lahore earlier on Friday following the lifting of a ban that had been in place for over two decades. Authorities had rolled out strict safety measures to prevent kite-flying-related accidents, marking what was meant to be a historic and celebratory revival of the festival. Basant Cancelled? CM Maryam’s decision was mirrored by the Sindh government, which also scaled back its festivities. The musical segment of a Cultural Night organised for the Commonwealth Parliamentarians Association was cancelled. Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said the dinner in honour of the visiting parliamentarians would still take place, but without music, as a mark of respect for the victims of the Islamabad tragedy. According to officials, the deadly blast occurred during Friday prayers at Imambargah Khadijah al-Kubra, leaving 31 people martyred and 169 others injured. The suicide bomber was stopped at the entrance of the mosque, after which he opened fire before detonating himself. They said the main door is located around 30 metres from the imambargah gate and that security guards attempted to intercept the attacker, leading to an exchange of gunfire moments before the powerful explosion ripped through the area. Islamabad Imam Bargah Bomb Blast – Live Updates