Showing posts with label Stamps of Pakistan Year's 2013. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Stamps of Pakistan Year's 2013. Show all posts
Saturday, December 28, 2013
Thursday, December 26, 2013
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Monday, September 9, 2013
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.
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Men of Letters Series Syed Zamir Jafri (1916-1999) 2013-11
Men of Letters Series Syed Zamir Jafri
(1916 – 1999) Commemorative Postage Stamp May 29, 2013:- Syed Zamir Jafri (1st
January 1916-12 May 1999) was born in Chak Abdul Khaliq near Dina, district
Jhelum. He was a legendary poet with unique poetic diction and fresh ideas. A
scholar and trendsetter in humorous poetry in tandem with serious poetry. He
was a true patriot who effectively made his pen a source of preaching the
message of peace and love for mankind. His writing are a valuable asset of Urdu
literature. He has on his credit over 70 published books of poetry and prose,
which represent a varied range of creative works.
Syed Zamir
Jafri was a renowned humorist, columnist, broadcaster and telecaster wrote in
Urdu, Punjabi and English. In addition to original works, he also translated
into Urdu verse “Malay Folk Lore” (Pantuns) of Malaysia, along with a few poems
from Nazar-ul-Islam (Bangali) and translations from the monumental Punjabi
classic, the “Saif-ul-Malook”. As a humorist, he had his stamp of his own,
making him the most sought after poet in poet recitals (Mushiara) within the
country and abroad. As a Co-Editor, he was responsible for production of the
“Urdu Punch” the most sophisticated and esteemed journal of Urdu humour. After
graduating from Islamia College Lahore, he started his career as a journalist
in Lahore but soon after joined the Royal Indian Army War Propaganda Directorate
when the Second World War started. After serving at the headquarters in Delhi
he was posted in the Far East. After independence, he continued to serve in the
Education Corps of Pakistan Army and participated in the 1948 Kashmir
liberation and 1965 Indo-Pak War. He held various staff and field assignments
including Pakistan Military Academy and Inter Service Public Relations
Directorate. In 1965 he retired from the Army as a Major and thereafter, was
appointed as the first Director Public Relations of Capital Development
Authority (CDA). He remained on this post for over fifteen years and had the
honour of naming the roads and residential / commercial sectors of the new
capital. He then served on contract assignments as the Deputy Director General
of Pakistan National Centre and then as Advisor to the Chief Commissioner
Afghan Refugees and lastly as the Chief Editor in Academy of Letters.
Syed Zamir
Jafri wrote serious and humorous poetry, but his letter form of writing gained
more popularity and recognition. He had knack of combining serious and even
grim facts with humour. He seldom used irony, burlesque or horse laughter in
his writings; but brought within its level of pure humour, apparently non
serious, and some time nonsensical as defined in literary criticism. His poetic
process can be seen at its best in his most popular collection “Mafiz-Zamir”.
This anthology presents Syed Zamir Jafri as a cultured and sophisticated
humourist.
Syed Zamir
Jafri paints environment from an objective point of view, which reflects his
subjective response to it. His inspiration by his passion for reform is evident
but his satire is not very loud. This is illustrated in the poetic journey he
traversed from 1947 to 1974. During this period, he had become a very popular
poet who was invited to Mushairas in Pakistan and abroad – to India, countries
of Europe, Middle East and North America. He was awarded with the
Tamgha-e-Quaid-e-Azam in 1967 and the President’s Pride of Performance in 1985
in recognitions of his services in the field of Urdu literature.
Syed Zamir
Jafri was also famous for his serious poetry. His collection titled, “Kalyan”
comprises ghazals and short poems. They deal with the experiences of love and
personal relations, besides th social and class relationships. His greatest
contribution in serious poetry consists of national songs (Tranas), which he
wrote at different national occasions. He was thus looked upon as an important
poet who is patriotic and loyal to the country. He declined the acceptance of
the “Akbar Allahabadi Cash Award” announced by India in 1990 as a protest
against Indian atrocities in the Indian-held Kashmir. He also wrote some prose
books but most of all, the prized ones were his diaries written from his
student days till his demise. He thus followed old poetic models, with almost
perfect command over the Urdu language. He developed a catholic taste for
poetry of various kinds and different poetic rhythms in numerous forms. Syed
Zamir Jafri died on 12 May 1999 in New York, USA, leaving behind his unmatched
work for lovers of Urdu literature. His services in blending the art of serious
and humorous poetry in Urdu language will always be remembered. “Syed Zamir
Jafri Foundation” was formed soon after his death to preserve and promote his
literary works.
On Men of
Letters Series Syed Zamir Jafri, Pakistan Post is issuing a Commemorative
Postage Stamp of Rs.8/- denomination on May 29, 2013.
Pioneers of Freedom Series Nawab Sadiq Muhammad Khan Abbasi V. (1904-1966) 2013-10
Pioneers Of Freedom Series Nawab Sadiq
Muhammad Khan Abbasi V (1904 – 1966) Commemorative Postage Stamp May 24, 2013:-
General Nawab Sadiq Muhammad Khan Abbasi V 29, September 1904 – 24 May 1966)
was the Nawab, and later Amir, of Bahawalpur State from 1907 to 1966. He became
the Nawab on the death of his father, when he was only three years old. A
Council of Regency, with Sir Rahim Bakhsh as its President, ruled on his behalf
until 1924. The Nawab served as an officer with the Indian Army, fighting in
the Third Afghan War (1919) and commanding forces in the Middle East during the
Second World War. In August 1947, the Nawab received the title of Amir of
Bahawalpur, acceding his State to the Dominion of Pakistan a month later. In
1955, the Amir was promoted to General in the Pakistan Army and merged his
state into West Pakistan. He died in 1966, aged 61. Under his rule Bahawalpur
State comprised an area larger than Denmark or Belgium. By 1947 Bahawalpur
State’s institutions, largely set up by successive British advisors with
support from the rulers, consisted of departments run by trained civil
servants; there was a Ministerial Cabinet headed by a Prime Minister; the State
Bank was the Bank of Bahawalpur with branches outside the State also, including
Karachi; there was a high court and lower courts; a trained police force and an
army commanded by officers trained at the Royal Indian Military Academy Dehra
Dhoon. Nawab had a keen interest in education, which was free till A-level and
the State’s Government provided scholarships of merit for higher education not
only for its own citizens but also brilliant Muslim students of whole India. In
1951, the Nawab donated 450 acres in Bahawalpur for the construction of Sadiq
Public School. Nawab was known for his relationship with the Quaid-i-Azam,
Founder of Pakistan.
Early Life:- Sir Sadiq Muhammad Khan
Abbasi was born at Doulat Khan, Bahawalpur on 29 September 1904, the only son
and heir of Haji Nawab Muhammad Bahawal Khan Abbasi V, Nawab of the state of
Bahawalpur. When only two and a helf, his father fell ill and died while at sea
off the Adencoast, on 15 February 1907, leaving Sadiq as ruler of Bahawalpur. He
was educated at Aitchision College, Lahore. At the age of 15, Sadiq fought in
the Third Afghan War in 1919, was knighted in 1922 when he reached his majority
and was invested with the throne two years later by Lord Reading. In 1929 he
visited Egypt and was a guest of the King. Very fond of cars, he bought a Rolls
Royce Phantom car, one of the two Cars on display at the Cairo Show. Here he
contracted a marriage with an Ottoman princess, divorcing one of his previous
wives. He signed the Muslim marriage certificate (Niqahu) on 6 October 1929.
Sadiq valued education and cultural sophistication in women, but Princess
Hamide Nermin Nezahat Sultan lacked these. She had receivd no formal education
but was skilled in needlework and liked playing card games. She could read and
write, but only in Turkish and French. Princess Hamide Nermin Nezahat Sultan
was considered gentle, virtuous, and docile, that made her a suitable candidate
for Sadiq. After the first meeting, Sadiq was extremely disappointed with his
new bride. He found HIH Princess Hamide Nermin Nezahat Sultan humorless and
boring. After two years, the marriage ended in divorce.
Ruler of Bahawalpur:- The Bahawalpur
State under his rule was considered to be an important sovereign state in Sub
Continent. The Bahawalpur State had a special privilege as it was larger than
some states of the present time like Lebanon, Kuwait, Israel and Denmark in
respect of area. Its population was two times more than the total population of
United Arab Emirates. Its rulers also enjoyed special protocol and titles
conferred by the British since 1866 as they were accorded 17 canons salute and
had special access to the Viceroy of
British India Bahawalpur state also had a separate mint to cast coins for its
public and the facility remained intact until 1940. The British Government
extablished a Regency Council under the supervision of Maulvi Sir Rahim Bakhsh
until the minor Nawab grew up as a young man. This Council was responsible for
state administration. Special attention was paid to the education and
upbringing of Nawab Sadiq Muhammad Khan (V). He started his education from
Atchison College, Lahore and completed in England. He had an aptitude for
military affairs and achieved several military titles, conferred on him by the
British Empire. The Viceroy of India, Reading awarded total authority of the state
administration to Nawab Sadiq Muhammad Khan (V) on March 8, 1924.
Sir Sadiq
continued his military career in the British Indian Army, which he had begun as
a Lieutenant in 1921; by 1932 he was a Major, by 1941 a Lieutenant Colonel,
commanding troops in the Middle East during the Second World War. Since 1921,
he had also been a Member of the Chamber of Princes, and since 1940, a member
of the Indian Defance Council. Promoted to Major-General in 1946, the following
year, on 15 August 1947, Sir Sadiq was promoted to the title of Amir of
Bahawalpur. He accepted to the Dominion of Pakistan a month later.
Later Life and Death:- After Partition
of Sub Continent Nawab proved to be very helpful and generous to the government
of Pakistan. He gave seventy million rupees to the government and the salaries
of all the government departments for one month were also drawn from the
treasury of Bahawalpur State. He gifted his private property to the University
of the Punjab, King Edward Medical College and the Mosque of Aitchison College,
Lahore. At the time of partition all the princely states of the subcontinent
were given a choice to join either Pakistan or India. For convincing Nawab to
join India, Pandit Nehru went to him while he was in London and offered various
incentives in this regard but he didn’t accept them. On 5th October
1947 he signed an agreement with the Government of Pakistan according to which
Bahawalpur State joined Pakistan. Thus the State of Bahawalpur was the first
state that joined Pakistan. The main factor was of course the Islamic
sentiments of the Muslims who were in majority in the Bahawalpur State.
Moreover, Nawab and Quaid-i-Azam were close friends and they had great respect
for each other even before the creation of Pakistan. The Ameer of Bahawalpur
Refugee Relief and Rehabilitation Fund was instituted in 1947 for providing a
central organization for the relief of the refugees. The Quaid acknowledged the
valuable contribution of the Bahawalpur State for the rehabilitation of the
refugees.
Nawab Sadiq was
a visionary and had clear strategies for the development of economy and human
resource in his state. Sutlej valley projected was one of the greatest gift by
NawabSir Sadiq Muhammad Khan Abbassi to the State of Bahawalpur. In 1921
Sectetary of the State suggested the Sultlej valley project. The great Sutlej
Valley Project brought under plough a very large area of Cholistan desert.
Nawab was liberal in grant of land and educational scholarships to Muslims from
other parts of India which brought instant benefits to the state as well as the
Indian population at large in their dark days of backwardness in British India.
In 1953, Sir
Sadiq represented Pakistan at the installation of Faisal II of Iraq and at the
coronation of Elizabeth II. In 1955 an accord was signed between Nawab sadiq
Muhammad and Govornor General Ghulam Muhammad Malik according to which
Bahawalpur State became the part of the province of West Pakistan and de facto
Nawab began to receive yearly stipend of 32 lakh rupees, maintained the title
of Nawab and protocol inside and outside Pakistan. In May 1966 Nawab Sadiq died
in London which ended his 59 years long reign. His dead body was brought to
Bahawalpur and was buried in his ancestral graveyard of Derawer Fort. His
eldest son Haji Muhammad Abbas Khan Abbasi Bahadur succeeded his title of Nawab
of Bahawalpur, but with none administrative power.
On Pioneers of
Freedom Series Nawab Sadiq Muhammad Khan Abbasi V, Pakistan Post is issuing a
commemorative postage stamp of Rs.8/- denomination on May 24, 2013.
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