LAHORE (Web Desk) A notification issued by the Punjab Council of the Arts has gone viral on social media, with many users on X mistakenly claiming that 132 Punjabi songs were banned for the upcoming Basant festival. Officials clarified that the order applies only to the use of these songs in theatre and stage performances, not to Basant celebrations.
Read also: Punjab clarifies viral “132 songs ban” applies only to theatres, not Basant Festival
The list includes popular tracks such as Aa Galay Lag Ja, Raat da Andhaira Way, Mennu Lagda Darr Way and Gaddi La Day Prado.
Punjab Information and Culture Minister Azma Bokhari addressed the confusion on X, questioning where Basant was mentioned in the notification. She described the songs as inappropriate for theatre, saying their lyrics carried double meanings and did not meet artistic or ethical standards.
مجھے سمجھ نہیں آرہا نوٹیفکیشن میں بسنت کہاں لکھا ہے،یہ سٹیج پر پرفارم کرنے سے منع کیا گیا ہے
کیا ان گانوں ،شاعری کو پڑھا جاسکتا ہے؟اسکو سننا اور پرفارم کرنا کہاں ممکن ہے اور یہ گانے موسیقی اور گانوں کے نام پر دھبہ ہیں
انکو گانا اور شاعری کہا جاسکتا ہے؟؟ https://t.co/DZHVZax8D8— Azma Zahid Bokhari (@AzmaBokhariPMLN) January 26, 2026
Her spokesperson, Yaseen Bhatti, confirmed that the January 23 directive was issued under existing theatrical performance SOPs and was meant to regulate stage content only. Bokhari later said on a TV appearance that the government was not opposing dance or personal music choices, but would act against what it considered vulgar performances in theatres.
As Lahore prepares to host Basant from February 6 to 8 after an 18-year gap, authorities have also announced strict kite-flying regulations. Kites bearing political party flags are banned, along with nylon and metallic strings, with violators facing heavy fines and possible jail terms.
Punjab clarified that a viral notification bans certain Punjabi songs only in theatres, not for Basant, while enforcing strict kite-flying rules ahead of Lahore’s festival.
