The Pakistan Economy Watch (PEW) on Tuesday called for banning Valentine's Day celebrations in Pakistan terming it an immoral activity which promote social ills. Religious institutions should spread anti-Valentine's Day message while the government should immediately ban Valentine's Day celebrations, said Dr Murtaza Mughal, President Pakistan Economy Watch.
Asking someone to be his/her valentine will invite the wrath of Allah as such a request was idolatrous, he said. Talking to a delegation led by Ashfaq Ahmed, he said that the celebrations being practiced since 17 century belonged to pagans and Christians which has nothing to do with Islam, he added. A day dedicated to romance and love keeps youth busy in worthless matters, which is damaging for the society, he added. Dr Mughal said that Hindus, Jews and Christians would never celebrate any Islamic festivals but Pakistanis would blindly and proudly follow western culture, which speak of our mental and social decadence.
"We are not keen to know about developments in science and technology in Christian societies," he observed. Pakistan was made in the name of Islam where many Islamic values were openly violated while the state played the role of a silent spectator, he added. "Every religion has distinct traditions, festivals and lifestyles, which are their identity and we should also keep our identity intact for the generations to come," he said.