EVERY year, as soon as the month of August begins, and the footpaths are encroached by vendors selling big and little Pakistan flags and so much more associated with Pakistan’s Independence Day, no one seems to mind the encroachments as everyone gets into the spirit of the occasion to shop for something or the other from them. The memorabilia available at these temporary little shops, which quickly wrap up after August 14, is much more than just flags and badges. There are a variety of green and white masks, different style caps and hats, hair and head bands, Alice bands, bandanna, clips, green and silver bangles, other jewellery, including green and white bead necklaces, wrist bands and so much more.

To decorate your home, there are the flag buntings and little Pakistan flags packed together in bundles of 1,000 that can be strewn together by yourself, too. The fabric flags, meanwhile, are a must for all. Every household has at least one big flag to hoist or hang from their terraces, balconies, windows, etc, on Independence Day. Those that have started showing wear and tear can be replaced. Then there are some people who cover their car bonnets with a big flag. Also there are the flags fluttering from your car windows.

There are also special foil balloons in the shape of the crescent and star available around this time, particularly near the KPT underpass at Clifton. Or one can do up their place by getting a combination of silver, white and green balloons filled with helium or hydrogen gas. The vendors say that they pick and choose their merchandise from the Paper Market on Hasan Ali Effendi Road off M.A. Jinnah Road. “There is a variety to choose from there. We buy at wholesale rates to set up our own little shops here and there,” says one vendor on Korangi Road. “It gives us good business around this time.”

Earlier, many youngsters used to don the Pakistan cricket jersey on August 14. But this year, boutiques and shops are also offering Independence Day wear from T-shirts to children’s clothing and women’s shirts and kurtas to wear on the occasion, which is just like celebrating Eid for Pakistanis anywhere in the world. That is also why these things make for good presents for friends and family who may be living abroad. The clothing can also be ordered on-line from one of the home shopping networks.

Published in Dawn, August 7th, 2016