LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Thursday directed the interior ministry to develop a policy to ensure sanctity of the national flag and prohibit sale of defaced flags with pictures of political leaders.

Justice Shahid Bilal Hassan passed this order hearing a petition challenging sale of the defaced national flags and sought compliance report within three months. The judge observed that the court wanted the government to come up with a solid policy on the matter for its implementation before the next Independence Day. The government would not be able to comply with the order for this year as the Independence Day was just around the corner, the judge said.

Talha Bilal advocate hadfiled the petition, contending that preparations to celebrate the Independence Day were in full swing but sanctity of the national flag had not been maintained.

He said the nation was going to celebrate its 69th Independence Day but it had yet to learn how to maintain sanctity of the national flag.

The petitioner said the national Bags carrying pictures of different political personalities and cartoons were available in the market in violation of law and pointed out that the National Flag Rules made in 2002 were yet to be implemented. He submitted the trousers/clothes printed with national flags and buntings of national flags of different colours were also on the sale in violation of the rules. He prayedtothecourtto direct the government to stop the sale of the defaced national flags.