Pakistan hoists flag taller than the tricolour on Wagah border

The national flag hoisted is also reported to be the highest one in South Asia and the 8th highest in the world.

Pakistan on its 70th Independence Day hoisted what it claimed the tallest flag in South Asia. The flag which is 120 by 180 feet was installed on a 400 feet pole was hoisted by Pakistan Army Chief on Wagah-Attari border.

The tallest flag was planned after India hoisted a flag at the height of 360 feet last year. Pakistan authorities said it was eighth tallest flag in the world. India's flag was torn apart due to strong winds at least four times since its hoisting but it has planned again to hoist the flag after Pakistan hoisted its flag.

“We will foil the nefarious designs of anyone, who will try to cast an evil eye on Pakistan,” Pakistan's army chief Qamar Javed Bajwa said in an address at the Wagah border on



Sunday-Monday midnight.

The Army Chief said that Pakistan’s flag was symbol of its dignity. He lauded and congratulated Pakistan Rangers for arranging a superb flag hoisting ceremony at the Wagah Border.  

However the fear that strong winds will tear apart the flag remains there after India replaced four flags since last year after strong winds tore it apart. Since March this year the flag was not hoisted for lack of budget. But for this Independence Day celebrations Indian authorities have planned to hoist it again.

Wagah border evening ceremony is a popular sight to visitors from both countries where military guards of both countries hoist and later down their flags in an apparent tit for tat reactions. The military guards usually having big traditional 'Punjab' moustaches cross each other by banging their feet on the ground.