Valentine In Pakistan – 14th February, 2012

Once again Valentine will be celebrated in Pakistan on 14th February, 2012 (Tuesday). Many people in Pakistan believe that this valentine day is hurting our culture very badly and is also misleading our youth. Many television shows are airing valentine related programs. Geo news show Khabarnak was Valentine Special this week. The Shareef Show hosted by Umer Sharif was also Valentine’s Day Special.

Almost all the mobile phone operators in Pakistan which include Mobilink, Telenor, Ufone, Warid and Zong are send SMS related to valentine to their subscribers. Different shopping malls in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad and other major cities have also decorated malls in accordance with Valentine’s Day.

In Karachi Dolmen Mall, Clifton, Park Towers at Clifton, the Forum Shopping Complex also at Clifton have decorated malls especially for the Valentine’s Day.

Couples meet on Valentine’0s day and give roses, choclates, cards and heart shaped balloons to each other. Parties are arranged for Valentine’s Day where couples can go. Many couples go on dating points to celebrate this day.

Heart shaped balloon prices also go on high on 14th February. Also in universities it has been seen that couples celebrate this day. In University of Karachi, Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture, University of the Punjab, King Edward Medical University, National College of Arts many girls are seen in red colour dress.

Recently Women’s colleges and universities’ administrations along with the Islami Jamiat-e-Talba (IJT) started an anti-Valentine’s Day campaign to stop female students from celebrating the day.

The anti-Valentines Day campaign is continuing at the King Edward Medical University, Lahore College for Women University (LCWU), APWA College Lahore, Fatima Jinnah Medical College, Samanabad Degree College, and other colleges where the IJT has strong foundations.

Many youth are involved in this event and most of the private TV channels in Pakistan have also arranged special shows for Valentine’s Day. As this day in not in our religion and tradition therefore it should be avoided and youth should be educated that this day is only causing harm to them in larger context.