KARACHI: As Pakistan gears up to celebrate its independence day on Aug. 14, national festivities have generated economic activity worth billions of rupees.
But according to importers and dealers, the country meets 75-80 percent of demand for celebratory merchandise — such as flags, badges, bunting and hats — by importing them from neighboring China.
“Although there’s no official data available, we estimate economic activities spurred by independence day festivities at between 10 billion ($81 million) and 20 billion rupees,” Atiq Mir, chairman of All Karachi Tajir Ittehad — an umbrella organization of nearly 100 market associations in the port city of Karachi — told Arab News on Sunday.
Importer Abdullah Abdul Habib told Arab News: “This year, demand for stuff required for independence day celebrations has increased by 30-40 percent.”
He said: “The growing demand has been met by importing the required products from China since the local industry is unable to meet such high demand.”
He added: “The variety of products and the ability to supply them are among the main reasons why Chinese goods are in such great demand.”
He said: “The number of importers has increased, not only in Karachi but also in Lahore, Quetta and Peshawar.”
As independence day approaches, the number of temporary vending stalls has increased. “I run a paper business nearby, but due to the high profit margin I’ve set up this stall at the main market,” said Sarfraz, a vendor at the famous Pakistan Chowk.
Purchases of clothes in green and white, Pakistan’s national colors, are surging, and websites are offering “freedom discounts.”
Pakistan came into existence on Aug. 14, 1947, with the partition of the Indian subcontinent, which had been a British colony since 1849.
Pakistan independence celebrations cause surge in economic activity
Pakistan independence celebrations cause surge in economic activity
- Pakistan meets 75-80 percent of demand for celebratory merchandise — such as flags, badges, bunting and hats — by importing them from neighboring China
- Online shopping websites are also offering incentive packages and special ‘freedom discounts’ to internet users
Omani, Pakistani navies conduct joint passage exercise to enhance interoperability
- The development came as a Pakistani flotilla visited Port Sultan Qaboos in Muscat on overseas deployment
- Pakistan, Oman are maritime neighbors and frequently hold visits of dignitaries, port calls and joint exercises
ISLAMABAD: The Omani and Pakistani navies conducted a joint passage exercise in regional waters aimed at enhancing interoperability and strengthening maritime cooperation between the two countries, Pakistan Navy said on Sunday.
The development came after a Pakistani flotilla, comprising naval ships Rah Naward and Madadgar and a Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) ship PMSS Kashmir, visited Port Sultan Qaboos in Muscat, according to the Directorate General Public Relations (DGPR) of Pakistan Navy.
“Following the port call, PN and PMSA ships conducted a passage exercise with Royal Oman Navy ship KHASAB,” the DGPR said in a statement.
“The exercise at sea aimed to enhance interoperability between the two navies and promote shared learning through bilateral conduct of naval exercises.”
During the visit, Pakistani Mission Commander Commodore Amir Iqbal, along with commanding officers, held meetings with Omani naval leadership, according to the statement.
“During these interactions, matters of mutual interest, navy-to-navy engagements, and cooperation in maritime security were discussed,” the statement read.
“RNO (Royal Navy of Oman) officers and midshipmen also visited onboard ships and discussed topics of mutual maritime interest with PN officers.”
Pakistan and Oman are maritime neighbors and frequently hold visits of dignitaries, port calls by ships and joint exercises.
Last month, naval commanders of Pakistan and Oman met in Islamabad and signed an agreement to share shipping information with each other.
“The MoU is aimed at establishing of guidelines and procedures for information sharing in order to enhance mutual awareness of white shipping,” Pakistan Navy said in a statement.
