Centenary of Customs 1879-1979 December 10, 1979

1978 marked the completion of a hundred years of service by the Cus-toms Department as guardians of the economic and fiscal frontiers of the areas which now constitute Pakistan. Although the concept of Custom dawned with the era when man learnt the secret of international trade, the history of Customs in the sub-continent can be traced to the Mirs and the subsequent British Administration. The year 1878 marked a focal point in Customs administration, for it was in this year that laws were consolidated in the Sea Customs Act, 1878 At the time, Customs revenue collection was mere 3 lac rupees. a figure which is dwarfed by the collection of about rupees 1200 crore this year 60 % of the federal revenue budget.
Independence necessitated a new set of priorities and requisites which led to the repeal of the Sea Customs Act 1878 and to the birth of the Custom Act of 1969,The Custom Department apart from collection of duties on import and export, facilitates international passenger traffic into and out of Pakistan, contributes to industrial production and export promotion through incentives. Its watchword is efficiency, courtesy and integrity.
Today, as may be seen from the map, there are over 24 Custom Establishments allover the country, protecting the nations economic and fiscal frontiers from the beaches of Gwadar and Karachi, to the planes of Lahore and the rugged mountains of the Khyber.
To commemorate one hundred years of Customs Services Pakistan Post Office is issuing a postage stamp of Re. 1/- denomination on 10-12-1979.

Fight Against Cancer November 12, 1979

As part of a campaign to create awareness among the people about mankind’s formidable foe-the Cancer,’ Pakistan Post Office is issuing a special postage stamp of Paisa 40 denomination on November 12, 1979. A postage stamp of 1 5 paisa denomination was also issued on December 26.1967 on this theme.
Cancer is a quiet killer. Its victims are both men and animals. It can afflict any organ or tissue of the body and it is known for its abnormal and apparently unrestricted growth of body cells which form themselves in the shape of tumors that attack and destroy nearby tissue. Some of these tumors grow slowly and some rapidly. It is a disease which is not restricted to any race or climate.
Researches have been going on for several decades to gain insight into the cause of the several kinds of cancer, which could eventually lead to cure. The momentum of these researches has increased appreci-ably during the recent past. It has been a relentless effort engaging some of the world’s leading brains and huge sums of money are being spent to keep. the good work going.
Much of this research work has been benefiting mankind from the better knowledge and techniques acquired in the fight against cancer. An increasing number of patients suffering from cancer and other malignant diseases are being treated at Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission’s (PAEC) five Nuclear Medical Centres in the country at Karachi. Jamshoro, Multan, Lahore and Peshawar. A sixth one completed at Larkana will be function-ing shortly. In the absence of any definite cure, the. only alternative to control and prevent cancer is “caution and prevention”. The following seven steps to health are suggested by specialists for the prevention and early detection of cancer.
1. Have a regular medical and dental check up.
2. Watch for any change in your normal state of health.
3. Find out about any lump or sore that does not heal.
4. Protect yourself against too much sunlight.
5. Do not smoke.
6. Have a pap test.
7. Do a monthly breast self-examination.
Cancer Association of Pakistan has also recently been established under the aegis of Hamdard National Foundation, Pakistan to create greater awareness about cancer and is doing appreciable work in this respect.

International Year of The Child- 1979 October 2, 1979

The United Nations General Assembly in its resolution of 21st December, 1976 proclaimed 1979 as the International Year of the Child (lYC)”. This coincides with the 20th anniversary of the ‘Declaration of the Rights of the Child’ adopted by the United Nations on November 20. 1979 which include the right to adequate prenatal and post-natal care, nutrition, housing, medical care, education, recreation etc.
By declaring 1979’ as the international Year of the Child’ the United Nations has invited the world community to renew and reaffirm the concern for the present condition and the future of its children as enunciated in the ‘Rights of the Child’ proclaimed twenty years ago. The Government of Pakistan is celebrating the International Year of the Child in a befitting manner. A National Organizing Committee has been formed under the directions of the President of Pakistan. who is the Patron-in-Chief of the IYC-1979. for making necessary preparations to celebrate the year.
In order to draw world attention to this important event, Pakistan Post Office is issuing a set of four stamps and a Souvenir sheet on 22.10.1979.
For the first time in its history Pakistan Post Office held a painting competition of school going children at Karachi, Quetta, Lahore, Islamabad and Peshawar for selection of designs for the Commemoratives in collaboration with the Arts Council of Pakistan. Paintings of the following five children were selected for reproduction on the four stamps and a Souvenir sheet Master Zaeem Maloof aged 13 years, of Tameer-e-Nau High School. Quetta (painting reproduced on 40 paisa stamp).
Miss Roohi Akbar aged 13 years of Lower Secondary grade in Queen’s Marry College, Lahore (reproduced on 75 paisa stamp).
(iii) Master Mohammad Azam aged 13 years of Crescent Model school. Lahore, (reproduced on Re 1/- stamp). (iv) Master Mohammad Tayyab aged 10 years. of Crescent Model School, Lahore (reproduced on Rs. 1.50 stamp). (v) Miss Nighat Mumtaz. aged 12 years of Lower Secondary grade in PAF, Intermediate College. Peshawar (reproduced on the Souvenir sheet).
The Souvenir Sheet is valid for the prepayment of Postage.

SOS Children Village September 10, 1979

SOS Children’s village International is a non-denominational, non-political, social welfare organization dedicated to providing the best possible care to orphaned and abandoned children all over the world. The first SOS children’s village was established in 1949 at Imst in Austria by Dr. Harmann Gmeiner. His desire was to provide conditions as close as possible to the natural homes these children had been deprived of by providing ‘a mother, brothers and sisters’ and the security of a family life. This concept of child care proved so successful that now, thirty years later, there are no less than 135 SOS Children’s villages in over 60 countries of the world.
The pilot project of SOS Children’s village in Pakistan was inaugurated by the President of Pakistan in Lahore on January 2nd, 1978. It covers an area Of more than thirty thousand square yards. It comprises several buildings which include multipurpose community centre, an auditorium, administrative offices, canteen, village shop, a library and nursery classes and a residential area for the lady staff members. Recreational interests, indoor games and television sets have been provided for the amusement of the children. A well equipped medical care unit with a dispensary and two sick rooms has also been provided.
There are 15 houses in the SOS Children’s village Lahore; each house is an independent unit and accommodates 9 children with a house-mother. The children live in their own houses and the house mothers of the respective houses do the cooking and take care of their children. There are at present more than sixty children in the village from different parts of the country. The Population Planning Association of Pakistan and the Social Welfare Department, Government of Pakistan are helping the organization to find deserving children in need of a home.
This unique approach has proved so successful that more and more’ villages are being construct-ed in many parts of the world. The, management of SOS Children’s village, Pakistan is also planning to establish two more villages in Pakistan, one at Abbottabad and the other at Karachi in the near future so as to serve as a model for all orphanages.
To commemorate the first anniversary of the establishment of SOS Children’s village, Lahore and the thirtieth anniversary of SOS Children’s Villages International, Pakistan Post Office is issuing a stamp of the denomination of 50 paisa on the 10th September, 1979.

Handicrafts of Pakistan August 23, 1979

Pakistan with its five thousand-year-old civilisation has a rich heritage of handicrafts. The different regions with wide variety of tradition and culture, dialects, folklore, music, dresses and costumes have much to offer to any connoisseur of handicrafts. The Kashmiri Shawls, the Baluchi and Sindhi embroidery work, the Peshawari chappals and carpets, camel skin lamps of Multan, Gujrati pottery and the wood and brass work done in different parts of Pakistan have all a charm of their own.
In order to focus attention on the rich heritage of handicraft in our country, Pakistan Post Office is issuing a special series consisting of four stamps depicting specimens of (i) Guj embroidered shirt (Guj is a Sindhi term for woman’s wedding shirt) (ii) Enamel inlaid brass plate (iii) Baskets and (iv) Chain-stitch embroidered rug in the denominations of 40 paisa Re 1/-. Rs. 1.50 and Rs. 2/-. respectively.

15th Anniversary of R.C.D. July 21, 1979

Regional Co-operation for Development stands for close Socio-Economic and Cultural collaboration between Iran, Pakistan and Turkey based upon considerations of geographical contiguity and common heritage of history and culture. Ever since its creation4 15 years ago, R. C. D. has played an expanding role in promoting closer co-operation amongst people of this region. Some very concrete activities in the fields of Industry and Trade, Insurance and Banking, Transport and Communications. Technical and Cultural co-operation. Tourism and Postal services are to its credit.
To mark its anniversary which falls on 21st July each of the three countries issues a set of three stamps on a common subject one design being chosen from each country. The set being issued this year reproduces a painting each from Iran, Turkey and Pakistan. The stamps issued by Pakistan are in the denominations of 40 paisa, 75 paisa and Rs. 1 .60. The stamp of the value of 40 paisa depicts ‘A village scene’ painted by (late) Ustad Allah Bakhsh, a celebrated artist of Pakistan.
The stamp of the value of 75 paisa depicts the famous painting ‘Gold-smith with his helper at work’ by the famous Iranian artist (late) Mohammad Ghafari known as Kemal Al MoIk. The Turkish painting, depicted on the stamp of the denomination of Rs. 1.60, is a masterpiece named ‘Harvest’ by (late) Namik Ismail. the renowned Turkish painter.

Wildlife- Pheasants June 17, 1979

Four rare varieties of pheasants namely Monal (Lophophorous lmpeja-nus), White crested Kalij (Lophura leucomelana), Koklas (Puccrasia Macrobpha) and Cheer (Catreus Wallichii) have been depicted in multi colour in the stamps of 20 Paisa, 25 Paisa, 40 Paisa and 1/- Rupee respectively.
The fifth set in the series of wildlife stamps which are being issued by the Pakistan Post Office to focus attention on the need to preserve wildlife in the country will be released on 17th June. 1979. The set consists of 4 stamps of the denomination of 20-Paisa, 25-Paisa, 40-Paisa and Re. 1/- depicting four rare varieties of Pheasants namely Monal, White-crested Kalij. Koklas and Cheer. Earlier issues on wildlife include a set of two stamps each on (i) Black Partridge (30 September. 1975) (ii) Urial (31 December, 1975) (iii) Peacock (31 March, 1976) and (iv) Ibex (12 July, 1976).
(i) MONAL PHEASANT : (Lophophorus impejanus)
The male has a long racket-shaped crest of metallic green feathers with the head and throat of a rainbow shade. The nape and side of the neck have a brilliant reddish copper shade; the wings are purple and blue. The female is darkish brown, finely marked with pale buff on the upper parts, including the head and neck.
The Monal lives principally near the tree line at 1 0.000 feet in the northern mountainous forests of Pakistan. It can survive in deep snow and does not descend to lower altitudes even in winter. Breeding season is from April to June; 4 to 6 eggs are laid and incubation period is 28 days.
(ii) WHITE - CRESTED KALIJ PHEASANT: (Lophura leucomelana)
The male is a glistening metallic gun-metal blue with a grayish white head-crest and scale-like pattern on the back and wing coverts. His rump feathers have broader wide margins and lanceolate shaped breast feathers are brown and buff. The female is a drab brown with paler buff margins to the feathers over the mantle and wing coverts giving a scale-like effect. Both male and female have a broad circular patch of bright scarlet facial skin. During the summer it is found in the high pine forests of the northern parts of Pakistan at as high an altitude as 12000 feet. but comes down to lower altitude during the winter. Breeding season of Kalij is June to August; 8 to 14 eggs are laid and the incubation period is 24 to 25 days.
(iii) KOKLAS PHEASANT:. (Puccrasia Macrolopha)
Koklas are medium sized and the plumage of male and female is not very dissimilar in colour. The male has a long crest of which the centre feathers are rufous brown and the outer greenish black. The head is glossy green-black, entirely feathered and there is a large white patch on the side of the neck. The female has a short, pale buff crest and face, the crown buff barred with black; chin and throat are creamy white with lines of small black spots on the sides. Koklas are found between 4.000 feet and 13000 feet in the northern mountain ranges of Pakistan. The breeding season is may; 6 to 9 eggs are laid and incubation period is 25 to 26 days.
(iv) CHEER PHEASANT: (Catreus Wallichii)
Cheer Pheasant is much larger than the Kalij or Koklas. Both, male and female, have a bright scarlet patch of bare skin and a short crest of backward projecting feathers. Its most striking feature is its long straight pointed tail each feather horizontally cross-barried With dark brown alternating with paler creamy buff. Its rump and wings are chestnut brown and its legs are dark brown. The. crown is blackish with buff borders to the feathers. The upper parts are rusty brown and black with broad sub-terminal black bars. Cheer pheasants are monogamous and usually found in pairs of family parties on the steep hills and rocky cliffs in the open scrib forest in the small valleys and ravines in the northern areas of Pakistan between 1400 to 3500 feet elevation. Breeding season is April to June; 9 to 14 eggs are laid and the incubation period is 26 to 27 days.

Pioneers of Freedom March 23, 1979

Portraits of Tipu Sultan Shaheed. Sir Syed Ahmad Khan and Altaf Hussain Hall are shown in multicolour in stamps of Rs. 10/-, Rs. 15/-and Rs. 25/- respectively.
In order to pay homage to those who worked and died for the emancipation of the Muslims in South Asian sub-continent, Pakistan Post Office is bringing out a series of stamps called the ‘Pioneers of Freedom’ series. The first three stamps in this series in the denominations of Rs. 10, Rs. 15 and Rs. 25 which will be released on 23.3.79 are devoted to the memory of Tipu Sultan (Shaheed). Sir Syed Ahmad Khan and Altaf Hussain Hali. The history of the freedom movement in South Asia sub-continent is a long drawn out struggle laden with immense sacrifices rendered by men belonging to different walks of life. In this galaxy of freedom fighters we find men who fought valiantly against the British Imperialists, those who suffered persecution at their hands for spreading ideas that could kindle and spark of freedom in the hearts of their country men and those who were sent to the gallows for having participated in the freedom struggle. The creation of Pakistan in 1947 under the dynamic leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah is thus the culmination of a sustained effort and the fruit of the sacrifices made by millions of Muslims. The contribution of the three men who are being commemorated through the first three stamps in this series are of the highest order in their respective fields.
Tipu Sultan (Shaheed) of Mysore (1750-1799) : was the last independent ruler of Mysore. An intrepid soldier, a benevolent ruler and a farsighted politician, he realized early in his life the design of the British Imperialists in the sub-continent. He knew that a decisive war with them was inevitable but before embarking upon it he started consolidating his own kingdom by reforming the administrative machinery and re-organising the army. In his last fight against the British when betrayed by his own trusted lieutenant he preferred to die like a lion than live like a jackal. Although vanquished in battle his memory continued to stir the hearts of millions of his countrymen who carried on the fight after him till finally the foreigners were driven out from this sub-continent in 1947.
Sir Syed Ahmad Khan (1817-1898) ~ was among those who shaped the destiny of Muslims in the Indo-Pak, sub-continent and galvanized a frustrated mass of people into a nation with a future. He was born at a time when the continued existence of the Muslims in the sub-continent as a separate entity was in serious jeopardy. For nearly half a century he struggled against the apathy and despondency that had settled upon the Muslims in the wake of their defeat in the war of Independence of 1857 and finally took them out of the abyss gave them a national identity, enthused them with hope and gave clarity to their thinking: in short, put them on the road to progress and freedom.
Altaf Hussain Hali (1837 — 1914): was born at a time when in his own words “the conditions were such that there was no need of condemning a Muslim; his being a Muslim was crime enough”. He was an eye-witness to the catastrophy that befell the Muslims after 1857 when they had to bear the brunt of the revengeful policy of the of the British Government. A contemporary and close associate of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan he worked hand in hand with him in the revival of the Muslims. His greatest contribution in this field was through his poetry. His great ‘Musaddas’ is one of the most inspiring poems in Urdu literature and had a lasting influence on the, minds and attitudes of the Muslims in the sub-continent and continues to inspire them to this day. Above all, its critical Preface “the Muqaddima-i-Sher-o-Shairi” gave a new and purposeful trend to Urdu poetry and led the way to literary criticism in Urdu literature.

30 Years of Apwa’s Services 25, Feb, 1979

DESCRIPTION:
The stamp symbolically represents the aims and objects of ‘APWA’ i.e. improvement and progress of Pakistan’s women in Economic, Social, Health and Educational sphere.
All Pakistan Women’s Association (APWA), which enjoys a Consultative -Status with the Government of Pakistan, UNICEF and ECOSOC (U.N.) category was founded in February, 1949 by Begum Ra’ana Liaquat All Khan, Nishan-e-Imtiaz, with the following aims and objectives.
1) Informed and intelligent participation of the women of Pakistan, in the growth and development of their country.
2) Advancement and welfare of the Pakistani women, through the impro-vement of their legal, political, social and economic status.
3) Promotion of educational and cultural programmes and policies all over the country.
4) Promotion of the health and well being of the people of Pakistan, in the home arid in the community.
5) Promotion of international goodwill and brotherhood of mankind.
In course of time it has been able to extend the benefits of its services and programmes through a net work of provincial and district branches spread all over the country.
Establishment of industrial homes, mother’s clubs, educational institutions, and a variety of programmes in the field of health, cottage industry and rural reconstruction form the main features of APWA’s activities. There are more than a 100 APWA community centres in the four provinces and permanent rural training-cum-demonstration centres set up with the aid of UNICEF. Pilot project demonstration-centres have been set up using modern scientific methods as well as home making skills.
From its very inception APWA started health services through its various projects and established dispensaries, hospitals and clinics where preventive as well as curative health services are provided and lecture on health arid hygiene are given.
APWA has set up industrial homes in urban as well as rural areas with a view to draw on regional resources for economic betterment. APWA training centres help women to acquire skills according to their abilities and become responsible and earning members of their families.
APWA’s multi-purpose projects have regular tailoring and cutting classes in the industrial homes. The trainees earn while they learn and produce some of the finest traditional stitch crafts and embroidery work which are put on sale at APWA shops are reasonable prices. A large portion of the income derived from such sales is allocated for the destitute-. women’s home.
To mark 30 years of APWA’s services Pakistan Post Office has brought out a commemorative postage stamp of 50 Paisa denomination which in its design portrays a few aspects of the achievements and services of APWA.

12th Rabi-ul-Awwal 1399 A.H. Commemoration February 10, 1979

The main features of the stamp are the HOLY QURAN and RAUDHA-E-MUBARAK.
On the top the HOLY “QURAN” is shown as a source of light which has wiped out darkness from this world. The Urdu translation of a verse from the Holy Quran i.e.

appears above the globe in black. The Holy Prophet’s Mausoleum and the Masjid-e-Nabvi appears in the lower portion of the stamp. The Lunar Hijra date i.e.

appears in reverse against blue background in vertical position.

The twelfth of Rabi-ul.Awwal -which this year falls on the 10th of February 1979-is a day of rejoicing riot only for Muslims but for all men. For on this day was born a man who gave to those who believed in him a revolutionary religion but who also spread-forth ideas, thoughts and values which had a universal appeal. No one has ever influenced the ideas of mankind as profoundly as he did or ever will. This man was Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) who forty years after his birth proclaimed a divine message which promised immense spiritual and moral up-liftment to mankind without asking it to sacrifice its essential human nature. This was the message of Islam, the message of peace — peace within the inner self, born out of spiritual and moral satisfaction and peace without, through fairness and social justice leading to a society based on relationships distinguished by love, consideration, tolerance, dignity of the individual and equality among men.

The teachings of the Prophet (Peace be upon him) are enshrined in the HOLY QURAN, the compilation of the exact text as revealed to him through divine revelation. It is this book which guides Muslims to attain spiritual salvation, acquire moral stature as well as tells them how to order their life in mundane affairs. All that is enjoined by the HOLY QIJRAN is perfectly exemplified in the life of the Prophet (Peace be upon him) and his close associates. Thus a Muslim has for his guidance not only the teaching of the Quran but the example of the life of the Prophet (Peace be upon him) and his close associates to order his life accordingly. Islam is not merely a faith but also an ideology which offers a frame-work for meeting the social, economic and political needs of mankind. It was this ideology which was at the root of the demand for a separate homeland for the Muslims of Indo--Pakistan sub-continent. This home-land, Pakistan. came into being more than thirty-one years ago. During this period considerable lip-service continued to be paid to this ideology but little was done to put it into practice. The 12th of Rabi-ul.Awwal which Muslims in Pakistan will celebrate as the birthday of the Prophet of Islam (Peace be upon him) is a fit occasion for making a beginning towards molding their polity, their society and their economy so as to truly follow the tenets of Islam. This day is thus of great significance to Pakistan and its people.

This is, however, a day which is revered in many countries separated by geographical and linguistic barriers but which are linked with each other in the universal brotherhood of Islam. To mark the day the Pakistan Post Office has brought out a postage stamp which in its design pays homage to the Prophet (Peace be upon him) and suggests that the light flowing from the HOLY QURAN could illuminate the darkest corner of the world. May this light ever shine in Pakistan and the entire Muslim world ; Ameen.