KARACHI: The sale of all sizes of Pakistani flags, green and white garments, especially for kids, badges, bangles, T-shirts and other items hit an all-time high as people celebrated Independence Day with a renewed zeal this year, market officials said.

This year, Independence Day celebrations, titled Marka-i-Haq, began from August 1 to mark the country’s victory against India in the four-day war in May.

While neither the government nor any private sector organisation maintain any sale data, many market people say that the sale of Independence Day related items was three to four times high, breaking all past records.

Giving conservative estimates, some market people claim only a 60 per cent rise in sales, fearing that higher figures might attract the attention of the tax authorities amid record-high sales.

Business of green & white clothing, badges, and Pakistani flags has crossed Rs1bn mark in Karachi alone, says Sharjeel Goplani

Private sector and businessmen have also shown great zeal this year by arranging flag hoisting ceremonies besides decorating their respective units and hoisting large sized flags on the businesses premises.

Rallies, fireworks and sporting events from August 1-14 were also arranged by political parties and the private sector organisations. Big cakes with Pakistan flag designs in large numbers were also prepared and cut at various events.

Hassan Ali Effendi Road, often called paper market, remained open till late night on August 13 owing to a huge rush of buyers.

Retailers were excited as not only their current stocks had remained in high demand, but their unsold stocks of last year were also cleared.

Green and white suits for children and adults, including Pakistani flag badges and small flags were also in high demand as a majority of schools held special assembly sessions to commemorate Independence Day a day earlier on August 13.

Patron in chief of All City Tajir Itehad Association Sharjeel Goplani said that this year was an exception in the country’s history of celebrating Independence Day as sales of various items and accessories had crossed “Rs1 billion mark” in Karachi alone, which was 60 per cent higher than last year.

He said business of large strings of LED lights especially of green and white colours, children garments, hair bands, mufflers, flags, badges, gloves, etc, remained robust.

The market also saw arrival of Chinese items like hair bands, colourful electric LED lights, plastic jewellery items, etc.

“In previous years, I used to attend only two to three programs relating to flag hoisting on 14 August. This year, I have attended six events on August 13 alone,” he said, adding that he remained busy from August 1-14 in attending flag hoisting ceremonies in the city.

Owner of VIP flags, Sheikh Nisar Ahmed Parchamwala, said: “I think sales of Independence Day items have remained 50 per cent higher than the last year, but it has remained all-time high in the country’s history.”

Published in Dawn, August 17th, 2025