The Birth of Pakistan [August 14, 1947]
-
The birth of Pakistan, August 14, 1947The British Parliament passed the
Indian Independence Act on July 18, 1947. The Act created two dominions,
Indian Un...
Saturday, December 28, 2013
Thursday, December 26, 2013
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Monday, September 9, 2013
Thursday, August 22, 2013
Thematic Society of Pakistan
Dear collectors,
As you know number of stamp collectors is decreasing in Pakistan Pakistan Pakistan Pakistan
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Azaadi Mubarak
Jis des ke koochay koochay me
Aflaas Awaara Phirta Ho
Jo Dharti Bhook Ugalti Ho
Dukh Dard Falak se Girta Ho
Jahaan Bhookay Nangay Bachay Bhi
AAHON pe Paalay Jatay Hon
Jahan Sachai ke Mujrim Bhi
Zindaan Me Dalaay Jatay Hon
Jahan Majbooron ke Khoon se Apne
PAAP Bhi Dhoye Jatay Hon
Uss Des ki Matti Barson se ESS
Des ke Be-Hiss Logon ko
Azaadi Mubarak Kehti Hai..
Azaadi Mubarak Kehti Hai
Thailand 2013 stamp exhibition.
CONGRGULATIONS PAKISTAN
PAKISTAN HAVE WON 3 GOLD MEDALS
ALONG WITH 3 LARGE VERMEILS, 2 VERMEIL & A SILVER MEDAL IN DIFFERENT CLASSES
OF WORLD STAMP EXHIBITION IN BANGKOK-2013 ( 2-10 AUG.2013)
MR. IMTIAZ H. SUBZWARI (PRESIDENT OF PAKISTAN PHILATELIC ASSOCIATION LAHORE ) REPRESENTED
PAKISTAN AS NATIONAL COMMISSIONER IN THIS SHOW.
THREE GOLDS ARE WON BY
1- MR. SALMAN QURESHI ON
HIS EXHIBIT OF BHOPAL STATE
2- MR. SULTAN MEHMOOD ON
HIS EXHIBIT OF AFGHANISTAN .
3- MR. AFZAL
NANJEE ON HIS EXHIBIT OF OTTOMON EMPIRE.
Commissioner of Pakistan Mr. Imtiaz Hussain Subzwari
Accepted Exhibits
CLASS
|
COUNTRY
|
NAME OF
EXHIBITOR
|
NO OF FRAME
|
TITLE OF EXHIBIT
|
3B
|
Afzal Nanjee
|
5
|
||
2C
|
Iqbal Nanjee
|
5
|
||
3B
|
Iqbal Nanjee
|
5
|
Postal History of
|
|
4
|
Muhammad Arif Balgamwala
|
8
|
||
4
|
Nadeem Akhtar Syed
|
5
|
||
10C
|
Saleha Batool
|
5
|
||
2B
|
Salman Qureshi
|
8
|
||
2B
|
Sultan Mahmud
|
8
|
||
7B
|
Zeeshan Advani
|
5
|
The Olympic Games From 1896 to
1952
|
EXHIBITION POST MARKS
| Date | Theme Day |
| 2/8/2013 | THAILAND 2013 Day |
| 3/8/2013 | Thai Folk Art and Craft Day |
| 4/8/2013 | 130 Years of Thai Postage Stamp Day |
| 5/8/2013 | Philatelist day |
| 6/8/2013 | Thai Traditional Art Day |
| 7/8/2013 | Thai Contemporary Art Day |
| 8/8/2013 | ASEAN Day |
| 9/8/2013 | Youth day |
| 10/8/2013 | Thai Khon Day |
| 11/8/2013 | Thai Cuisine Day |
| 12/8/2013 | H.M. The Queen’s Day |
| 13/08/2013 | Performance Art day |
| 14/08/2013 | 10th Anniversary THP day |
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
Monday, August 12, 2013
Men of Letters Series 'Ibn-e-Insha' Issue Date:- 15-06-2013 (2013-16)
Men of Letters Series Ibn-e-Insha Commemorative Postage Stamp June 15,
2013:- Sher Muhammad Khan with Pen-name (Ibn-e-Insha was born in Phillaur
Tehsil of Jalandhar District, Punjab India on 15th June, 1927. He
received his B.A. Degree from Punjab University Lahore in 1946, and did his
Masters from University of Karachi in 1953. Ibn-e-Insha remained associated
with various Government Services including,
·
Radio Pakistan
·
Ministry
of Culture and
·
National
Book Centre of Pakistan
He also served in United Nations
for some time. He was a renowned poet, humorist, travelogue-writers,
Journalist, Broadcaster and translator.
He died of Cancer (Hodgkin’s
Lymphoma) at the age of about 50 years on January 11, 1978 in London and was
buried in Karachi.
Literary Profile – in Detail
1-
Ibn-e-Insha
as a Poet:- Ibn-e-Insha was recognized as one of the most talented and
versatile poets of his generation. His poetry has a unique elocution that is
usually heard in the natural pronunciation of Hindi Urdu complex of languages.
His articulation and poetic style has an influence on generation of young poet.
Three (03) collections of his poetry have been published. His famous ghazal
“Insha Ji Utho”, sung by Ustad Amanat Ali Khan, is a modern day classic.
Poetry Books:-
·
Is Basti Key Ik Koochey Main
·
Chand Nagar
·
Dil-e-Wehshi
2-
As
Travelogue Writer:- He has written several books of travelogues. As Insha
served for UN for some time, so he visited many countries during this period
and wrote some travelogues. The countries which he traveled were Japan,
Philippines, China, Hong Kong, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, India,
Afghanistan, Iran, Turkey France, UK and United States. He wrote his travel
experiences in an excellent and unique style. A remarkable common feature of
his travelogues is that they have been written with a distinguished touch of
humor.
His Travelogues:-
·
Awara GArd Ki Diary
·
Dunya Gol Hey
·
Ibn Battuta Kay Taaqub Maen
·
Chaltay Ho To Cheen Ko Chaliye
·
Nagri Nagri Phira Musafar
3-
As Humorist:- Besides his fame as a poet,
Ibn-e-Insha was regarded as one of the best humorists of Urdu language. He wrote
four (04) books of humorous prose. “Urdu
Ki Akhri Kitab” was his masterpiece and one of the finest examples of
satire in Urdu poking fun at everyone including politicians, historians, media
etc. His book Urdu Ki Akhri Kitab and Khumar-e-Gandum are the master pieces of
Urdu humor. The first edition of “Urdu
Ki Akhri Kitab” was published in July, 1971 and till 2003. In his letters,
his style is quite simple and natural having a touch of humor and freshness. It
has natural flow and is without any affection. These letters are regarded as
self portrait of him as he unveils his personality time and again in these
letters.
Book of humor:-
·
Aap se kya Parda
·
Khumar e Gandum
·
Urdu Ki Aakhri Kitab
·
Khat Insha Jee Kay (Collection of letters)
4-
As
Journalist:- After 1947, Insha migrated from India to Pakistan and chose
journalism as his profession. He wrote columns in daily Imroze, Karachi under
the pen-name of “Khana-Badosh”. In daily Jang, he wrote columns with the
caption of Harf-o-Hikayat. His writing were also published in
“Akhbaar-e-Khawateen”. Some of his other famous columns were published under
the captions of Baqalam Khud, Baatein
Inshajee Ki, and Dakhal dar
Ma’qoolat.
5-
As
Translator:- Ubn-e-Insha translated many great short stories of the world.
For example he translated some famous works of Edgar Allan Poe under the
following captions, “Saans Ki Phaansi”, “Wo Beizvi Tasveer”, “Attr Farosh
Dosheeza Ke Qatal ka Mau’ma”, “Andha Kunwaan”, etc. He translated works of the
famous American writer O’Henry as “Lakhon Ka Shehar”. He also translated some
work of John Steinbeek as “Shehar-e-Panah”and the works of famous Russain
writer Chekov as “Majboor”. Insha also translated a collection of Chinese poems
in Urdu in 1960.
On Men of Letters Series
Ibn-e-Insha Pakistan Post is issuing a Commemorative Postage Stamp of Rs.8/-
denomination on June 15, 2013.
Men of Letters Series 'Mumtaz Mufti (1905-1995)' Issue Date:- 12-06-2013 (2013-15)
Men of Letters Series Mumtaz Mufti (1905 – 1995) Commemorative Postage Stamp June 12, 2013:- Mumtaz Mufti – September 11, 1905 – October 27, 1995 – was unique in style and in diction, happened to be a trend setter in Urdu fiction; “short stories, novels, travelogue, persona writings and Radio drama”. He was born in batala, British East Punjab earned his early education from there and got graduation from Lahore. He started his career in British Rule as an English teacher in southern Punjab and after Partition of India, Initially lived at Lahore for some years and later settled for good at Islamabad.
Mumtaz Mufti started writing Urdu short stories much earlier, before partition. His first book was published in 1936. Initially his stories portrayed him a non conformist writer having liberal views, apparently influenced by Freud. Most of his initial short story books and his iconic novel “Alipur ka Aily” were the exhibits of that era. His transformation from Liberatlism to Sufism was marked in his most remarkable book “Lab-baik” and later by his voluminous autobiography “Alakh-Nagri” influenced by the closeness of Allah and the association of his friend Qudrat Ullah Shahab (A Sufi writer and senior civil servant). In his book “Alakh-Nagri” he mainly expressed his closed relations to Qudrat Ullah Shahab and tried to explain with his personal experience pertaining to Shahab, especially for the last chapter of his book “Shahab Nama”, “Chhota Mou Bari Baat”. He told every secret without which that chapter of “Shahab Nama” could not be comprehended. He supported his point of view with his first hand knowledge and as an eye witness to the mystic behavior of Qudrat Ullah Shahab. In the same book he narrated his associations with his contemporary close friends from Ahmed Bashir, Ishfaq Ahmed, Bano Qudsia to Abdaal Bela. He is the only writer in literary world for whom the biggest Anthology of about 1600 pages “Mufti Ge” has been published, compiled by his disciple Abdaal Bela. Mumtaz Mufti has about twenty highly acclaimed valuable books to his credit from “Un Kahi” to “Kahi na Jaye”. He was a famous travelogue of India “Hind Yatra” and many persona writing books in addition to his books of Radio drama. His last book “Talash” (Quest) was a summary of this total sum of search for God and men of God. This book is treated as a textbook of Sufism in circles of readers.
Mumtaz Mufti has a big group of his followers throughout the Urdu reading woric and happens to be a legend for many notable writers of all time. His writings are unique in diction, Formation, Style and appeal. In recognition of his notable extra ordinary devotion and achievements in Urdu literature, he was conferred with Sitara-e-Imtiaz (1986) Pakistan and Munshi Prem Chand Award (1989) of India. He died at the age of 90 on 27 October 1995 at Islamabad and was buried at H-8 Graveyard of Islamabad, close to his life time friend Qudrat Ullah Shahab.
On Men of Letters Series Mumtaz Mufti, a Commemorative Postage Stamp of Rs.8/- denomination is being issued by Pakistan Post on June 12, 2013.
Men of Letters Series 'Ishfaq Ahmed (1925-2004)' Issue Date:- 12-06-2013 (2013-13)
Men of Letters Series Ishfaq Ahmad (1925-2004) Commemorative Postage
Stamp June 12, 2013:- Ishfaq Ahmed – 22 August 1925 – 7 September 2004 was
an eminent, fiction writer, playwright, and broadcaster, intellectual and Sufi
writer from Pakistan. He started penning down literature alongside pioneers of
Urdu Literature like, Prem Chand, Bibi, Krishan Chandar, Mumtaz Mufti, Saddat
Hassan Manto, Quratulain Haider and Ismat Chugtai. His first master piece,
short story “Guddaria” (The Shepherd) become classic as early as 1955.
He was born in Firozpur, British
East Punjab and received his earlier education in his native town. In 1947, he
migrated to Pakistan and made Lahore his permanent abode. He earned his Masters
in Urdu Literature from Government College Lahore, where he met his life time
partner and great Urdu writer “Bano Qudsia” and got married with her. Both
contributed monumental volumes to Urdu Literatures.
In Pakistan he served initially
at Walton Refugee Camp as a volunteer and later joined as Producer in Radio
Azad Kashmir which was established in a truck that used to move around in
various parts of Azad Kashmir. He also served as Lecturer in Dayal Singh
College Lahore for two years. He went to Rome, Italy to join Radio Rome, Italy
as Urdu News Caster. He became a professor of Urdu at Rome University, Italy.
He learnt various European Languages and earned diplo9mas in Italian and French
from the University of Rome, Italy and Grenoble, France. He also gained a
diploma in Radio Broadcasting from New York, USA.
He started writing stories in his
early childhood and after return from Europe to Pakistan he estabglished his
own monthly literary magazine “Dastaan Go” (Story Teller). He joined Radio
Pakistan as script writer initially, and later got appointed as Editor of popular
Urdu weekly “Lail-o-Nahar” (Day and Night). In 1962 he started his most popular
weekly Radio program “Talqeen Shah” (The Mentor) which made him a remarkable
and iconic voice of Radio among masses of Pakistan and abroad. This uniwue
program has the record of the longest weekly program in Asia which continued
for over 30 years. In 1966, he was appointed as Director General in the maximum
Grade B.P.S. 22 of the “Markazi Urdu Board” which later renamed as “Urdu
Science Board”, a post he held for nest 29 years till 1979. He also happened to
be the Advisor to the Federal Government in Ministry for Education. He once
produced a feature film as well “Dhoop aur Saie” (Sunshine and Shadows).
Ishfaq Ahmed is a trend setter in
sensitive, nation building, society reforming and Sufi Urdu Literary writing
all times best Radio programmer and script writer of ever green Television
Drama series. His television plays include “Aik mohabat sau afsane” (Bunch of
Love Stories), “Uchhay burj Lahore dey” (Barbicans of Lahore), “Tota Kahani”
(Story of the Parrot), “Lekin” (But), “Hairat Kadah” (Surprise House) and “Mun
Chalay ka Sauda” (Bargain of the Wanderer). Throughout his life Ishfaq Ahmed
endeavoured to reform society through his writings. He authored over twenty
five books including a travelogue “Safar Dar Safar” (Long Way Journey), “A
series of Zaviayas” (Angles) many other books of drama series and his last
famous book “Baba Shaiba”. For his notable extra ordinary and remarkable services
in the field of literature, television drama and Radio broadcasting he was
awarded President’s Pride of Performance and Sitara-e-Imtiaz. Throughout his
amazing creative life, he happened to be very close in person and thematic
thoughts of literature with Qudrat Ullah Shahab and Mumtaz Mufti in Sufi trend
settings and patriotic creative Writings in Urdu literature. He died of
Pancreatic Cancer on 7th September 2004 at Lahore at the age of 79
years and is buried there.
On Men of Letter Series Ishfaq
Ahmed (1925 – 2004), Pakistan Post is issuing a Commemorative Postage Stamp of
Rs.8/- denomination on June 12, 2013.
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Men of Letters Series Shafiq-ur-Rehman Commemorative Postage Stamp June
06, 2013:- He was born on November 9, 1920 in a small town near Rohtak,
India.
Shafiq-ur-Rehman was an
illustrious humorist and a short-story writer of Urdu language. He was a
medical Doctor by profession, and served in Pakistan Army.
He received his education in
Bahawalpur. He completed his MBBS from King Edward Medical College Lahore in
1942, and post-graduation in 1952. He began writing humorous stories during his
school days.
His stories were published in a
literary monthly magazine “Khayyam”. His book “Kirnain” was completed before he
joined medical college and it was published in 1938 while he was still a
medical student. It was followed by Shagoofay, Lehrain, Maddojazar, Parvaaz,
Himaqatain, Mazeed Himaqatain, Dajla (a travelogue), Insaani tamasha (a
translation of “a human comedy”) and lastly Dareechay.
Though he was a humorist, but
generally there is an air of romance I his writings. Early in his career, he
became a household name. His popularity increased manifold from his second book
“Shagoofay”
His later books “Lehrain” and
“Parvaaz” further established him as a high class humorist. His wit and
repartee put him way ahead of some of his contemporaries. Though his humor is
not shy of practical jokes, he uses it sparingly. His jokes have meaning
beneath the surface but on the outside they amused everyone to laugh.
As far as parodies are concerned,
hardly any humorist in urdu can reach his level in satire and wit. His five
parodies “Qissa Chahar Darvesh”, Qassa-i-Hatim Tai bai tasweer”, Qissa
Professor Ali Baba Ka”, “Tuzk-i-Nadri urf siyahat nama-i-Hinda” and “Safar nama
Jahazbad Sindhi Ka” are fine satires on our history and culture.
Shafiq became very popular among
adolescent. He often philosophizes about joys and sorrows, sweeping the young
readers with the bouts of optimism and pessimism, giving semi-philosophical,
semi-romantic explanations to the queries that haunt the youth. In Urdu
Language his style is comparable to that of Stephen Leacock and Mark Twain in
English Literature.
He continued to write till his
death. He gave a new look to Urdu humor and is the inspiration for many of the
Leading humorists nowadays. He created a world that was very real with all its
joys, pains and anguish. It was an affirmation of human values and compassion.
The Language he used is simple and spontaneous.
His unforgettable characters
include Shaitaan, Hukoomat Aapa, Maqsood Ghora, Buddy, Nannha and others. He
ruled the world of humor for almost 60 years.
Shafiq-ur-Rehman joined the
Indian Army Medical Corps and served at different war fronts during ther Second
World War. After partition, he joined the Pakistan Army and rose to the rank of
Major General. After his retirement, he served as Chairman of the Academy of
letters of Pakistan from 1980 to 1985. During his tenure, the Academy of
Letters really flourished and touched its zenith as a Literary Institution.
Grief came to his happy life in
the shape of sad death of his son Khalique on account of an accident and his
wife’s prolonged illness.
He died on March 19, 2000 in
Rawalpindi.
He was awarded the Hilal-e-Imtiaz
for his military and civilian services on March 23, 2001 after his death. He
wrote following books:-
·
Kirnain
·
Shagoofay
·
Lehrain
·
Madd-o-Jazar
·
Pachtaway
·
Parwaaz
·
Himaqatain
·
Mazeed Himaqatain
·
Dajlah
·
Insaani Tamasha (a translation)
·
Dareechay
On Men of Letters Series Shafiq-ur-Rehman,
Pakistan Post is issuing a Commemorative Postage Stamp of Rs.8/- denomination
on June 6, 2013.Men of Letters Series 'Shafiq-UR-Rehman' Issue Date:- 06-06-2013 (2013-13)
Men of Letters Series Shafiq-ur-Rehman Commemorative Postage Stamp June
06, 2013:- He was born on November 9, 1920 in a small town near Rohtak,
India.
Shafiq-ur-Rehman was an
illustrious humorist and a short-story writer of Urdu language. He was a
medical Doctor by profession, and served in Pakistan Army.
He received his education in
Bahawalpur. He completed his MBBS from King Edward Medical College Lahore in
1942, and post-graduation in 1952. He began writing humorous stories during his
school days.
His stories were published in a
literary monthly magazine “Khayyam”. His book “Kirnain” was completed before he
joined medical college and it was published in 1938 while he was still a
medical student. It was followed by Shagoofay, Lehrain, Maddojazar, Parvaaz,
Himaqatain, Mazeed Himaqatain, Dajla (a travelogue), Insaani tamasha (a
translation of “a human comedy”) and lastly Dareechay.
Though he was a humorist, but
generally there is an air of romance I his writings. Early in his career, he
became a household name. His popularity increased manifold from his second book
“Shagoofay”
His later books “Lehrain” and
“Parvaaz” further established him as a high class humorist. His wit and
repartee put him way ahead of some of his contemporaries. Though his humor is
not shy of practical jokes, he uses it sparingly. His jokes have meaning
beneath the surface but on the outside they amused everyone to laugh.
As far as parodies are concerned,
hardly any humorist in urdu can reach his level in satire and wit. His five
parodies “Qissa Chahar Darvesh”, Qassa-i-Hatim Tai bai tasweer”, Qissa
Professor Ali Baba Ka”, “Tuzk-i-Nadri urf siyahat nama-i-Hinda” and “Safar nama
Jahazbad Sindhi Ka” are fine satires on our history and culture.
Shafiq became very popular among
adolescent. He often philosophizes about joys and sorrows, sweeping the young
readers with the bouts of optimism and pessimism, giving semi-philosophical,
semi-romantic explanations to the queries that haunt the youth. In Urdu
Language his style is comparable to that of Stephen Leacock and Mark Twain in
English Literature.
He continued to write till his
death. He gave a new look to Urdu humor and is the inspiration for many of the
Leading humorists nowadays. He created a world that was very real with all its
joys, pains and anguish. It was an affirmation of human values and compassion.
The Language he used is simple and spontaneous.
His unforgettable characters
include Shaitaan, Hukoomat Aapa, Maqsood Ghora, Buddy, Nannha and others. He
ruled the world of humor for almost 60 years.
Shafiq-ur-Rehman joined the
Indian Army Medical Corps and served at different war fronts during ther Second
World War. After partition, he joined the Pakistan Army and rose to the rank of
Major General. After his retirement, he served as Chairman of the Academy of
letters of Pakistan from 1980 to 1985. During his tenure, the Academy of
Letters really flourished and touched its zenith as a Literary Institution.
Grief came to his happy life in
the shape of sad death of his son Khalique on account of an accident and his
wife’s prolonged illness.
He died on March 19, 2000 in
Rawalpindi.
He was awarded the Hilal-e-Imtiaz
for his military and civilian services on March 23, 2001 after his death. He
wrote following books:-
·
Kirnain
·
Shagoofay
·
Lehrain
·
Madd-o-Jazar
·
Pachtaway
·
Parwaaz
·
Himaqatain
·
Mazeed Himaqatain
·
Dajlah
·
Insaani Tamasha (a translation)
·
Dareechay
On Men of Letters Series Shafiq-ur-Rehman,
Pakistan Post is issuing a Commemorative Postage Stamp of Rs.8/- denomination
on June 6, 2013.Friday, May 31, 2013
100 Years of Islamia College Peshawar, Pakistan. (2013-12)
The idea of Islamia College moved on practical track in April 1911. A supervisory committee with Sahibzada Sahib as its first honorary secretary kicked off a donations campaign. Pushtun students enrolled at the Muslim University Aligarh, had already taken lead in this noble task. In 1909, when Sahibzada Sahib and Roos Keppel had made a stopover at Aligarh, these students had collectively donated sixty odd rupees to these dignitaries. The purpose was to build a Frontier hostel at Aligarh or to erect a college in Peshawar for them.
However, the 12th of April 1911 donations collection gathering held at the residence of Abdul Karim Khan Indrabi Contractor in Mohallah Mandi-Beri, Peshawar City may be remembered as the Islamia College’s founders meeting.
The vast chunk of land on which Islamia College has been standing like a beacon of knowledge and wisdom for nearly a century, is located almost at the mouth of historic Khyber Pass. Here were the relics of a second century A.D. Buddhist monastery where knowledge seekers used to come from far off places. Incidentally, this was the same big piece of land on which the valiant Afghans under Mohammad Akbar Khan had routed the armies of Harri Singh, a military commander of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1835. Khalils of Tehkal who were its owners, gave their consent for 916 Kanals and 17 marlas land to the college against Rs.39, 683 at the rate of Rs.30/- per Kanal.
Eminent freedom tighter, Haji Sahib Turangzai laid the foundation stone of the Darul Ulum and its magnificent mosque on 21st of March 1912. The Chief Commissioner, NWFP, Sir George Roos Keppel performed the inaugural ceremony of arts and science faculty building of the Islamia College the same day. A huge gathering of around 25-30 thousands people including elite and commoners, top British officials, Ulema and Afridi hill tribesmen witnessed this historic event, which put a tradition-bound warring nation on scientific education track for the first time in its thousands years old history.
The history of Islamia College as a movement would remain incomplete if it does not have some extracts from the history of freedom struggle for Pakistan. Its students played a very pivotal role in Pakistan Movement. Credit goes to Islamians for coining the name of a future Muslim state to be curved out of the British-Indian Empire in the northwest of India as “Pakistan” in March 1933.
The Founder of Pakistan, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah had visited Islamia College thrice. His first visit to this outpost of culture and civilization was on20th October 1936. He visited in the capacity of President, All India Muslim League. Professor R. H. Holdsworth, the Pricipal and Yusaf Khalil, President of Khyber Union greeted him in historic Roos Keppel Hall. He was honoured with life-membership of the Khyber Union. In his historic address on this occasion, he expressed optimism that one day Islamia College would achieve Al-Azher and Cordova grandeur.
Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s political stature was at the peak of its glory. The realization of the cherished dream of Pakistan was at hands distance when he undertook his second historic visit to this great seat of learning on 25th November 1945. Most of the students of the Islamia College were in the bodyguard contingent of Quaid. He was accorded an unprecedented and red carpet welcome at the Islamia College. The Principal, Professor Sheikh Muhammad Taimur, the President of Khyber Union, Mukhtar Ahmad and the secretary, Sarhad Muslim Students Federation, Muhammad Tehmas, affectionately known as Papa, paid rich tributes to the farsightedness, political acumen and leadership qualities of Quaid-e-Azam. The Quaid had in fact designated the Islamia College students for mustering support for Pakistan, which they successfully won.
Pakistan emerged on the map of the world as a sovereign state on 14th of August 1947. The Islamia College students fought pitched political battles for Pakistan on Quaid’s behalf in cities, towns and villages of the province and tribal territories. How Quaid could forget them. Hardly eight months after the making of Pakistan, he revisted Islamia College and the NWFP for the third and last time in his life. It was 12th of April 1948 that Quaid came to this historic institution as governor general of an independent state. His dearest sister, Miss. Fatima Jinnah accompanied him in this last visit to Frontier province taking off from Islamia College. The college Principal, Professor ACT Brotherton and Abdul Halim, an ideological homeland for the Muslims in the South Asia.
The Father of the Nation acknowledged the services of the Islamia College students towards making of Pakistan in these words:
“I am indeed very happy to be present here today and to have the privilege of addressing the students of this great Darul Ulum, who are the future builders of Pakistan. On this occasion the thing uppermost in my mind is the help that came for the movement and achievement of Pakistan from the student community, particularly from this province. May I say that you have played your part magnificently?”
The Islamia College, its Collegiate School and its mosque are a unique combination of Buddhist, Islamic and Gothic architectures. The dooms at the rooftop of the college building are on Buddhist stupa style. A large number of small, medium and large sixe minarets and arches represent Islamic architecture. While the building’s shape gives a reflection of Gothic architecture, the front view of its building is like the University of Aligarh of India. However, Islamic architecture is more visible in Islamia College’s front view. Its Islamic architecture is more close to the Gordon College, Khartoum, Sudan. The image of the main building of Islamia College is printed on the Rs. 1000 currency note.
The Islamia College put its first step on unending journey of knowledge and wisdom on 1st of October 1913, six months after the inauguration of school. Like its unique architecture, its educational curriculum was also unique. It was designed to hand down the benefits of western arts and sciences under the umbrella of Islamic precepts to the people of NWFP and its tribal areas. The Darul Ulum, in this manner, enjoined the two parallel Muslim renaissance movements of late nineteenth century – the Devband and the Aligarh. This gave birth to a new unifield movement towards Muslims reawakening in the northwestern corner of British-India. This new movement was called the Islamia College movement.
Islamia College emerged as a beacon of scientific knowledge and torchbearer of supreme ethical and religious values. Nearly a century long journey, the college has become an icon of academic par excellence. Its motto is “Rab-I-Zidni Ilma” (O Lord, enhance me in knowledge). Allah the Almighty has bestowed His special blessing on this Darul Ulum. The college, which began its educational voyage with just 33 students in 1913, after 100 years of its sailing has more than 9500 students today. It has sent to practical field more than 80,000 students so far, who are serving the country and the nation.
Modernity came hand-in-hand to this area with the establishment of Islamia College in 1913. The Indian Postal and Telegraph Department established a post-cum-telegraph office near Islamia College in early 1914. The college authorities granted two rooms to the post office in 1915 to cater the communication needs of around 300 Islamian campus residents. This post office was shifted to Khyber House in 1917, when a market was emerged here, which is commonly known today as Coffee Shop Bazaar. This post office has been lifted to the status of Post Mall today.
An institution which went on spreading enlightenment and fragrance of knowledge and wisdom in 1913 with only ten teachers, today have more than 150 teachers of whom twenty-five have Ph.D degrees while twenty-two teachers have M.Phil degrees. Twenty-four teaching departments have been accommodating more than 9500 students at intermediate, degree and post-degree level. An educational institution is a place where if any thing is most needed it is discipline. It teaches students the value of time, it infuses in them a spirit of doing things systematically and it also builds the character of individuals.
Libraries are treasurers and storehouses of knowledge and wisdom. The new portion hosts most modern books on a large number of subjects. The Islamia College library has seen a steady growth in its collection of books. Around 1930, its oriental collection of books multiplied many times when a handsome amount of thirty thousand rupees was sanctioned. In 1963-64, the collection of books rose to forty thousand. The total number of books in this library went up to seventy-five thousands in 1988. Today, the library houses more than eighty-five thousand books.
At present, Islamia College library is among the finest libraries of this region after burning down and theft of libraries in Kabul because of civil war in Afghanistan. However, a good number of books on Afghanistan, NWFP and its tribal belt, with their first editions, both printed in Great Britain and Kabul, are available in the Islamia College library.
Like academics, the performance of Islamia College students in sports has always been superb. The college gave two captains to Pakistan National Hockey Team. Its Brigadier Hameedi steered Pakistan to victory against India in Hockey in the Rome Olympics 1960. Late Qazi Mohib also remained the captain of Pakistan national squad in Hockey for many years in 1980’s.
Khyber Union Hall is the epicenter of co-curricular activities on Islamia College campus. It had now become a relic of students’ union days. The Islamians elected body used to be called Khyber Union and it continued to function from 1921 to 1983 until the students unions elections were declared illegal in the educational institutions.
The Khyber Union has so far granted honorary life-membership to a number of distinguished personalities in different fields of life. They are Sir Mian Mohammad Shafi (1922), Nawab Sir Sahibzada Abdul Qaiyum Khan (1922), Sir Shuja-ul-Mulk, Mether of Chitral (1924), Khan Bahadur Mian FAzli Hussain, education minister, government of India (1925), Shah Wali Khan, Afghan Ambassador to Great Britain (1929), Prince Azam Jah of Hyderabad Deccan, India (1930), Shahzada Muazzam Jah of Deccan (1930), Sir Ralph Griffith, governor of NWFP (1934), Khalida Adeeb Khanum, a prolific writer of Turkey (1935), Sir Abdur Rahim, president of legislative assembly (1935), Muhammad Ali Jinnah, President of All India Muslim League (1936), Jawaher Lal Nahru, President of Indian National Congress (1937), Mahatama Gandhi (1938), His Highness Muhammad Nasirul Mulk, Mehter of Chitral (1938), Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (1939), Sir Akbar Hydari (1940), His Highness Nawab Hamidullah Khan, Nawab of Bhopal (1942), Sir George Cunningham, governor of NWFP (1943), Sardar Abdur Rab Nishtar, communication minister, government of India (1947), Alhaj Khawja Nazimuddinn, governor-general of Pakistan (1948), FAzlur Rehman, education minister, government of Pakistan (1949), Dr. Mahud Hussain, education advisor, government of Pakistan (1949), His Majesty Mohammad Raza Shah Pehlvi of Iran (1950), Mir Laiq Ali, former prime minister, Hyderabad Deccan (1951), Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt (1952), Sardar Abdur Rashid Khan, chief minister of NWFP (1954), Qurban Ali Khan, governor of NWFP (1955), Khan Abdul Qayyum Khan, chief minister NWFP (1956), Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah (1962) and Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan, Pakistan’s nuclear scientist (2002).
The students and teachers of Islamia College have always felt themselves indebted to their alma mater. The first tribute to the dignified building of Islamia College came from Mrs. Tipping, the wife of British Principal of the college, Professor. L. Tipping in 1913. An oil painting made by her of this college is a masterpiece of painting today. The photograph/CD of this is being sent for issue of commemorative stamp.
The lush green Campus of Islamia College is virtually like a paradise. The barren piece of land on which Islamia College was established in 1913 has turned into a grassy and flowery garden on a 300 acres area in the course of time. When breeze blows across Islamia College, it spreads fragrance all around of knowledge, enlightenment and affection. Its tall trees kissing the forehead of skies tell the story of those who dedicated their lives in turning a desert into an oasis. A few yards away along the western gate of Islamia College are standing two giant trees of Salmalia (Sumbul). Therse are the forerunners of a queue of lofty Pistacia, Plantanus (Chinar), Ficus Relgiosa (Peepal) and Shesham trees on Islamia campus. The vast grassy grounds with multiple coloures eye-catching flower lanes at their boundaries lend Islamia College landscape a touch of heaven.
Islamia College is proud to have a galaxy of old guards who take keen interest in the well being of the college, its academics and other kinds of co-curricular activities. This gamut of former students is called Senior Alumni Association of Islamia College. It reorganized its work in the year 2000. More than 650 former students of the college are its members. The Senior Alumni is playing a very important and serious role in financially assisting the deserving and academically outstanding students in the pursuit of knowledge. It grants 150 scholarships from its NWFP and Islamabad chapter resources annually since 2000. Alot a total of Rs.4428000 has so for been contributed by SAA towards students welfare. The Senior Alumni is also working on compiling a comprehensive history of the Islamia College Peshawar to be published on centenary celebrations of Islamia College in 2013. Some of the illustrious personalities of ICP are one president Ghulam Ishaq Khan to Islamic Republic of Pakistan and 9 Governors to Khyber Pukhtunkhwa. Such as Col Khurshid Sahibzada, Mr. Aslam Khattak, Mr. Hayat Muhammad Khan Sherpao, Arbab Sikandar Khan Khalil, Maj Gen (R). Khurshid Ali Khan, Comdr Khalil ur Rehman, Lt Gen (R). Ali Muhammad Jan Aurakzai and Lt Gen (R). Imranullah Khan Ex Governor Balochistan.
It was the heartiest desire of Sir Sahibzada Abdul Qaiyum Khan – the Sir Syed of Sarhad – that the Darul Ulum should become a university one day. He expressed this desire while welcoming the new NWFP Governor Sir Hamilton Grant on 20th December 1919 on behalf of the Board of Trustees of the College. No authentic historical record is available to answer as to why this desire of Nawazada S. A. Qaiyum remained unfulfilled. However, after the creation of Pakistan, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah visited Islamia College for the last time in his life in April 1948. He promised a university here. His trusted lieutenant, Nawabzada Liaquat Ali Khan fulfilled this promise by inaugurating University of Peshawar in October 1950. The government of Pakistan kept intact the historic status of Islamia College and allocated university in its immediate neighborhood.
However, the Islamians – both old and new boys and teachers, continued their struggle for up gradation of their college to university level so as to pay homage and tribute to its founders who also thought of a university on the ICP campus. Their efforts, particularly, of Senior Alumni, bore fruit on December 4, 2007, when after 94 years of the establishment of Islamia College, found the status of a public sector university.
The former NWFP governor, Lt.-Gen. (retired) Ali Muhammad Jan Aurakzai and the then provincial caretaker chief minister, Engineer Shamsul Mulk, both old Islamians, deserve special thanks for taking up seriously the matter of upgrading ICP to university level. The groundwork in the direction of turning ICP into ICUP was carried out during the Principalship of Professor Dr. Nisar Muhammad Nisar, who also deserves equal appreciation from Islamians.
The Islamia College Peshawar came up to its age in September 2007 with the launching of its girls section under the administrative and academic competence of Professor Nisar Muhammad Nisar. The introduction of female education on a campus which remained reserved for males for around a century was certainly an uphill task. But the efforts of a century for enlightenment in a traditions-bound society anyhow made inroads.
On Completion of 100 years of Islamia College Peshawar, Pakistan Post is issuing a commemorative postage stamp of Rs..8/- denomination on May 30, 2013.
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