LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Wednesday issued notices to the Punjab chief secretary and Lahore Lord Mayor to submit their replies on a petition challenging the Punjab government’s decision of lifting a ban on Basant festival.

A bench of the high court directed the official respondents to submit their comments on the petition by Jan 15.

On Dec 19, the Punjab government announced its decision to lift the ban imposed on celebrating Basant saying the festival — which marks the arrival of Spring season — will be celebrated in the second week of February 2019.