ISLAMABAD, July 26: The Rawalpindi Bench of the Lahore High Court has been requested to issue guidelines to check the desecration of the national flag especially during important national days.

Filed by Tahir Muzaffar Raja, the petitioner has invited the attention of the superior court towards the fact that even cartoons were printed along with the pictures of national heroes on the national flag, supposed to be the symbol of national pride, in clear violation of its dignity and honour. Advocate Bashir Ahmad Ansari is pleading his case.

Since the Independence Day (August 14) is fast approaching and again flags would be printed, distributed and displayed at different places in disregard of its dignity, the high court has been asked to issue some directions to discourage the use of the flag by all and sundry. The cabinet division, Establishment Division, Ministry of Law and Justice and the Interior Ministry are respondents in the petition.

On important days, flags are flown by general public in disregard to its honour and seen hoisted at places which is not proper. Often the flags are touching grounds and unfortunately find its way ultimately to the waste bin.

In his petition, the petitioner contended that flags of different sizes were being produced by unauthorized persons to earn quick bucks without realising that even the colour and material they were using was not proper and printing of cartoons was in fact a mockery to the respect of the flag.

Sometimes the flag is printed on the piece of paper and mercilessly hung on trees, walls or electricity poles in the most disrespectful manner, he contended adding neither any proper care had ever been taken to maintain it nor was proper method ever used during hoisting or lowering of the flag.

After hectic efforts, he contended, the petitioner was able to procure a gazette notification issued by the interior ministry on April 13, 1989, which laid down rules and instructions regulating the use of the Pakistan flag.

Perusal of the notification will show that though we have certain rules and regulations for maintaining the dignity of the flag, ironically no attempt was ever made on part of the government to implement the rules in letter and spirit, he deplored.

Attention of the respondents have also been sought repeatedly through letters towards the state of affairs but to no avail, he contended adding a line should be drawn as to who was entitled to the use of the flag. He has requested the high court to direct the respondents to issue a law similar to the one being practised in countries like USA, China and India to maintain the dignity of the flag.

Due respect and honour of the flag is necessary, according to the notification, and it should never be subjected to any indignity, or draped over the hood, top sides or back of a vehicle, railway train or a boat.

The notification says that the flag should never be lowered into the grave or touch the ground and should always aloft and free.

The law required that the flag should never touch any object beneath it like floor, water, or merchandise, or should never be used as drapery or any sort and should never be hoisted, displayed, used or stored in a manner that it could easily be torn, soiled or damaged in any way. It should always be flown only from sunrise to sunset.

Except for permission in writing, the flag should never be used in any trade mark, or design or the title of any patent or for the purpose of any trade or business.

When in a condition that it can not be used, the flag should be disposed of in a dignified manner preferably by burning, the notification suggested.