Sewing patriotism, one flag at a time | The Express Tribune

ISLAMABAD:

As the nation gears up to celebrate its 78th Independence Day, the green and white flags fluttering across rooftops, vehicles, and marketplaces stand as proud symbols of national unity But behind this powerful emblem lies the story of thousands of hardworking artisans. In the bustling inner-city streets of Lahore’s Shah Alam Market and Karachi’s Jodia Bazaar, generations of flagmakers are working around the clock, stitching national flags in every size and style. Many of them began their work weeks in advance, knowing that demand would surge as August 14 approached.

Most of these artisans operate from small workshops or home-based units. Despite technological advancements, much of the flag-making process remains manual, especially for the higher-quality stitched flags used by institutions and schools.

“We’ve been making flags since my grandfather’s time, right after Partition,” says Muhammad Amin, a third-generation flagmaker in Lahore. “Every year, when I see our flags waving on streets, I feel like we’ve done something for Pakistan.”

However, behind the patriotic spirit is a silent struggle. Rising inflation, increased costs of raw materials, and limited government support have made it difficult for many small-scale flag producers to sustain their craft.

“This is not just a business; it’s a tradition,” says Rubina Parveen, one of the few women, running a flag workshop from her home in Karachi. “But our margins are shrinking every year. If this continues, our children may not carry it forward.”

Historically, the very first flag of Pakistan was stitched by Master Altaf Hussain, a dedicated tailor from Karachi, who crafted the original flag under the guidance of the Pakistan Muslim League leadership just before August 14, 1947.

The design of the flag was conceptualised by Ameerud Din Qudwai, who envisioned it as a symbol representing both the Muslim majority and minority communities of the new nation. Qudwai based the design on the flag of the All-India Muslim League, adding a white stripe to represent Pakistan’s religious minorities.

When Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah saw the first finished flag, he reportedly smiled with deep satisfaction and told Master Altaf Hussain: “This flag will now represent the hopes of millions. You’ve stitched more than fabric, you’ve stitched the dream of a nation.”

Master Altaf Hussain’s humble workshop on MA Jinnah Road thus became a symbolic birthplace of Pakistan’s identity, playing a silent yet significant role in the country’s freedom journey.

As Pakistanis prepare to celebrate another year of independence, the fluttering flags serve as reminders not just of freedom, but of the quiet hands that stitch patriotism into every thread.