The flag of Pakistan is referred to as Parcham-e-Sitāra-o-Hilāl (a flag with star and moon) in the national anthem. It was approved as the national flag on Aug 11, 1947, by the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan, after first Prime Minister of Pakistan Nawabzada Liaquat Ali Khan presented it in the assembly.
On wish of Quaid e Azam Muhammed Ali Jinnah, Pakistani flag was first officially waved by Maulana Shabbir Ahmed Usmani in Karachi and by Maulana Zafar Ahmed Usmani in Dhaka.
The national flag of Pakistan was based on the original flag of the Muslim League, which was designed by Syed Amir uddin Kedwaii. No change was made in the flag when Pakistan got independence nor when the country separated from Bangladesh.
The white vertical stripe of the flag, represents all the minorities and religious groups of the country. While, the dark green part of the flag represents Muslim majority. The crescent on the flag represents progress and the five-rayed star represents light and knowledge.
Also Read: Story of first coin of Pakistan
Iran was the first country to recognize Pakistan after independence, when Pakistan had two parts one on the east and the other on the west (today’s Bangladesh).
Occasions the flag is hoisted at full-mast are as follows: Pakistan Day (March 23), Independence Day (August 14), Quaid-e-Azam Muhammed Ali Jinnah’s birthday (December 25), such other national days as may be notified by the government.
Days when the flag is hoisted at half-mast: Death anniversary of Allama Muhammad Iqbal (April 21), Death anniversary of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammed Ali Jinnah (September 11), Death anniversary of Liaquat Ali Khan (October 16), any other day notified by the government.
Some Notable Milestones: Minority community of Pakistan led by Pakistan Hindu Council Patron in Chief Ramesh Kumar Vankwani set the world record of making the largest flag with the help of balloons in Aug 2019. The Guinness Book of World Records has the record in August 2020.
People unfurled a two mile long flag in Quetta in Aug 2017.
In Feb 2014, about 29, 040 people gathered at Lahore cricket stadium to form the flag of Pakistan comprising humans by setting a new world record certified by Guinness Book of World Records.
In August, 2004, a 340 × 510 ft (173,400 square foot) flag of Pakistan was rolled out at the National Stadium Karachi, setting the world record for the largest flag.
