N.H.Zuberi

KARACHI: The sale of national flags and stickers is gaining momentum and customers, especially children, thronged shops selling national flags, stickers and badges.

A large number of people were seen selecting the national flag and green T-shirts at roadside stalls in preparation for the 70 Independence Day on Monday. National flags are available in various sizes, each costing between Rs345 and Rs480. For a flag measuring 2ft by 3ft, prices can be as high as Rs2,800. At 9ft by 6ft, the flag can fetch Rs4,000.

Every year people celebrate the Independence Day by decorating their houses, shops, roadsides and offices with flags, lighting and banners.

The rise in the sales of the national flag is a regular occurrence in days preceding the Independence Day.

Vendors have decorated shops to attract attention of customers, especially children. Apart from the national flag, banners, stickers and badges, another selling item is pictures of national heroes.

The business of these items at all stores and roadside kiosks starts peaking right from the first day of August. Some shopkeepers said that the demand from upcountry is particularly high this year. The most enthusiastic are children who are busy collecting stickers and badges, and decorating their bicycles with stickers inscribed with Independence Day messages. Meanwhile, Dolmen Mall, one of the largest shopping destinations in Pakistan, is all set to launch one of the grandest celebrations on Pakistan’s Independence Day.