Islamabad: Lovers in Pakistan looking forward to celebrating this Valentine’s Day should brace for conflict. Islamabad, as it turns out, has decided to impose a ban on the Valentine’s Day gifts or any promotion of the day celebrating love.
The celebration of Valentine’s Day on February 14 has been criticized by Islamists who see such celebration of love as an ‘insult’ to Islam.
The decision to ban Valentine’s Day celebrations was taken at the orders of Pakistan’s Interior minister Nisar Ali Khan.
The ban has, however, not been announced officially. It will be enforced through capital administration and a formal notification will be issued by Islamabad deputy commissioner, an official said.
The Valentine’s Day activities have often been disrupted in the past by the supporters of hardline Jamaat-e-Islam, but it is for the first time that the state has intervened to ban the festivities of the day.
- (With inputs from PTI)