Conferment of Hilal-I-Eissar on Different Cities:- Commemorative Postage Stamps February 22, 2010

Military operation against the terrorists in Malakand Division code named “Rahey Rast” resulted in displacement of hundreds of thousands of residents to adjacent safer areas in the cities of Peshawar, Mardan, Charsadda, Nowshera and Swabi. This influx of human population termed as Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) taxed the food, shelter and other basic civic amenities of these host towns / city to limits. Living up to their rich and age old traditions of hospitality, the people of Mardan, Swabi, charsadda, Nowshera and Peshawar, welcomed the displaced brethren with open arms. They smilingly shared their scarce resources, besides, accommodating them in schools and their houses. They extended financial, technical and moral support in such a manner that it rekindled the historic memories of Ansar-e-Madina.
To acknowledge the supreme act of making willing sacrifices by the residents of Mardan, Charsadda, Nowshera, Swagbi and Peshawar in accommodating and sustaining IDPs of Malakand Division, the President of Pakistan has been pleased to confer a new award named “Hilal-i-Eissar” on the valiant residents of above named towns / city.
The President of Pakistan has also been pleased to approve the issue of commemorative stamps bearing inscription of “Hilal-i-Eissar” local historical building along with National Flag on the auspicious occasion of conferment of this Honour.
On the occasion of conferment of Hilal-I-Eissar on different cities Pakistan Post is issuing five Commemorative Postage Stamps of Rs. 5/- denomination each on 22, February 2010.

Golden Jubilee Meet Pakistan Navy Rifle Association:- Commemorative Postage Stamp February 13, 2010

Pakistan Navy, since its inception is performing the sacred duty of defending the motherland in a befitting manner. It is only possible through the extensive training that Pakistan Navy imparts to keep its personnel abreast with the innovations in warfare technology.
A well trained soldier is also expected to be a proficient marksman. Pakistan Navy, being a multidimensional force, has to train its men for not only effective operations at sea but for selective operations on land as well. In order to train the naval troops for land operations, basic infantry training has been made a part of the training system. In this backdrop the foundation of the Pakistan Navy Rifle Association (PNRA) was laid in 1952. The purpose was to promote shooting in Pakistan Navy and thus train marksmen for effective land based operations involving use of small arms.
Union inception, the President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan kindly accepted the Patronage of the PNRA while Chief of the Naval Staff was designated as Vice Patron. Since 1952, the event is being held regularly on yearly basis barring few occasions when it could not be held due service reasons.
Year 2010 is especially significant in the history of PNRA as it marks “50TH PNRA Meet” and has been declared as Golden Jubilee Meet by the Chief of the Naval Staff in his capacity as Vice Patron PNRA. To celebrate the Golden Jubilee Meet in a befitting manner, efforts are in hand to invite the President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to grace the occasion as the Chief Guest.
PNRA Golden Jubilee Meet commencing on 13 February 2010 will comprise of 16 competitions in various categories. During the meet, different matches will be held for ensuring participation of ladies, children, officers and sailors of Pakistan Navy. Matches include use of 7.62mm G-3 Rifle, MG1-A3 Machine Gun, 9, Walther Pistol, 9mm MP-5 Sub Machine Gun and 0.22 Rifle. All 16 matches have been included in the PNRA Meet over a span of several years starting a history attached to it. A short detail of each cup is mentioned below:
British Officers Memorial Cup: This cup was presented to PNRA by the British Officers of PN in 1952. It is competed for by serving Lieutenant Commanders of Pakistan Navy through a 9mm Pistol shooting match.
Clayton Hammond Cup: This cup was presented in 1958 by parents and brothers of late Lieutenant Commander F Clayton Hammond of PN. It is competed for by ladies through a 0.22 open sight rifle shooting match.
Jhelum Cup: This cup was received as PN share of Ex-Royal Indian Navy trophies and was presented by the NHQ to PNRA in 1952. It is competed for by teams of PN Ships and Establishments through a 9mm Pistol shooting match.
Qasim Cup: This cup was presented by the officers and men of PNS Qasim to PNRA in 1959. It is competed for by the teams of PN Ships and Establishments through a 9mm Pistol Knockout match.
Bahadur Cup: This cup was presented to PNRA by PNS BAHADUR in 1967. It is competed for by children under 19 years of age of serving and retired PN personnel through a 0.22 open sight rifle shooting match.
Taimur Cup: This cup was presented to PNRA in 1959 by the officers and men of PNS TaIMUR. It is competed for by teams of PN Ships and Establishments through a 7.62mm machine gun shooting match.
Babur Challenge Cup: This cup was presented to PNRA by the officers of PNS BABUR in 1962. It is competed for by young officers (LTs, S/LTs/Midshipman/Cadets) having service less then 4 years, through a 7.62mm G-3 rifle and 9mm Pistol shooting match.
Bahawalpur Challenge Cup: This cup was presented to PNRA in 1952 by His Highness Ameer of Bahawalpur. It is competed for by the teams of PN Ships and Establishments through a 7.62mm G-3 rifle shooting match.
Latif Memorial Cup: This cup was presented to PNRA in 1982 by the officers and men of Gunnery School in the memory of shaheed Lt M Latif PN who laid his life for the defense of the country in 1971. It is competed for by the teams of PN Ships and Establishments through a 9mm MP-5 sub machine gun match.
Ghafoor Challenge Cup: This cup was presented to PNRA by Commander A Ghafoor PN in 1962. It is competed for by the teams of PN Ships and Establishments through a 7.62 mm G-3 rifle match.
Jefford Cup: This cup was presented to PNRA in 1952 by the former Commander in Chief Pakistan Navy and Vice Patron of PNRA, Vice Admiral J W Jefford, OBE. It is competed for by the young sailors through a 7.62,, G-3 rifle match.
Tippu Sultan Cup: This cup was received as PN share of EX Royal Indian Navy trophies and was presented to PNRA by the NHQ in 1952. It is competed for by the teams of PN Ships and Establishments through a 9mm pistol and 7.62mm G-3 rifle match.
CNS Cup: This cup was presented to PNRA by the Ex Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Muhammad Afzal Tahir NI(M) in 2007 in his capacity of Vice Patron PNRA. It is competed for by the teams of PN Ships and Establishments through a 9mm pistol and 7.62mm G-3 rifle match.
Tariq Challenge Cup: This cup was presented to PNRA in 1958 by the officers and men of PNS TARIQ. The match comprises of 6 events, 3 events of 7.62mm G-3 rifle and 3 of 9mm pistol, requiring expertise in 6 different disciplines of art of the marksmanship. It is competed for by the 5 top shooters of each participating team. Ten PN Top shooters are awarded prizes being best of the best.
Arshad Challenge Cup: This cup was presented to PNRA by the Rear Admiral (Retired) M I Arshad HI(M), S.Bt, being the Chairman Karachi Port Trust, in 1985. It is competed for by the PN officers of the rank of Captain and Commander through a 9mm pistol match.
KPT Challenge Cup: This cup was presented to PNRA by the Rear Admiral (Retired) M I Arshad HI(M), S.Bt, being the Chairman Karachi Port Trust, 15 1985. It is competed for by the PN officers of the rank of Commodores and above through a 9mm pistol match.
PNRA Runner Up Trophy: This trophy was presented to PNRA by the officers of PNS HIMALAYA in 1970. It is presented to the team that is overall second in the PNRA Meet.
PNRA Championship Trophy: This trophy was presented to PNRA by the officers of PNS HIMALAYA in 1970. It is presented to the overall winner team of PNRA Meet.
It is also pertinent to mention that it is because of the PNRA that today PN marksmen are recognized not only as top of the line shooters at national level but they have, on several occasions, represented Pakistan by winning medals during international competitions.
On the occasion of the Golden Jubilee Meet of the Pakistan Navy Rifle Association Pakistan Post is issuing a Commemorative Postage Stamp of Rs. 10/- denomination on 13, February 2010

The 1990's Boom in Italy

By:- P.J. Ronay

Currently (1990) dealers in Italy are out bidding each other for stamps of the Italian Kingdom and Republic. The “boom” cycle is rolling and no one knows how far it will go.
This is the 4th Italian speculation that I have experienced over the past 25 years. It is very exciting to watch prices double and triple. At this time, a lot of people are making lots of money, but caution is warranted.
Since all booms eventually come to an end, we must be very careful not to get stuck with stamps that will be impossible to give away. My market intuition is telling me to be careful. Why am I writing this now when the bulk of the U.S. public still doesn’t even know there is a boom in Italy? Well, here are the facts:
This boom started just prior to “Roma 85”, a large philatelic show held in Rome in 1985. A buying syndicate was formed and a selective number of post war Italian issues were sought at or above current wholesale prices. After questioning my Italian dealer contacts about the syndicate, the reaction I got was that the syndicate is weak, has no capital and will shortly fall apart. In 1985, dealers believed that the Italian market was in the depths of a depression with no sign of hope.
Over the next 3-4 years, the syndicate continued to advertise to pay higher and higher buy prices. In 1989 and 1990, other Italian dealers started to advertise their buying needs. Catalog publishers released monthly price increase information. Today, more and more Italian dealers are again coming to the U.S. on buying trips. Italian auctions are hotter than ever, attaining higher and higher prices. Now Italian dealers are openly admitting that the market is great.
This is exactly the reason to be concerned. The boom started in 1985 amid depression, but now there seems to be almost too much optimism. Prices will still increase, probably with at least one more big surge. Once this occurs, this may very well signal the end of this great boom.
My own belief is that this boom will end in conjunction with the major stamp show which will be held in Genova in 1992. What should you do at this time? We can recommend a number of prudent things. First of all, if you have quantities of mint NH sets from the Italian Kingdom and Republic, consider selling them on a slow basis over the next 3-6 months. Since Vatican prices have not yet experienced major speculative moves, I would put money into NH mid-priced and expensive issues. Already there are signs that Vatican prices are set to shortly take off.
The stamps of Trieste are also a good investment at this time. Strong increases are expected across the board.
Italian Colonies are even better! With printings of 10,000-100,000 sets, large quantities of this material are just not to be found anymore. Unlike Italy, Trieste, Vatican and San Marino, Italian dealers are eager to buy LH sets of the Colonies, realizing that NH sets are virtually impossible to find.
Other “safe” investments that can be bought from the Italian Area (stamps that will not collapse in value once this boom ends) include:
Errors and varieties: Although prices are considerably higher than 2-3 years ago, errors from the Vatican, Italy, Colonies and AMG/Trieste are highly sought after. Also included within this category are gutter pairs, inscription blocks, revenues, etc.
Covers and postal history: There is an extremely strong demand for just about all covers from the Italian Area. However, this demand is for commercial covers and as yet has not spread to FDC’s and Postal Stationery.
Flight Covers, Zepps, Balbos, etc.: These always attain good prices at Italian auctions. You can be sure that prices will not collapse on such scarce material.
This has been reprinted from Global Stamp News – February 1991 – Issue #4