PM wants ‘giant’ national flag hoisted in Islamabad

E-Paper | March 18, 2026

ISLAMABAD: Seized with patriotic fervour, the federal government has ordered the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to install a 541-square-foot flag on a 200-foot pole in the federal capital.

The desire to have a giant flag at a central point in the city was conveyed to the CDA chairman in a recent meeting by the prime minister himself.

“The idea to have a massive flag erected in the city is possibly inspired by New Delhi’s monumental flagpole, measuring 207 feet, which the prime minister saw on his recent visit to India,” said an official of the CDA.

The CDA has earmarked three sites for the landmark; F-9 Park, Daman-i-Koh and the National Monument at Zero Point.

However, technical experts from the civic body are perplexed as no one seems to have any experience or expertise to guide the development and installation of a 200-foot flagpole.

“The pole not only has to be attractive, but also strong enough to withstand wind pressure, especially if installed at Daman-i-Koh or the National Monument,” said an official of the planning wing.

Published in Dawn, June 21st, 2014

Pakistan

Kalbe Ali is a senior staff reporter for Dawn based in Islamabad, with nearly 20 years of field reporting experience. He covers a diverse range of topics, including the internet, IT and telecom sectors, as well as religious affairs.

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iqbal carrim

Jun 21, 2014 11:10am

This is definitely one sure way towards the reconstruction of Pakistan.

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Azfar

Jun 21, 2014 11:25am

Is the comment on CDA expertise an imagined one?

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Fazal

Jun 21, 2014 11:38am

Size of flag doesn't matter. A sincere and honest approach of reconciliation to smaller provinces matters. Rulers of the country lack sincerity and honesty.

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M.M.Sherazi

Jun 21, 2014 11:49am

Great decision, we are really sure that CDA shall find someone suitable who has the expertise and experience to get this massive flagpole erected safely.

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honest

Jun 21, 2014 12:00pm

great idea.

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excalibur

Jun 21, 2014 12:06pm

ridiculous and foolish way to govern Focusing on silly matters when the nation is in a state of war

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Fame

Jun 21, 2014 12:42pm

This is democracy! Tax payer's money is spent on the whims of Prime Minister. Its like a child wanting to have a toy he saw at some store! They call it a democratic system with no accountability on how tax payer's money will be used. A system where Prime Minister will appoint, sack, promote, transfer, use discretionary funds, mend laws, and issue exemptions. Is this not a one man rule! How could anyone call this democracy with no devolution of power and independence of institutions. How could we not snatch the authority from one man to appoint, sack, promote, and transfer government employees. No one wants to give this up!

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baakhlaq

Jun 21, 2014 12:42pm

Have we forgotten the color or design of our flag or do we lack respect for our flag?Symbols of patriotism are very important but deeds and acts expressing love for the country are more important.Instead of hoisting a giant national flag,it would be much better if all the politicians announce of bringing back their capital from the foreign banks.

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Fardad

Jun 21, 2014 12:57pm

Beating about the bush. Idiotic pursuits in diversion, instead of facing ground realities and practical problems. No size of a flag can install confidence in the people unless the rulers themselves are examples of what they want to preach.having Business and money in London and Jeddah but increasing size of Pakistan flag wont't matter.

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Sohraab

Jun 21, 2014 12:57pm

GROW UP PML-N....Giant Flag, Metro Bus etc..etc...Please first put the country in order then think of all the Cosmetic touches.

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Ishrat salim

Jun 21, 2014 12:59pm

Good thinking, but sense of patriotism can be further instilled in each of us, if we feel that our leaders, lawmakers and politicians are honest and un-corruptable and patriotic, we will all install flags on our home, office and cars...like in America.....

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Ahmer

Jun 21, 2014 01:25pm

I can't comprehend some people's reaction here by hailing it as a good decision. I understand that government simply uses these foolish and stupid acts to distract masses from the grim realities in the country. Oh! wait, it just dawned on me (some people's reaction).

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Kaleem

Jun 21, 2014 01:28pm

@excalibur It was NS who took a serious action to put us out of war. No govt has shown courage to directly attack NWA and talk to taliban in their language.

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Mumba - Lappie

Jun 21, 2014 01:35pm

Wasting public money!

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Siplan

Jun 21, 2014 01:51pm

This will eradicate all our problems - extremism, corruption, incompetence, inflation, debt - everything.

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zak

Jun 21, 2014 02:16pm

While the country is in turmoil, this PM wants fruitless gestures. Mr PM no lights, so no one can see the flag.

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Intesar

Jun 21, 2014 03:10pm

Such a ridiculous waste of resources to show patritotism by a discredited PM. People don't need flags, they need security for their lives and livelihood. This flag is just another distraction for the masses so that they look away from all thats being taken from them behind their backs

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waqas

Jun 21, 2014 03:29pm

and the charade continues.....

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abdul

Jun 21, 2014 04:21pm

india will be having the tallest statue in the world of sardar ballabh bhai patel the ex home minister (statue of Unity). probably Mr sharif is eyeing his own statu in few decades,

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Fame

Jun 21, 2014 04:24pm

Tax payer's money is spent on the whims of Prime Minister. Its like a child wanting to have a toy he saw at some store! They call it a democratic system with no accountability on how tax payer's money will be used. A system where Prime Minister will appoint, sack, promote, transfer, use discretionary funds, mend laws, and issue exemptions. Is this not a one man rule! How could anyone call this democracy with no devolution of power and independence of institutions.

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Akram

Jun 21, 2014 04:33pm

waste of money. better to build a school in FATA with the money. We already have Minar-e-Pakistan, Mazar-e-Quaid which means much more than a simple flag.

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NHM

Jun 21, 2014 05:15pm

Menial minds produce menial ideas

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Peshawar wala

Jun 21, 2014 05:19pm

No distraction. No leading the public away from the debate. He and his twin brother need to be held accountable. For the death of 11 people. He is like an onion. Layers and layers protect him. But the population knows what these rwin brothers did in Model Town. Lahore. Let's not worry about flags.

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Mika

Jun 21, 2014 06:13pm

And the Giant Flag will improve our literacy rate to 80% and eliminate loadshedding....when will Nihari end up doing something constructive!

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A concerned Pakistani

Jun 21, 2014 06:22pm

These things do generate and reflect patriotism, but sincere patriotism is hidden only in deeds. Should we expect the current air of patriotism to result in elimination of terrorism from all over the country (not just in Waziristan, and in Punjab province)?

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Fareed (usa)

Jun 21, 2014 06:40pm

History tells us, when Caesars of Rome saw the disenchantment of Roman citizens, they arranged extravagant carnival of sports, including hand to hand combat of gladiators in Coliseum of Rome - all that to divert people's attention from the hunger and other miseries of life. Nawaz Sharif's behaviour is akin to the behaviour of rulers of Rome. He much into fanciful ideas, motor ways, bullet trains & now a giant flag. He believes fluttering of giant flag over Islamabad will alleviate the every day miseries of masses. May be giant flag is answer to acute energy shortage .

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Naeem

Jun 21, 2014 07:17pm

What a waste of public money. PM is intellectually bankrupt. Small mind small idea.

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Agha Ata

Jun 21, 2014 07:29pm

Beautiful idea but risky, too. Militants destroying the giant flag would devastate the nation. But besides a flag, there are many giant things that we haven't even started doing. For example, a giant swimming pool for the health of people, a giant library with histories of Pakistan and other countries, a giant hall for people to gather and having meetings, instead of blocking traffic on the streets, giant ladies club with a garden, and other hobby centers. giant- mini- golf clubs for common men and future golfers

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Ghani K

Jun 21, 2014 08:10pm

Only, intellectually bankrupt , small mind can come up with such an idiotic idea - Flying a giant flag will inculcate patriotism ! a loony tune at its best.

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SYED WASIM HAIDER

Jun 21, 2014 08:27pm

Please govern with grace; nation need no street crime, no corruption, development.

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Naseem

Jun 21, 2014 08:59pm

There should be large flags at all airports to greet visitors. Makes an immediate impact and brands Pakistan. Naseem

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SAL

Jun 21, 2014 09:42pm

Do the people know how to respect a national flag? It is supposed to be raised at sunrise and lowered at sunset. It should be a ceremonial occasion like at Wagah border (on Pakistan side).

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Qamar

Jun 21, 2014 09:48pm

Forget giant flag, provide good honest government. This is what you were elected for. Stop the drama and do your job. Period.

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A concerned Pakistani

Jun 21, 2014 10:28pm

@Ghani K I used to think that way, too, but having lived in a western country for so long, I notice that symbolism does matter and generate some patriotism. Now it is up-to the leaders to demonstrate that they are not just after symbolism, because that distract people.

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Jun 22, 2014 01:14am

It becomes a tourist attraction. Other cities in India have such huge flagpoles too. Not only Delhi. Bangalore for instance. Delhi's is monumental though. All SAARC capitals should have a park with huge flags of all SAARC nations. We should form an alliance and let our armies face outwards than at each other. So many external players in our region!

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khan

Jun 22, 2014 02:27am

541 sq feet cannot cover all the problems Mr PM. Neither is 200 feet is gonna make that cover up any safer..I am for flag hoesting and parriotism but tax payer's money has much better uses than this for sure.

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dave clarke

Jun 22, 2014 02:30am

It is totally, shocking how shallow the comments that I have read and do read on daily basis. The joe public opinion, but this anti government agenda is not good to the democracy. It also need to be understood the government is trying hard to keep unity in a disfigured nation of Pakistan. Do people of walks pay taxes no, e.g. your electricity billing is 300 rupees, you tell the meter boy to right down 50 rupee an you give him 50 rupees. Unfortunately I have lived in Pakistan in the past and horrified with the fact the corruption is deeply embedded in your society, from a humble to the rich. Firstly look at yourselves and see how honest you are then speak of others. Nations building public grandeur to entice people their people and keep the morale high. Pakistan needs to be together. The current government is trying hard to bring change, but change only comes slowly especially in case of Pakistan, which is infected with some many problems !

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Kala Ingrez -

Jun 22, 2014 02:51am

Why not decentralize the central government and create new jobs? Build new and repair old federal offices and buildings all across the nation along with parks with washrooms, and not to mention giant flags - this move will strongly withstand any pressure. Sounds like a novel idea of Nation-building and sharing jobs.

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Sonny Afridi

Jun 22, 2014 05:27am

Great decision. Our flag is a holy and sacred one. Pakistan Zindabad

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Asif Malik

Jun 22, 2014 05:35am

@Fame We are lucky he was only impressed by the flag. Kareena kapoor would have been a much bigger problem.

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NASAH (USA)

Jun 22, 2014 05:38am

The size of the flag is not the measure of Pakistani patriotism -- elimination of insurgency is.

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Ahmer

Jun 22, 2014 06:06am

Another gimmick to distract the attention of the people from the problems facing them.

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Ahmer

Jun 22, 2014 06:18am

What else did we elect a thrice failed PM except for such gimmicks?

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Muhammad

Jun 22, 2014 07:32am

Hurrah!!! We are finally getting the only missing element for our success. A giant flag. Masha Allah.

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event horizon

Jun 22, 2014 07:56am

Please do not waste tax payers money. There are so many ultra poor people in the country. Can you please do something for them? However, if you want to show off with big flags or tall buildings, of course you can go ahead but with your own money.

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Babbarsher Khan

Jun 22, 2014 08:27am

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Kashif Shahzad

Jun 22, 2014 09:50am

As you wish Mr. Prime minister. If you have seen something else which counts as "FANCY", then please order right now. And don't worry about the money, we have good amount of TAX MONEY to use, and also you don't have to worry about any other ISSUES, seriously who told you that we have electricity problem.

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TAM

Jun 22, 2014 09:56am

Being pushed aside and considered minority, it is about time the flag was made all green without the white stripe.

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Lahore Street Beggar

Jun 22, 2014 10:46am

Our flag is more in size than India's, probably biggest in the world. We are the greatest people in the world. Unable to speak further as I am overwhelmed with joy at this flag hoisting. We would have invited Saudi king for the inauguration of this great achievement.

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ramiz

Jun 22, 2014 11:25am

Best idea to come out of pakistan in 100 yrs.

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Shakir

Jun 22, 2014 11:41am

@iqbal carrim can u pls explain how come reconstruction of Pakistan would be possaible with such a childish wish of PM, while all their illegally earned money are in foreign banks and people starving here.....??

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ahmad jehanzeb khan

Jun 22, 2014 11:46am

PM should be considering more on making nation 'giant' , instead its flag only.

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Fareed

Jun 22, 2014 11:58am

This is a good idea. I feel Damne Koh is the most visible spot for such a flag; seen a similar flagpole at Taksim Square, Istanbul. Just don't engage foreign experts to do the job. I am sure Pakistani engineers can manage this much!

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Nizamuddin Ahmad Aali

Jun 22, 2014 06:05pm

I wonder where he gets the idea of like this. The PM should make good on the spirit of the flag and not the large size of fabric with crescent and star. My guess is that he got the idea from Turkey where all the public and private buildings are wrapped in their red flag, which look beautiful. Here is the reality, Mr. PM. Turkey has had GDP increase of 19 % per year for the last 19 years. This phenomenon has been unheard of in modern history. Why, practice of transparency and truth. Mr. PM, go for the later idea and do something for the people of Pakistan. Flags and metro will not help the Pakistanis, but food for every one, education for every child and shelter for every family should be your goal. You should also star thinkingt like a statesman and not a kid who tries to be who he is not. Act like grown a up.

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Zohaib

Jun 22, 2014 09:40pm

Hurreyy...this should increase our moral and end problems like power shortage, corruption and bomb blasts. Cheers....

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Sarwat

Jun 23, 2014 03:10am

I guess this the most pressing issue PM has on his desk. Well done PM, while the country is at war with itself you want a bigger flag. Bravo!

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