Printing national flag in different colours prohibited by Lahore Court

A Lahore court has forbidden the printing of flags in different colours. The printing of flag in various colours,  other than its original scheme, and on distorted shaped portraits undermining the national dignity might be considered a defilement, Samaa News reported.

“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.

• It must not be flown in the darkness
• It must not be marketed with anything
• When raised or lowered, it must be saluted
• 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
• It 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.