Pakistanis mark Valentine's despite threats

KARACHI, Feb 14 (Reuters) Many young, urban Pakistanis ignored threats from religious conservatives and celebrated St Valentine's Day today with gifts of red roses, heart-shaped cakes and chocolates.

Some religious groups in the predominantly Muslim country have condemned celebrating the Christian saint's day as un-Islamic, and warned of damnation for those who do, but that didn't put off the romantic, or businesses keen to cash in.

''What is Valentine's Day except expressing one's love for someone. What is un-Islamic about it?'' asked Huma, a woman student queuing up at a courier firm in the city of Karachi to place a Valentine's order.

The TCS courier company offers a range of Valentine's gifts including imported long-stem red roses, chocolates, teddy bears and cakes. Huma was getting a heart-shaped cake sent to her boyfriend.

''Our sales jump 30 to 35 per cent for Valentine's Day bookings made by young and even elderly couples,'' said sales officer Ziaullah.

Gift-shop owner Mohammad Hafeez said Valentine's cards had been flying off his shelves, thanks in part to the media which he said had been promoting the day much more.

''For us it means good business. Mostly we get teenagers and young couples buying cards and gifts. There's nothing corrupt about it,'' he said.

In recent years, Pakistani newspapers have put out Valentine's Day issues full of advertisements aimed at young, well-heeled, urban consumers.

But in the central city of Multan the youth wing of the powerful Jamaat-e-Islami religious party sent out stick-wielding volunteers looking to catch any unmarried couples celebrating the day in parks, hotels and guest houses.

''The government is doing nothing to stop these un-Islamic practices but if we catch anyone we will not spare them,'' said Babar Man, leader of the youth group.

Maulana Amir Hamza, a senior member of the Jamaat ud Daawa, an Islamist aid group linked to the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba militant organisation, said Valentine's Day was an attempt to corrupt Muslim youth.

''There is no mention of Valentine's day in Islamic history yet the government is patronising such Western concepts in an Islamic country,'' Hamza said.

''Those who celebrate it will go to hell,'' he said.

REUTERS KD HS1707