The National flag of Pakistan was designed by the founder of Pakistan Mr. Mohammed Ali Jinnah. The flag itself is dark green in color with a white bar, a white crescent in the center and a five pointed star. Each color and symbol used in the flag has its own specific importance. The white bar and the dark green field are symbols for minorities and Muslim majorities. The crescent on the flag is representative of progress and the five rayed star signifies light and knowledge.
However there is also a controversial belief that the actual designer of the flag was not the Quaid but Amir-ud-din khidwai. Some believe that it was neither of them but Master Afzal Hussain, yet it is still unclear as to who was the actual designer. According to the government’s web page, the designer was the Quaid, Mohammad Ali Jinnah.
Pakistan’s national flag is flown on the offices and official residences of VIPs and government’s top officials when they are home. The size of the flag is different for use in different places or on different occasions. The sizes of flags for ceremonial occasions, for use over buildings, for cars and for tables are all different from each other. There are many occasions on which the Pakistani flag is traditionally hung or flown. These occasions are Pakistan Day which is on the 23rd of March, Independence Day on 14th August, Quaid-e-Azam’s Birthday on the 25th of December, and other various days specified by the government from time to time.
There are also specific days on which the flag is at half-mast. These specific days include the death anniversary of Allama Muhammad Iqbal on the 21st of April, the death anniversary of Quaid-e-Azam on 11th September, the death anniversary of Liaquat Ali Khan on 16th October and other specific days identified by the government. The Pakistan flag is also flown on the official residences of certain VIPs when they are at home. These VIPs include the President and Prime Minister – the flag is flown alongside their personal standard, the chairman of the Senate and Speaker of the national Assembly of Pakistan, the Provincial Governors, the federal ministers and other dignitaries entitled to the privilege of the ministers of the government of Pakistan, the Chief ministers and ministers of Provinces, the chief election minister, the deputy chairman of the senate, the speakers of the provincial assemblies, the diplomatic representatives of Pakistan in foreign countries and the commissioners of divisions, deputy commissioners and political agents.
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There are also specific people who are entitled to fly the national flag on their motor vehicles, vessels and air planes at times when the dignitaries are seated inside. These dignitaries include the President of Pakistan, the Prime Minister of Pakistan, the Chairman of the Senate of Pakistan, the speaker of the national Assembly of Pakistan, the Chief Justice of Pakistan, the Provincial Governors, and the chief Ministers of the provinces and the Chief justice of the high courts. In fact the president and the Prime minister may fly two flags, which include his personal flag along with the National flag. Hence it could be concluded that the flag of Pakistan has a lot of significance and authority, it is representative of many national and patriotic aspects of the country.