New Delhi: Pakistan government has ban all activities linked to the celebration of the Valentine's Day in the capital, Islamabad. The day's celebration on February 14 had often been criticized by Islamists as 'insult' to Islam.
According to reports, the Interior Ministry said that the decision to ban the Valentine's Day celebrations was taken at the orders of Minister Nisar Ali Khan. The ban has, however, not been announced officially.
Khan, in the order, has also promised 'strict action' against anyone caught engaged in outward celebration of the festivity.
The order will be enforced through capital administration and formal notification will be issued by Islamabad deputy commissioner, reports said.
Khan had earlier this week announced that flower shops and restaurants will be closed on the eve of Valentine's Day to avert unpleasant incidents. But soon after, he retracted his statement and said the capital would not shut down because of threats from a small minority.
Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad account the largest celebrations on February 14. Last year, a Valentine's Day fiesta at a park in Karachi was attacked by a group of Quran Academy. The mob had attacked couples, broke up equipment and detained some girls.
Pakistan is not the only Muslim country to ban celebration on February 14. The Indonesian city of Banda Aceh has also banned celebrations of Valentine's Day, contending that the day violates Islamic law.
The Valentine's Day activities have often been disrupted in the past by the supporters of hardline Jamaat-e-Islam, but it is for the first time that the state has intervened to ban the festivities of the day.
