Valentine Day was celebrated in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad with many thronging to the markets to purchase flowers, heart-shaped cards, balloons, chocolates, toys and other gifts for their loved ones. With each passing year Valentine day is gaining popularity among Pakistan's youth. For gift shops and florists, the day provides an opportunity for increased sales and profit.
Valentine Day was the busiest day of the year for florists as the sale of flowers increased hundred folds, stated a florist in Islamabad's Jinnah Super market. Retailers in Jinnah Super, Super, Aabpara market, Saddar Rawalpindi, Murree Road, Raja Bazaar and Commercial Market Satellite town now routinely increase prices of an entire range of the flowers baskets (domestic and imported) on Valentine's Day. A basket of flower imported from Holland was available at Rs 1,500-2,000 on Valentine Day against Rs 700-1,500 normal day price while domestic flower bouquet was being sold at Rs 700-800 against Rs 300-400 normal day price.
Teddy bears carrying red hearts, cards and other items flooded the shops. Bakeries offered heart-shaped chocolate cakes and cookies wrapped in heart-shaped red boxes. All shops and restaurants in the posh areas of the twin cities were decorated with heart-shaped balloons. Young street vendors, who usually sell toys and other items, were selling red balloons and roses on the day.
Sumaira Kanwal, a teacher by profession while standing at a flower shop in Jinnah Super told Business Recorder, "Valentine's Day offers the opportunity to show the person we love that we care". This correspondent also met with many who stated that Valentine Day is a Western festival and against the cultural values of the country.
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