The flag-lowering ceremony at the Wagah border crossing is a long continuing ritual that has received worldwide fame.
JUBAIL, SAUDI ARABIA: This is with reference to Ambassador (r) B A Malik's letter of November 9 on the above-titled issue. While one cannot entirely disagree with what Ambassador Malik is saying, the fact remains that some traditions and customs attain a degree of immutability because of their prolonged currency.
As such, stopping them does not often fit in the larger scheme of things. The flag-lowering ceremony at the Wagah border crossing is a long continuing ritual that has received worldwide fame. In fact, it is a source of joy and amusement for spectators on both sides of the border. We should not deprive Pakistanis as well as Indians from this show of pleasure and pride. If the ambassador’s doctrine of peace is accepted then there should be no military parade on March 23 and no celebration on August 14 either.
Hafeez S
Published in The Express Tribune, November 10th, 2010.
