Valentine's Day celebrated in Pakistan

Like everywhere else Valentine's Day was celebrated in Pakistan as well. The day is increasingly popular among younger Pakistanis, who give cards, chocolates and flowers to their sweethearts to celebrate the occasion. However, while some rejoice in the day's celebrations, others like Pakistan's main religious party, Jamaat-i-Islami (JI), staged a huge protest against Valentine's Day on Tuesday in Peshawar, denouncing it as un-Islamic and calling for a "day of modesty" instead. Just stopping short of banning coverage of the day, the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulator Authority (PEMRA) circulated a letter saying it received complaints that celebrating the day was not in accordance with "our religious and cultural ethos". But some youngsters dismiss Valentine's Day as being un-Islamic saying that it is about love, which is also relevant to Muslims. In keeping with the day's sentiments, red roses and heart-shaped balloons could be seen everywhere in Islamabad on Thursday with roadside flower stalls linining many of the capital's streets.