Valentine’s Day is becoming popular among young Pakistani people, especially students, despite the growing hostility against the occasion among some fundamentalist and orthodox groups. On the eve of the Valentine’s Day, flowers sold in a slew and many students scarified their attendances to enjoy Valentine’s Day.

Hostility to Valentine’s Day showed openly in the threats of a reportedly new militant group – the Allah Army – which sent threatening emails to public against celebrating the event in public places. This militant group is said to have accepted the responsibility of the recent bomb blast made on the Al-Hamra Theater in Lahore. But terrorists are not the only opponents of Valentine’s celebration; some government and many public figures are also not easy with it. The speaker of the Punjab Assembly Rana Iqbal, for example, has expressed disapproval of Valentine’s Day’s celebration in Pakistan, regarding the festival as something against Pakistan’s religion, culture, and constitution. Similar views came from a teacher in a government college in Rawalpindi who called Valentine’s Day ‘an unethical’ festival.

Nevertheless, the universal instinct of love kept throbbing in the hearts of countless young people in all capital cities of Pakistan. The sale of flowers, roses in particular, peaked on Valentine’s eve and many students committed truancy on All Lovers Day, to partake of their Valentine’s pleasure. Cakes and sweets also sold significantly more than usual. Young people in big cities, especially in Lahore and Islamabad, went on excursions to recreational spots. Many shared their wishes via e-mails and greeting cards. A student from Rawalpindi remembered the day as a time to promote love and peace, also stressing that fundamentalist elements did not have any right to mar other people’s joy.