Part of the “History of National Flags” Series from Flagmakers
Flag of Pakistan - A Brief History
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Trivia
The flag was designed by Syed Amir-uddin Kedwaii.
Technical Specification
Adopted:
11TH August 1947
Proportion: 2:3
Design:
A green field with a white vertical stripe, a white crescent and a five-pointed star.
Colours:
PMS
Green: 343
Brief History
In 1526 the Mughai Empire ruled part of what was to become Pakistan and adopted a green triangular flag with a
golden sun and tiny yellow dots.
Between 1674 and 1818 the Maratha Empire was in competition with the Mughai Empire. The flag of Maratha
was a plain saffron swallowtail.
The Flag of the Mughal Empire
The Flag of the Maratha Empire
(1526 – 1540)
(1674 -1818)
(1555 – 1857)
In 1748 most of Pakistan was under the Durrani Empire. The flag was a triangle with emblems and white sword.
From 1799 Sikh Empire also had control of part of Pakistan. The flag was a silk triangular orange flag with a
double edged sword called a khanda.
The Flag of the Durrani Empire
Sikh Empire
(1747 – 1826)
(1799 – 1849)
From 1757 British East India Company, A London based private company, ruled India and Pakistan. The flag was a
red and white alternating striped flag with the Union Flag in the top left corner. The British government took
administration of the country in 1858 making the Union Flag the de facto flag of the country.
The Flag of the Company Rule in India
The Flag of the United Kingdom of Great Britain
(1757 – 1858)
(1858 – 1947)
In 1880 an unofficial land flag was created to represent British India. It features a British Red Ensign with the Star
of India centre right.
Pakistan gained independence in 1947 and a new ‘Flag of the Crescent and Star’ was adopted. Made up of a
green field with a white vertical stripe, a white crescent and five-pointed star. The green colour represents Islam
and the crescent and stars represent progress. It is often seen hanging from private homes and is hoisted each
year on the 14th August.
The Flag of the British Raj
(1880 – 1947)
The Emblem of Pakistan
The Flag of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
(1947 to Present Day)
The Emblem of Pakistan was adopted in 1954.
The design features a shield split into four parts depicting cotton, wheat,
tea and just surrounded by a shield of Jasminum Officinale. With a
crescent moon and star is above the shield and a banner stating “FAITH,
UNITY, DISCIPLINE” below.
The Flags of the Government of
Pakistan
The Flag of the President of Pakistan is a green field with vertical white stripe on the left and an emblem
featuring a crescent moon and star surrounded by a Jasminum Officinale. The Flag of the Prime Minister features
a dark green flag with the emblem of Pakistan at the centre.
The Flag of the President of Pakistan
The Flag of the Prime Minister of Pakistan
The Civil Ensigns of Pakistan
The Civil Air Ensign of Pakistan is a sky blue field with a white-bordered black horizontal stripe through the centre
and national flag top left. The Civil Ensign at sea features a red field with national flag top left.
The Civil Air Ensign of Pakistan
The Civil Sea Ensign of Pakistan
The Military Flags of Pakistan
The Flag of the Pakistan Army is a green field with vertical white stripe and crossed swords protecting a crescent
moon and star. The Ensign for the Pakistan Air Force is a sky blue field with national flag top left and the roundel
centre right.
The Standard of the Pakistan Navy is the national flag with an emblem top left and the Ensign of the Navy is an
elongated national flag. The Naval Jack of the Pakistan Navy is a dark blue field with vertical white stripe and the
emblem in the centre.
The Flag of the Pakistan Army
The Ensign of the Pakistan Air Force
The Ensign of the Pakistan Navy
The Standard of the Pakistan Navy
The Naval Jack of the Pakistan Navy
The Provincial and Territorial Flags of
Pakistan
Each province and territory of Pakistan has a specific flag and include the dark green colour from the national
flag. See examples of the flags below.
The Flag of the Islamabad Capital Territory
The Flag of the Sindh Province
The Flag of the Punjap Province
The Flag of the Khyber Pakhtunkwa Province
The Flag of the Gilgit-Baltistan Territory
The Flag of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas of
Pakistan
The Flag of the Balochistan Province
The Flag of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Province
The Emblems of the National Bodies of
Pakistan
Each National Body of Pakistan has a specific emblem that features the Jasminum Officinale with a crescent
moon and star. Examples of the national Bodies of Pakistan are below.
The Emblem of the Supreme Court
The Emblem of the Federal Shariat Court
The Emblem of the Election Commission of Pakistan
The Emblem of the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority
of Saudi Arabia