History of the Pakistan Flag: 1947 Adoption and the Crescent-Star Design
Pakistan’s national flag was adopted only days before independence in August 1947, combining a dark-green field, white hoist stripe, crescent and star.
Origins in the independence movement
The new state of Pakistan required its own national flag as British India approached partition and independence.
Who designed the flag?
Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs credits the national design to Syed Amir-uddin Kedwaii.
August 11, 1947: adoption
The Constituent Assembly adopted the national flag on August 11, 1947, three days before Pakistan became independent.
Why green and white?
The dark-green field represents the Muslim majority, while the white vertical band represents religious minorities and minority religions.
Why use a crescent and star?
The crescent symbolizes progress and the star symbolizes light and knowledge, according to official Pakistani explanations.
Why the white stripe mattered
Placing the white band directly at the hoist made minority representation an integral structural part of the flag rather than an added emblem.
Modern specifications
The flag uses a 2:3 ratio. The green section occupies three-quarters of the length and the white stripe one quarter.
Continuity since independence
The core national design has remained remarkably stable since 1947, making it one of the clearest visual links between Pakistan’s founding moment and the modern state.
Timeline
| August 11, 1947 | National flag adopted |
|---|---|
| August 14, 1947 | Pakistan becomes independent |
| Modern era | Original crescent-star design retained |
