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Monday April 29, 2024

Why can’t we get it right?

A national flag is a flag that symbolises a country. The flag is flown by the government, but usually can also be flown by citizens of the country. Because the anniversary of our Independence is just a week away, our national flag is being sold across the country in all

By Ishrat Hyatt
August 10, 2015
A national flag is a flag that symbolises a country. The flag is flown by the government, but usually can also be flown by citizens of the country. Because the anniversary of our Independence is just a week away, our national flag is being sold across the country in all sizes and all those who want to show their patriotism are buying one to fly on their house and their car or any other vehicle of transport they own.
Unfortunately, there are many unnecessary additions to some flags -- the sanctity of a national flag should be kept in mind -- and the correct shade of green is not used, whether they are made of cloth; plastic or paper, as manufacturers do not care to take the trouble of taking care of this anomaly as long as their product sells. The end result is flags in all shades of green -- something that may qualify us to compete in the Guinness Book of World Records for the ‘number of different shades of green used for a national flag.’ Wikipedia lists at least 65 shades and tints and I’m sure we can beat this list as well!
Levity aside, more care should be taken as far as the national flag is concerned. The ratio of green and white; the correct colour of green and even its dimensions, whether scaled up, down or of a regular size. According to information about the national flag, it was adopted in its present form during a meeting of the Constituent Assembly on August 11, 1947, just three days before the country's independence, when it became the official flag of the Dominion of Pakistan and was retained by the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. The flag is described as ‘a green field with a white crescent moon and five point star at its centre and a vertical white stripe at the hoist side’ -- to represent the minorities. Though the green colour is mandated only as 'dark green', its official and most consistent representation is ‘Pakistan green,’ which is shaded distinctively darker. The flag was designed by Amiruddin Kidwai and is based on the All-India Muslim League flag.
Here are some interesting facts about flags. The art and practice of designing flags is known as vexillography. The design of national flags has seen a number of customs become apparent. All national flags are rectangular, except for the flag of Nepal. The ratios of height to width vary among national flags, but none is taller than it is wide, again except for the flag of Nepal. The flags of Switzerland and the Vatican City are the only national flags which are exact squares. The obverse and reverse of all national flags are either identical or mirrored, except for the flag of Paraguay and the partially-recognised Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic. Both public and private buildings such as schools and courthouses may fly the national flag. In some countries, the national flags are only flown from non-military buildings on certain flag days.