Flag of Pakistan (History and Facts)

Dear Laureate Folks,

Today we will discuss the history of flags, Symbolism, Importance, and uniqueness. Then we will come to know the history and facts of the Flag of Pakistan.

Are you ready to read?

Let,s Start,

It is to be known that the national flag of any country symbolizes its identity and uniqueness from other countries originated as a military standard. It represents a symbol of pride, self-reliance, honor, dignity, patriotism, nationalism, origin, and the notion that every country-owned it's land (proclaim a possession) and people (proclaim sovereignty) having the same race, culture, religious beliefs, values, language, society, currency, and history, etc.

Every national flag has a specific meaning through the core selection of colors and symbols. Historically, its origin starts in the 17^th and late 18^th century when flags started to be displayed. Like, the US flag was first adopted in 1777 as a naval ensign and later on began to be displayed as a symbol after the American Revolution. The same Ottoman flag was adopted in 1844 that later on became the flag of Turkey. Then we see that the European countries adopted their national flags in 19^th and early 20^th century. Flags of Japan and China were introduced in 1870 and 1890 respectively. Then this trend keeps going on and on and every country started displaying its flags after getting independence in all continents and subcontinents.

Now, the national flags are used on each country’s land and sea. On land, there are three types like civil flags, state flags, and military or war flags. The same at sea, the nationality on a ship is called as an ensign with three varieties like civil ensign, state ensign, and naval or war ensigns.

Talking about the most popular colors designed and used by most of the countries are white, green, red, blue, and yellow with different dark and light shades. Every color psychologically and artistically has some standard meanings; green meaning prosperity, white meaning innocence, and purity, red color denotes hardiness and valor, etc. currently there is a total of 195 countries that are having their flags including Pakistan.

History of Flag of Pakistan

Pakistan was carved out from British India as a home for Indian Muslims and have got independence on 14^th August 1947 and got its land comprised of 217.925 million acres of land with now more than of 200.96 million inhabitants population. It was Mr. Rahmat Ali who has coined the name of Pakistan envisioned to have a separate state for Muslims under the leadership of Quaid e Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah and his team. The flag of Pakistan was designed by Mr. Amirruddin Kidwai and stitched by Master Altaf Hussain. It was wholly based on the All-India Muslim League flag at the request of Quaid e Azam in June 1947. The national flag of Pakistan was officially adopted on August 11, 1947, in the meeting of the Constituent assembly three days before its independence and presented by Nawabzada Liaquat Ali Khan. The flag of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is retained with Dark Green and White color combination with a white crescent moon and five rayed star in the center. We take the dark green color as a representation of Green Pakistan (Muslim majority) and white for peace (religious minorities). The crescent represents prosperity and progress and the five-pointed star represents light and knowledge. The flag of Pakistan directly symbolizes Pakistan's commitment to Islam and the rights of religious minorities living in it. The Pakistani flag flew on foreign soil for the first time on 15^th August 1947 before the whole of the world.

 It is officially flown on several important days like Independence Day (14^th August 1947), Republic Day (1956), Defense Day (6^th September), Lahore Resolution (1940), Birthday, and Death anniversaries of Father of the Nation and National Poet Muhammad Iqbal. It is often hosted in all public and private sector institutions of Pakistan. Every day, flag raising and the lowering ceremony is held with great pomp of national anthem at Wahga Border Lahore.

In the third verse "پرچم ستارہ و ہلال، رہبر ترقی و کمال." of our national anthem, our flag is translated as "Flag with the Star and Crescent, the leader of progress and ascent".

As we all know that the Pakistan Flag is based on the original flag of the Indian Muslim League, which itself drew inspiration from the flag of the Sultanate of Dehli, the flag of the Mughal Empire, and the flag of the Ottoman Empire.

It is to be said that after the downfall of the Ottoman Empire in 1920-1923 (after the Second World War), the new Khilafat movement was started in the 19^th century. While the Indian Muslim League has also started its movement in 1919. On the other hand, Turkey is formed by The Treaty of Lausanne that was signed on 24 July 1923. Then, Ankara officially became the capital of the new Turkish state on 13^th October. After that on 29^th October, the Turkish state was proclaimed and appointed Mustafa Kemal as its first president. The Turkish flag is also directly derived from the Ottoman Empire flag and legally standardized on 29^th May 1936 under the Turkish flag.

In my opinion, both Pakistan and Turkey has the same flag pattern with a new color scheme as the Ottoman Empire. The Empire was known as the castle of Islam. And now in the current period, it is to be predicted that Pakistan will be the future castle of Islam as one and only Atomic Power Muslim country in the world.

Reference: Wikipedia

Friends, we have learned why flags are important and what it symbolizes for a nation.

Stay Tuned; Stay Blessed!

Regards,

Muhammad Naeem