Record Rs 15 billion sale of Independence Day-related items registered in Karachi

Sales of national flags, badges and ornaments hit a new record of Rs 15 billion this year, as millions celebrated the 70th anniversary of Pakistan Independence Day across the metropolis on Monday. Children wore green and white costumes, hoisted national flags on rooftops of their homes and played traditional patriotic songs to mark the Independence Day. Immense patriotic zeal was witnessed as security arrangements were airtight.
As soon as clock struck 12 am, like entire Pakistan, Karachi also saw the start of widespread celebrations as firecrackers illuminated the horizons. Jubilant youths took to the streets on bikes to throng different areas especially the sea sides to enjoy the celebrations.
"Sale of national flags, buntings, green and white T-shirts, wristbands, hair-bands, trousers, masks, balloons, bracelets, bangles, cakes, badges, ornaments, audio and video CDs of patriotic songs and other celebration-related items hit a new height of Rs 15 billion, this year," chairman All Karachi Tajir Ittehad, Muhammad Atiq Mir said, adding that "the public purchased 50 millions of national flags."
He said that credit of the record sales goes to Pakistan Army and Pakistan Rangers (Sindh) because they restored peace in Karachi and a peaceful environment and high-sense of security brought out the public to participate in the national day celebrations.
Rangers and police ensured a secured environment for public to go out with families to celebrate the Independence Day. Tens of thousands visited Mazar-e-Quaid where children enjoyed the Independence Day activities and songs. Hawkesbay, Karachi Zoological Garden, Clifton beach, Sea View, Native Jetty, Bin Qasim Park and several other recreational places were seen flooded with the enthusiastic public.
Earlier, the sun rose with the Navy cadets' parade performance at the Mazar-e-Quaid to mark the day. Sindh Governor, Muhammad Zubair and Chief Minister, Syed Murad Ali Shah with his provincial cabinet, attended the flag-hoisting ceremony, besides offering fateha and also laid floral wreaths at the grave of Quaid-e-Azam, Muhammad Ali Jinnah - the founder of Pakistan.
"Public showed an unprecedented fervour and patriotism as traders saw an increase of 25 percent or Rs 5 billion sales of flags and other celebration items in 2017 as compared to the last year's sales of Rs 10 billion," Atiq Mir said, calling the 14th August celebrations as the second bigger national event after Eidul Fitr. A disordered vehicular traffic created a massive gridlock especially on M.A. Jinnah Road, Shaarey Faisal, Sea View, Hawkesbay, Zoological Garden and other celebration spots. Traffic police failed to manage the flood of vehicles.
Wrong way traffic was one of the key reasons behind gridlock in every part of the city. Authorities had to intervene to hold back hundreds of visitors at the main entrance of the Mazar-e-Quaid. Trucks, vans and buses decorated with national flags and buntings played loud national and traditional songs that attracted huge crowd on roads especially the youths to dance. Scores of roadside stalls to sell flags, badges, face-paintings; stickers and gorgeous items were set up.
Markets and public places became source of attraction for the people with beautiful decorations, illuminations and big flags. Various government and private organizations also organized events to mark the Independence Day. Newspapers published supplements while TV channels and Radio Pakistan aired programs in connection with the Independence Day. DG Rangers, representatives of armed forces and Karachi Mayor Waseem Akhtar also visited the Mazar-e-Quaid to pay homage to Quaid-e-Azam. Besides, different schools' bands performed songs at the Quaid's mausoleum.