Sales of national flags and badges during the Independence Day have hit record high of Rs 10 billion, up by 15 times, traders have said. Traders said that the record sales of flags within few days by public showed a rise of patriotism in the metropolis that had been in a grip of violence, target killings and widespread unrest for years. They attributed the return of peace to the growth in business activities.
"Sales of flags, badges and other ornaments have grown by some 15 times as compared to their sales in the past years," Chairman All Karachi Tajir Ittehad, Atiq Mir said that "Independence Day has become the second biggest event after Eidul Fitr in the city".
He said that the citizens had purchased some 50 million flags to celebrate the Independence Day on August 14. "Public showed great enthusiasm on August 14 with decorating their streets, houses and vehicles with national flags," he said, the enthusiasm had contributed to the sales growth. Children and youth dressed up with the green and white colour shirts, he said.