Peshawar District Assembly in session. PHOTO: PPI
PESHAWAR/KOHAT: The city district assembly has passed a unanimous resolution to impose a ban on Valentine’s Day celebration in Peshawar district.
The resolution was presented by Khalid Waqas Chamkani, who belongs to Jamaat-e-Islami, and was passed unanimously.
According to Chamkani, celebrating February 14 is against religious and cultural norms and should be banned.
“A group of people who are inspired by western values are trying to destroy the foundations of our culture by celebrating Valentine’s Day,” Chamkani said.
The JI leader said the resolution is a reminder for the youth that Valentine’s Day is a “useless celebration that has nothing to do with Pakistan’s culture”.
Voice of dissent
No members of the district assembly opposed the resolution.
However, Awami National Party Advocate Syed Zahir, who is also a member of the district assembly, said he was not present in the house when the resolution was passed. “I strongly oppose such a ban and would not have supported it,” he said.
Order discarded
Kohat district nazim Maulana Niaz Mohammad imposed a ban on the celebration of Valentine’s Day in the district. A directive was issued from his office on Thursday. However by Friday morning, the order was subsequently denounced as it was perceived as a violation of human rights.
When contacted, the district nazim told The Express Tribune on Friday he decided to announce the ban because festivities associated with February 14 are “illegal”.
“Valentine’s Day has become a common and unnecessary part of our culture,” Niaz said. “There is no need to designate a special day where people give cards, chocolates and gifts to each other.” The ban drew the ire of locals and the order was discarded by the police.
A high-ranking police official told The Express Tribune, “The order has been discarded as it is illegal and violates basic human rights.” The official, who requested anonymity as he was not authorised to speak to the media, said the Constitution does not prohibit citizens from celebrating Valentine’s Day.
“As a result, it would be unfair to ban February 14 celebrations as they are not illegal.”
Rumour has it
Earlier, on February 10, media reports suggested a ban had been imposed on Valentine’s Day festivities in Islamabad. As per these reports, the interior ministry issued specific instructions to the Islamabad Capital Administration to not allow people to participate in February 14 festivities in the federal capital. However, administration officials and a spokesperson from the interior ministry refuted these rumours, saying no instructions had been given to bring celebrations to a grinding halt.
Bone of contention
Although Valentine’s Day remains increasingly popular among various segments of the youth, it has also been denounced by hardliners as an attempt to impose western values in society.
On February 14, 2014, clashes between students at University of Peshawar highlighted the extent to which Valentine’s Day celebrations remain a contentious matter.
While one of the groups at the varsity was celebrating Valentine’s Day, another celebrated Haya Day (modesty day). The situation took a violent turn after students threw rocks at each other and the police was forced to intervene. Many students pulled out weapons and opened fire at police officials. At least three men were injured and 13 students were taken into custody.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 13th, 2016.
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