World Rheumatism Year (December 19, 1977)

A deformed figure of a Rheumatic Patient is shown in black, with a healthy human figure in the background in light blue colour. On the recommendation of the International League against Rheumatism (ILAR) the World Health Organisation have nominated 1977 as the World Rheumatism Year. The objective of the year is to promote a comprehensive concern for the whole individual and for the physical, psychological and social impact of rheumatic diseases by involving all professional, health and welfare agencies and the community at large in the following specific aims:—
(i)To promote increased knowledge, understanding and concern for the nature and scope of rheumatic diseases;
(ii) to stimulate improvement in the availability and quality of treatment and care offered to rheumatic sufferers
(iii) to promote research activities in the field with a view to improving the standard of treatment and care.
Rheumatic diseases cause untold pain and suffering to countless individuals in all parts of the world and are rated as the biggest single cause of all physical disability and give rise to big problems for the societies in which these individuals live. Factory doctors everywhere know too well how much absenteeism results from back troubles and soft tissue rheumatism. There is widespread feeling that all this suffering is neglected and not all is done that could be done.
As part of public campaign to increase grass root awareness of the importance of rheumatic diseases, Pakistan Post Office is issuing a special stamp of 65 Paisa denomination on 19-12-1977.

Haj Commemoration 1397 A.H. (November 21, 1977)

The stamp is of square format. The main feature of stamp is the Holy “Khana-e-Kaba” (House of God) which is printed centrally in multi colour against a green background.
In reverent commemoration of Haj which is an obligation for every Muslim adult in full possession of his faculties having means and resources to perform the same at least once in his life time, Pakistan Post Office is issuing a Commemorative Postage Stamp of 65 Paisa denomination on Haj (1397 A.H.)
Every year millions of Muslims from all over the world congregate in the House of God in the Holy City of Mecca, and bivouac in the valley of Mina and the plain of Arafat to perform Haj. The duty of Haj was imposed upon the Muslims to confirm the worship of one God and to attach them to this one Centre where they are required to assemble annually and perform the Circuit round the Holy Kaba clad in the simple pilgrim’s garb and mix together without any distinction of nationality, race, colour or status. The annual pilgrimage is thus a visible manifestation of the universal brotherhood of Islam.
During the performance of the various rituals of Haj, a pilgrim gives up his regular work, forgoes amenities and sacrifices the comforts of life. He puts on the simplest unstitched dress called ‘ Ahram ‘ avoids all indecent thoughts and acts and strives whole-heartedly towards the ideals laid down in Islam—complete surrender to the will of God and a glowing consciousness that his prayers and sacrifices, his life and death are all for God. He runs between Safa and Marwa and like a moth whirling round a flame runs round the Holy Kaba.

Iqbal Centenary (November 9, 1977)

In grateful memory of Iqbal the great visionary and poet, Pakistan Post Office is issuing a set of 5 Stamps on his birth centenary, which falls on 9th November, 1977. The stamps have been printed in a row and project the personality and the message of the Poet. The 20 Paisa and 65 Paisa stamps on the extreme left and right corner of the set are based on 2 paintings by the famous Iranian painter, Behzad. The 20 paisa stamp depicts the spirit of the great Persian mystic and poet Maulana Jalaluddin Roomi appearing before Iqbal to lead him in his journey through hell and heaven. The 65 Paisa stamp depicts Iqbal looking at Jamaluddin Afghani and Saeed Haleem Pasha offering their prayer. The paintings are the illustrations of two of the poets verses which have been reproduced at the bottom. Rs.l.25 and Rs. 2.25 stamps reproduce an \'Urdu\' and a Persian\' verse of the Poet highlighting his conception of Mard-e-Momin, the ideal man and his faith in the universality of Islam and the brotherhood of Muslims. The 5th stamp which appears in the middle depicts the portrait of the poet himself. Iqbal’s early poems are based on mostly nationalistic and patriotic ideas and love of nature, but after his stay in Europe and his association with the Universities of Heidelberg, Munich and Cambridge where he studied Law and Philosophy he became more universal in approach. His epoch making long Poems ‘Asrar-I-Khudi’ and Rumuz-i-Khudi (Secret of self) became very famous-and were translated into English by proof. R.A. Nicholson of Cambridge University.
His verses in Urdu and Persian and his monumental work ‘The Reconstruction of Religious Thought in Islam’ have been translated into almost all the important languages of the world and won vide recogni-tion in Iran, Turkey, Egypt, England, France, Germany, Italy, Russia and many other countries of the East and West.
Iqbal was intellectually associated with politics and the fight for the emancipation of the Muslims of India. In his presidential address delivered at the annual session of the All India Muslim League at Allahabad in 1930 he for the first time, gave the concept of an independent Muslim state in the Indo—Pakistan Sub-Continent, thus offering a solution for the vexed politico-religious problem of India. The scheme of Pakistan was later on adopted by the Muslim League and subsequently realised in 1947 when under the dynamic leadership of Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah the 100 million Muslim of the Subconti-nent finally succeeded in establishing a homeland for themselves.
Iqbal breathed his last on 21st April 1938 but his monumental works in Urdu, Persian and English continue to be abiding source of hope and inspiration not only for the people of Pakistan but for humanity in general and the Muslims in particular.

Birth Centenary of Aga Khan III (November 2, 1977)

The stamp is horizontal in format and is divided into two portions. The right hand side contains the portrait of Aga Khan III, printed in multi-colour against a bluish background and the left side contains the inscriptions “Birth Centenary of Aga Khan III” and “2nd November,. 1977” with yellow background. A white floral pattern appears below the words “2nd November, 1977”. Pakistan in Urdu and English and the word “Postage” are printed ii green whereas the Denomination “Rs.2/-” appears in red. A yellowish gold border is printed around the stamp.
Sir Sultan Mohammad Shah, popularly known as Aga Khan III was born at Karachi on 2nd November, 1877, (25th Shawwal, 1294). When only 8 years old he succeeded to the Imamate, the spiritual leadership of the Ismaili Muslims. At that young age he showed great qualities of leadership and began to administer his followers’ affairs under the able guidance of his mother Lady Ali Shah. History has shown that few men in the world encompass in themselves so many qualities and virtues to lead a community spread over the world. His upbringing and traditional training and education coupled with his unbounded love to acquire knowledge enabled him to enter into public life with success and dignity. In his early life he undertook extensive travels which greatly broadened his knowledge and vision, his personal prestige and international contacts. As a result of his knowledge and zeal he soon became one of the outstanding leaders of the Muslims of the Indian subcontinent.
The spirit in which Aga Khan undertook the work of the welfare of the Muslims in India is indeed remarkable. He arranged to hold the 1st Muslim Education Conference and worked untiringly for the establishment of a Central University for the Muslims of India. In 1906 he was elected to present the case of the Muslims of India for separate electorate. He was also one of the moving spirit behind the formation of a separate political party for the Muslims of India known as the All India Muslim League. In November 1902, he was nominated to the Imperial Legislative Council of India which in those days was a small select body of influential people wielding real authority. This was a considerable honour for a young man still in his twenties. He was elected several times to preside over the meetings of the All India Muslim League, All India Muslim Conference, etc, and wielded his influence to bring about political unity amongst the different factions and parties of the Muslims of this subcontinent. He also represented the Muslims in the Round Table Conference and worked untiringly for a settlement between the major political parties of this subcontinent.
In 1932 he was nominated to represent India at the League of Nations and in 1937 was unanimously elected as the President of that body. His eventful and crowded life came to an end on 11th July, 1957 and his last remains lie buried at Aswan in Egypt.
In recognition of the extremely valuable services of this great statesman and Philanthropist to the Muslims of the Indian subcontinent, Pakistan Post Office is issuing a Commemorative Stamp of Rs.2/- to mark his birth Centenary on 2nd November, 1977.

Universal Children Day (October 3, 1977)

The stamp is issued on the occasion of Universal Children Day—1977. The theme of the stamp for this year is “Water for the Children of the World”. The format of the stamp is vertical. The salient features of the stamps are four simplified figures in Black, Yellow, White and Brown colours representing symbolically the 4 races of the children of the world. These figures appear against a flame-red background indicating heat and thirst. Above the figures U.N. insignia in form of a drop and having a green wreath around it, is shown in Blue colour which is indicative of water. Below it children with raised hands are try-ing to reach the water which is basic need of life. The top blue panel contains the caption in reverse. The word “Pakistan” in Urdu and English appear in Yellow at the bottom edge. The denomination “50P” and word “Postage” are printed in Black.
First Monday of October every year is observed as the Universal Children’s Day in most countries of the world. The day provides an occasion to focus attention on the needs and rights of the child. Every year one particular need is highlighted.
This year’s theme focuses attention on the provision of clean water and is aimed at increasing national and international efforts to ensure accessible sources of pure water to all children and to raise public consciousness of the vital link between pure water and child health. Together with air, food and energy water is a corner stone for the very existence of life itself.
However, for the rapidly increasing population of the World the resources of fresh potable water is becoming more and more scarce. The World Health Assembly has set definite targets, to improve the situation, i.e. all of the urban and 25% of the rural communities of the world to be provided with safe water by 1980.

U.N. Conference on Desertification (September 5, 1977)

The format of the stamp is horizontal and the subject is U.N. Conference on desertification. A simplified desert is portrayed with Arid, Semi-Arid and Barren Land in the foreground. Cactus Plants in green colour appears on the left-hand side. The United Nations insignia of Human Environment is printed in orange colour at the top right corner. The caption “ U.N. Conference on Desertification” is printed in Mauve Colour in the upper Blue Panel. Word Pakistan in English and Urdu is printed in green in the lower panel alongwith the denomination figure 65P in black colour. The word ‘Postage’ is printed vertically on right hand side edge.
‘U.N. Conference on Desertification’ currently being held in Nairobi, Kenya, from 29 August to 9 September 1977, is a first step towards comprehensive assessment and action about the spread of deserts. This conference was called at a relatively short notice, in the wake of the long drought in the Sahelian region of Africa. Beginning in 1968 the countries along the southern border of the Sahara endured six years of a killing drought. It caused experts and Governments to fear that some basic change has occurred in the climate of the region and that desert was expanding southward. Concerned over this grave situation the United Nations General Assembly, in a resolution adopted in 1974, called for International co—operation ‘to stem the spread of desert’ and to discuss and co—ordinate these measures. This Conference on Desertification is convened in response to the above call by the U.N. General Assembly.
About a third of the World’s lane surface is desert or semi desert, and about 15 per cent of the earth’s people live there. But little is known yet about how deserts are created and grow, what role they play in bio—spheric organization, and how best we can fit them into a human order of things.
Historically, they are areas where no civilization could endure; only the hardy nomad has braved its rigours over the centuries, fitting his sinewy life to its harshness with much ingenuity but little profit. But the world must now take note of the possibility of desert areas. The UN. Conference on Desertification will review the climate and desertification; the ecological change and desertification; population, society and desertification; and technology and desertification. Review of the processes and causes of desertification will also include case studies financed by the UNDP which are being made under the supervision of UNESCO and designed to present typical examples of desertification processes and suggesting measures to combat them.
The case studies leading to desertization and desertification are being carried out in Pakistan and Iraq (Water logging and salinization of irrigated areas); Niger and North and North West India (Warm season rainfall). A few other countries such as the USSR, Iran, United States, Australia, China etc. are contributing associated case studies on the subject. The conference would also undertake six studies on the feasibility of international action to halt desert expansion and improve land use in areas that could be reclaimed.
Food and Agricultural Organization (FAQ) is also preparing World Desertification Map of areas affected or likely to be affected by desertification. ‘A Plan of Action’ to combat desertification will be presented to the Conference. The plan is designed to propose specific recommendations for immediate and long range action to arrest and, where possible, reverse the process of desertification.
A workshop on how to carry out the Plan of Action be held immediately after the conference for representatives of national governments and those engaged in the field of operations.
In order to mark this occasion Pakistan Post Office has brought out on 5 September 1977 a special commemorative stamp of 65-paisa denomination on UN Conference on Desertification.

National Tree Plantation (August 9, 1977)

The format of the stamp is vertical. This stamp is issued on the occasion of National Tree Plantation Campaign. Stylized trees and a portion of jungle are shown against the yellow background. The word “Pakistan” in Urdu & English is printed in reverse at the bottom. The caption is printed at the top in red The value “ 20 Paisa” appears in Black at the top right. The word “Postage” is printed vertically at the top right corner in Black.

Trees are the bounty of nature—they provide timber, firewood and fruit, beautify the landscape and provide wildlife habitat, ameliorate the environment and mitigate the effects of hot and cold winds, control floods and check soil erosion.

Forest conservation and increased tree planting have great importance for our national economy. Government have, therefore, launched a massive programme of tree plantation throughout the country. In order to encourage people to plant trees, technical advice and planting stock of all categories are provided through a net work of forest nurseries. One can choose different varieties for ornamental planting, for shade, flowers, fragrance, or from utility point of view in different sizes and forms like trees, shrubs etc. Large quantities can be delivered at site also.As part of campaign to motivate people to plant more trees Pakistan Post Office has issued a special stamp of 20 Paisa on 9th August, 1977.

13th Anniversary of R.C.D. (July 21, 1977)

The subject for this series of stamps is “Terracotta”. In 20 paisa stamp Terracotta “Human Faced Vase” from Turkey is shown in Brown colour against a Cobalt blue background. The 65 Paisa stamp depicts Terracotta “Bullock Cart” from Pakistan which, appears in Brown colour against Turquoise Green background.
The 90 Paisa stamp represents Terracotta “Buff Earthware from Iran against Mauve colour background.
The format of all the stamps is Horizontal. The word “Pakistan” in Urdu and English are shown in reverse ix bottom left corner, while the denominations 20 Paisa, 65 Paisa and 90 Paisa appears in reverse on bottom right corner. “Postage” is printed vertically on left in reverse. The name of the country that is Turkey, Pakistan and Iran is printed in Black on right side margin on 20p 65P & 90P stamps respectively. The captions “13th Anniversary RCD” appears in blue in 20 paisa stamp, yellow in 65 paisa stamps and in red in 90 Paisa stamps.
The Regional Cooperation for Development (RCD) is a tripartite arrangement among Iran, Pakistan and Turkey aimed at closer economic, technical and cultural cooperation. Its main objectives are to promote economic advancement and welfare of over 140 million people of the Region and further strengthen the existing ties of brotherhood among the three nations. Over the years R.C.D. has developed a wide range of activities. Thirteen joint venture projects have already gone into pro-duction while another twenty have been approved in principle. Recently, a joint Survey Team has carried out a survey of four major industries of the region with a view to identifying areas for further collaboration.
A protocol regarding the establishment of the R.C.D. Free Trade Area has also been signed at Tehran on 12th March, 1977.
Inter—regional post, telegraph arid telephone rates have been reduced. The RCD Highway linking the three countries is nearing completion. The Iranian and Turkish railway systems have been linked and the Iranian and Pakistani systems will join by 1980. R.C.D. Shipping Services are in operation and the three national airlines are engaged in useful co1laboration. Under the R.CD. Cultural Exchange Programme, artists, scholars, journalists, eminent personalities and representatives of Women’s Organization have visited the member countries. The R.C.D. Cultural Institute in Tehran and its branches in Islamabad and Istanbul have issued more than fifty four publications on the history, language and culture of the Region. Taking into consideration the desire of the people to develop and strengthen the cultural and economic relation between the R.CID. countries and convinced that there are great opportunities to develop Postal Services for the benefit of the people in the region, ‘South and West Asia Postal Unions has been formed by the three R.C.D. countries as its founder members on the 27th April, 1977 with its Headquarters at Tehran. It has also been decided to hold R.C.D. Philatelic Exhibitions on each anniver-sary of R.C.D. in the three countries by rotation. The first R.C.D. Philatelic Exhibition known as R.C.D. PEX-76”, was accordingly held at Karachi from 21-25 July, 1976.
The 2nd R.C.D. Philatelic Exhibition to be known as R.C.D. ”Istanbul 77” Stamp Exhibition is scheduled to be held from 21-31 July 1977 in Turkey.
In order to mark the thirteenth anniversary of RIC.D. Pakistan Post Office alongwith the two other countries is issuing a set of three stamps. The subject for the stamps is “Terracotta” and each stamp depicts a specimen from one of the three countries.
The term “Terracotta” in archaeology denotes the baked or fired clay or earth mixed with sand used for statues, figurines, toys, vases and the like.
1. TERRACOTTA BULLOCK CART FROM MOENJODARO, PAKISTAN.
The Terracotta bullock cart unearthed from Moenjodaro (2500 - 1800 BC) is One of the best toys from the great Indus valley civilization. It consists of a Cart frame, two hubbed wheels fixed with wooden axle and two tiny bulls. The toy cart is dis-played in the National Museum of Pakistan, Karachi.
2. THE BUFF EARTHWARE, IRAN.
The buff earthware, Tea-pot shaped, with red brown decoration, belonging to 1800 - 1000 BC, was found in a necropolis of Sialk Hill near Kashan. The earthware is kept in Bastan Museum in Tehran.
3. HUMAN FACED VASE, TURKEY.
Human faced vase, belonging to the later Colony period (18th Millennium BC) is kept in the Museum of Anatolian Civilization, Ankara. It was found in Kiltepe near Kayzari and is 6.2 cm. high.

Social Welfare and Rural Development Year 1976-1977 (April 14, 1977)

Social Welfare and Rural Development are represented by a happy and healthy family which is shown in the fore ground The father as a farmer with a spade over his shoulder, the mother in front of a handloom and-a boy with tools in one hand and a book in the other. A model village is shown in the back-ground. An ambulance car is symbolic of medical facilities, and a tractor showing the advancement in use of agricultural machinery also appear in the back ground.
LETTERING :The words “Social Welfare & Rural Development Year 1976-77” appear on the top In red colour, while the words “Pakistan” in Urdu and English appear in the bottom in Blue colour. The denomination 20P and word “Postage” are printed in Black.
While emphasizing the concept of Social Welfare the Prime Minister of Pakistan once observed: “Social Welfare Is that aspect of social development which aims at the realization of the total personality of man through his genuine participa-tion in the process of social change within the context of the affairs of the nation in general, and the reconstruction of his own community in particular. 1 have repeatedly stressed that in a developing country like Pakistan ‘man’ as the main operator of putting into motion the total machinery of development, has to be motivated, socially prepared and trained for effective participation in the process of development. This demands an understanding of the dynamics of social change. The profession and practice of Social Welfare rests on this understanding”.
Equally important is the field of rural development which effects 85% population of agriculture oriented families living in villages. How can a country progress if so much percentage of its population is left out or not geared up into activity meant for the collective good and forward thrust of the programmes.
After assessing the past schemes and failures in the field of village development, the Government adopted an integrated approach involving all the national developing agen-cies, called Integrated Rural Development. The importance attached is obvious from the Prime Minister’s observation. In his message on launching the Integrated Rural Development Programme on 1st July, 1972, Prime Minister (then President) Mr. Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto said:
“The Integrated Rural Development Programme is probably our last hope to improve the economic position of our vast majority of small farmers in villages, afford employment opportunities, reduce the gap between the urban and rural areas so that the people living in the villages, may participate with their colleagues in the cities, with pride in political, social and economic life of the country”.
In fact, Pakistan derives its strength and inspiration from the toiling millions of this country who form an overwhelming majority and on whose output the national economy depends. The real strength of a country flows from the prosperity of the majority population, prosperity comes from freedom from hunger, disease and explication of all kinds. All the reforms so far brought about have leveled the land of injustices and disparities in our social and economic life’, to afford equal opportunity to all for progress and prosperity A broad base for a national takeoff has been provided after striking at the roots of the exploitative forces.
Having done all this, the concentration of the Government is on the ways and’ means to associate and Involve all the working classes in the national and collective efforts towards general prosperity of the people. Social Welfare is not to be allowed to remain as an isolated field but it has to be made integral part of the nations’ development programme. The rural population is to be motivated for effective participa-tion under their own local leadership, because the people living in villages are in a better position to fix the priorities in development.
It was with the intention to intensify these efforts, accelerate the pace of develop-ment and achieve the total personality of man, that the ‘Ministry of Social Welfare, Local Government and Rural Development was created at Federal level.
In February, 1976, and the concerned departments were merged into one department under one Minister in the Provinces. The objectives, in the main, are; (I) to make a departure from the old thinking and make people not only beneficiaries but also contributors by becoming self- reliant and self-sufficient. (ii) create awareness about rights and responsibilities with feelings of self-respect and self reliance, (iii) make them realise the importance of effective participation at all levels, (iv) buildup local leadership, (v) create dignity of manual labour, (vi) train in vocations and professions, skills and crafts of the rural areas for enhancing the income of the people, and thus improve the quality of rural life. This is stupendous task calling for joint efforts, with the spirit of collective good and hard labour. The rural masses need to be reminded of their duties and the utility of co-operation and coordination so that men and women feel forced to accept the new ideas, new opportunities and face the challenges of the present time. The Ministry of Social Welfare has undertaken this work and introduced a number of schemes under Integrated Rural Development and Peoples Works programme to achieve the objectives.
These are the objectives for which a mass movement has been launched with the declaration of the current year as the year of Social Welfare and Rural Develop-ment. These objectives constitute ‘ the central theme of the Commemorative Postage stamp to pin-point the importance of this year, to demonstrate the activity and will of men and women to work toge-ther for the common good and for the greater glory of Pakistan,