Pakistanis celebrate 69th Independence Day

Published August 14, 2015
A man with a painted flag  in Peshawar.  — AP
A man with a painted flag in Peshawar. — AP
Labourer working at a printing press busy in printing national 
flags bunting on arrival of Pakistan Independence Day ahead on August 14, at Pakistan Chowk 
in Karachi. ─ PPI
Labourer working at a printing press busy in printing national flags bunting on arrival of Pakistan Independence Day ahead on August 14, at Pakistan Chowk in Karachi. ─ PPI
A whole sale dealer in Rawalpindi arranging the Independence Day related commodities at Urdu Bazaar as the nation starts preparations to celebrate the Independence Day of Pakistan in befitting manners. ─ INP
A whole sale dealer in Rawalpindi arranging the Independence Day related commodities at Urdu Bazaar as the nation starts preparations to celebrate the Independence Day of Pakistan in befitting manners. ─ INP
A band performs a national song in Lahore. — Reuters
A band performs a national song in Lahore. — Reuters
Children hold toy guns and dress as army soldiers to attract customers into their father's stall selling national flags ahead of country's 69th Independence Day in Islamabad. — AP
Children hold toy guns and dress as army soldiers to attract customers into their father's stall selling national flags ahead of country's 69th Independence Day in Islamabad. — AP
Youngsters wear masks painted in the design of the national flag. — AP
Youngsters wear masks painted in the design of the national flag. — AP
People celebrate the country's upcoming 69th Independence Day in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. — AP
People celebrate the country's upcoming 69th Independence Day in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. — AP
People watch a fireworks display marking Independence Day in Islamabad on August 13, 2015.  — AFP
People watch a fireworks display marking Independence Day in Islamabad on August 13, 2015. — AFP
People gather near a national flag during a ceremony to celebrate the country's 69th Independence Day at the mausoleum of Muhammad Ali Jinnah in Karachi, Pakistan, August 14, 2015.  — Reuters
People gather near a national flag during a ceremony to celebrate the country's 69th Independence Day at the mausoleum of Muhammad Ali Jinnah in Karachi, Pakistan, August 14, 2015. — Reuters
People holding national flag at Minar e Pakistan in connection to Independence Day, in Lahore.— Online
People holding national flag at Minar e Pakistan in connection to Independence Day, in Lahore.— Online

As Pakistan's 69th Independence Day comes around, Pakistanis across the country flock to stalls and vendors to buy national flags of different shapes and sizes to show their patriotic fervour.

The show of patriotism doesn't end with flags ─ shirts, dresses, balloons and badges, as well as other memorabilia bedecked in the hallmark green and white, emblazoned with the national flag, are a hot commodity as citizens throng the markets, surveying the colourful and quirky offerings.

In Quetta, the streets are full of national fervour as people buy patriotic merchandise from the dozens of vendors that have set up shop. People of all age groups are busy buying flags and clothing apparel that shows off their love for Pakistan. Anticipating high demand, vendors started selling Independence Day products as soon as the month of August began.

"The people over here ─ especially children ─ celebrate Independence Day with a lot of pride," one Quetta vendor told DawnNews. "The products people buy the most in order to celebrate are hats, flags and badges."

Read more: Independence day celebrations in full swing

Flag printing
Students carry a national flag as they march on a street ahead of the country's forthcoming Independence Day celebrations in Karachi. — AFP
Students carry a national flag as they march on a street ahead of the country's forthcoming Independence Day celebrations in Karachi. — AFP

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