A Lahore court has forbidden the printing of flags in different colours. The printing of the flag in various colours, other than its original scheme, and on distorted shaped portraits undermining national dignity might be considered a defilement. The judgment came around August 14, when the national flag can be seen all around the country.
“Our parcham (flag) is not merely a piece of cloth. The white and dark green field represents peace and prosperity, the crescent on the flag [symbolises] progress and the five-ray star signifies light and knowledge, which symbolises the five most Holy personalities (Panjtan-e-Pak A.S),” Justice Ali Baqar Najafi ruled while hearing a petition filed by Advocate Shakeela Rana.
The court observed that according to the National Flags Protocol, people cannot legally do this while celebrating independence day. It must not touch the ground, shoes, feet, or anything unclean.
The judgement also reiterated the rules associated with the national flag, stating that the flag must not be flown in the darkness, must not be marketed with anything, when raised or lowered, it must be saluted. Furthermore, It must not fly or be displayed upside down or with a crescent and star facing left, it must not be displayed where it is likely to get dirty, it must not be set on fire or trampled upon, and must not be buried or lowered into a grave.
People who will violate any of these will be imprisoned for three years under Section 123-B (defilement of the national flag) of the Pakistan Penal Code.
