150 Years of Faithful Service Pakistan Bible Society, December 28, 2013 (2013-25)

The beginning of the organized Bible work in the areas now comprising Pakistan can be traced as far back as 1809 one year after the formation of the Bible Society of India, Burma and Ceylon. There are some records of 1925 which mention Bible work in these areas. 1862 the second General Council of Indian Missionaries met at Lahore. The participants of this conference actually felt this need of establishing an office for the promotion of the Bible work with the prime purpose of serving the constituency of the Punjab.

Finally in January 1863 the efforts of the General Council of Indian Missionaries bore fruit and British & Foreign Bible Society inaugurated at the Punjab Auxiliary with its office at the present site of Anarkali, Lahore. At that time the population of Punjab was estimated to be 15 million of which 0.53% were literate. Some of the pioneers of the Punjab Auxiliary, which later on became the Pakistan Bible Society, were Sir Robert Montgomery, D.F. McLeod, Lt. Col. R. Maclagan and Mr. R. N. Kistin, at the commencement of the Bible work in 1863. The patron was the Honorable Sir, Robert Montgomery, the President was D. F. Macleod, Esq. the Vice Presidents were Lt. Col. R. Maclagan and R. N. Cust Esq. The first General Secretary and Treasurer was A. Thomason Esq.

The Punjab Auxiliary became the Pakistan Bible Society in 1947. East Pakistan too was looked after from Lahore. In 1956 The Pakistan Bible Society was registered under the registration of Societies Act 1860. The Government of Pakistan and the Punjab have always extended their fullest cooperation and have facilitated the Pakistan Bible Society in many ways. The year 1967 marks the end of an illustrious era and the beginning of another in the life of the Pakistan Bible Society. The (West) Pakistan Bible Society became an autonomous body and full member of the United Bible Societies on November 01, 1967.

The Pakistan Bible Society is an interdenominational organization serving all Churches in Pakistan. Its mandate is to serve all Churches without any discrimination, this means that all Christian sects are served equally. "Providing the Word of God in the language people can understand" is the primary purpose of the Pakistan Bible Society and the policy is to translate the Holy Bible without any doctrinal or denominationally bias comments. We thank God that the Pakistan Bible Society enjoys the confidence, trust and support of all the Churches in Pakistan. One good example is that we now print the Roman Catholic edition of the Bible and the Catholic Bible Commission has partnered with the Pakistan Bible Society in the production of three publications.

In the first year of the work of the society i.e. in 1863 there were 28 contributing members who subscribed Rs.1,183 and 12 annas. Ten years after independence in 1957 the local contribution was Rs. 16,826 and total distribution of Scripture was 59,367 units, which included 3,880 Bibles. In the first year of autonomy in 1968 circulation of Scriptures was 105,156 units, which included 4,116 copies of the Bible and the local contribution was Rs.30,418. In 2012 the Pakistan Bible Society raised six million rupees and distribution of Scriptures was 6,521,736 units of which 36,181 were Bibles.

Scriptures were either received direct from London from the British & Foreign Bible Society or from Lakhnow and Bombay. In 1964 a new beginning was made when local production of Scripture began with a printing of 10,000 copies of the Urdu New Testament for which paper and negatives came from England and the New Testament was printed at Mataba-e-Jadeed Press, Lahore. Now, except for the Bibles in Urdu and other languages including English all scriptures are being produced locally.

In 1992 computerizing the accounts and the Urdu Bible commenced. In 1997 computer assisted composing was initiated and now all our work from designing to typesetting is done in house. A good example is the Urdu New Testament with Notes, the Children's Bible and the Urdu Study Bible. In 2001 the Urdu Study New Testament went out which was entirely done by our team of translators, reviewers, along with guidance of United Bible Societies (UBS) consultants and designed and typeset by our department.

It would be unfair not to mention the names of some of the Pakistani General Secretaries who have served faithfully under the able guidance of the General Committee and its officers. Rt. Rev. Chandu Ray was instrumental for the translation projects in Sindhi. Mr. P. N. Joshua, Mr. Hector Ghauher Masih was catalyst in increasing Scripture circulation. In 1980 Mr. B. U. Khokhar began the race and in his tenure the office was renovated, the General Secretary's house purchased and the computerization of the Bible was also undertaken.

Mr. Anthony Aijaz Lamuel (the present General Secretary) took charge and under his leadership creative programmes for Youth were launched through the Sports festival which has grown and is regularly organized since 2000. It is now being held in Islamabad, Multan and Sheikupura besides Lahore. 2001-2010 was named the decade of the Bible. The Urdu Study New Testament is the first lap of this race; in 2003 we gave the Bible in a new format with computer typesetting. This edition had introduction to each book along with topic headings. The plan to setup the project of developing the Urdu study Bible took off and in 2010 the Urdu Study Bible was launched. Two different colourful editions of the children's Bible were also produced which have been well appreciated. The Urdu Greek interlinear with interpretation will also be a landmark. In closing, looking towards the third millennium, to continue to serve the Church in Pakistan.

On 150 Years of Faithful Service of Pakistan Bible Society, Pakistan Post is issuing a Commemorative Postage Stamp of Rs.8/- denomination on December 28, 2013.

Poets of Pakistan Series Perveen Shakir (1952-1994) December 26, 2013 (2013-24)

Perveen Shakir was born in Karachi on 24th of November, 1952. Her father's name was Syed Shakir Hussain. She received her education in Karachi, obtaining two Masters Degrees one in English Literature in 1972 and the other in Linguistics in 1980, both from Karachi University. She joined Abdullah Girls College, Karachi as lecturer in English Department in 1973 where she taught for nine years. She got married to Doctor Syed Naseer All, her aunt's son, in 1976 in 1979, she was blessed with a son, Syed Murad All Her married life ended in 1987 due to divorce. She never married again

Perveen Shakir qualified the Central Superior Services (CSS) examinations and joined Civil Services Academy in 1982. She was posted as Assistant Collector Customs, Karachi in 1984. She was posted as Second Secretary Central Board of Revenue, Islamabad in 1986.

In 1982, she graduated from John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard, USA with a master degree in Public Administration.

Perveen Shakir passed away on 26th December 1994 in a road accident when a passenger bus smashed her car at the crossing of Faisal Avenue and Margalla Road of Islamabad

Poetry of Perveen Shakir:

Perveen Shakir had a prominent place among her contemporary poets. She gained unprecedented popularity, admiration and acclaim from the general readers, literary critics, electronic media and press at a very young age.

Her poetry is initially based on romanticism and she expressed the intensity of a woman's emotions, particularly of a young girl, remarkably well. The landscape of feminine psyche has been very artistically portrayed by her. Main themes of her poetry include love, betrayal, beauty, devotion, solitude, separation, distrust and agony. Occasionally, her poetry focused on the contradictions inherent in a male dominated society

Perveen Shakir was not just a romantic poet. She was very much aware of the social and political issues prevalling in our society. Her political acumen is reflected in her work. She has expressed her concem in many of her poems as well as her columns Gosha-e-Chashm It pained her to see any kind of suffering and inequality. Her love for motherland is reflected in her poetry Pakistan was always very close to her heart. She was a patriot to the core

Spontaneity of expression, skilful use of metaphors & similes and simple diction are the main features of her poetry. She impressed her readers through her realistic poetry, novelty of style and creative excellence

Perveen Shakir was fully aware of the importance of classical heritage of poetry and she assimilated it well in her poetry. Eastern style is prominent in her poetry. Her verses reflect her deep psychological insight. She never lost her sweetness of expression even while focusing on the bitter realities of life

Her first colection of poetry (Khushboo) was published when she was just twenty live years old. It became so popular that the word "Khushboo" itself became the metaphor of Perveen's personality and a symbol of her poetry. Her second collection of poetry "Khud-Kalami" was also widely admired. In "Sad barg", her third poetic collection, collective consciousness and the realization of hard realities of life seemed emerging in her poetry. In "Inkaar", her fourth poetic collection, Perveen Shakir's creative personality appeared as even more mature, non-conformist and refusing the status quo. In "Kaf-e-Aina", her last poetry book, those ghazalyaat and poems are included which were collected from her diaries and other papers, after her death.

Books of Perveen Shakir:

Her first book "Khusboo" was published in 1977, "Sadbarg" in 1980, "Khud Kalami" in 1985, "Inkaar" in 1990, and "Mah-e-Tamam" in 1994.

The following of her books were published after her death: "Kaf-e-Aina", "Talking to Oneself", "Geeta Anjali" and "Gosha-e-Chashm".

Awards and Distinctions

Throughout of her life, Perveen Shakir received many awards and distinctions:

1. The Best Poet Award, by the United States Information Service (USIS), Karachi 1970

2. The Adamjee Award, for Best Poetry, for her book "Khushboo" Karachi in

3. A Gold Medal for the best poet of the year, at the Silver Jubilee celebrations of Sir Syed College for Women Karachi in 1979

4. Second Position in the Central Superior Service (CSS) Exam 1981

5. Best Probationer's Award, Civil Services Academy, Lahore 1982

6. Allama Iqbal Hijra Award for Poetry for her book "Khud Kalami" Lahore in 1985

7. Awarded the Zahoor Nazar Award for Urdu Nazm India in 1986

8. Selected as Member of the Writers Delegation by the Government of Pakistan to visit China in 1987

9. Graduate Award for best TV Compere (Literary Programmes), Lahore in 1988

10. Awarded the Faiz Ahmad Faiz International Award for Poetry, by the World Urdu Conference, New Delhi, India in 1989

11. Represented Pakistan in the 4th South Asian Poetry Festival, Dhaka, Bangladesh in 1989

12. Selected as Fullbright Scholar-in-Residence, Hartford Consortium for Higher Education, Hartford, Conn. USA in 1990

13. Received the Thomas Jefferson Fellowship for Edward S. Mason Program, to study at the J.F.K. School of Government, Harvard University, Mass, USA in 1991

14. Received the President's Award for Pride of Performance for Literature, in 1991

15. Recommended for conferment of Sitara-e-Imtiaz in 1993

After her death, following awards were given to her:

1. Nishan-e-Fazeelat, by the Old Students Society of Karachi University, UNIKARIANS in 1995

2. All Pakistan Newspaper APNS 12th Journalist Award (13th Annual), Lahore in 1995

3. Shield of Recognition by the Karachi Women's Peace Committee on International Women's Day, 50 Years in Pakistan in 1997

4. Golden Women of Pakistan Award by the Ladies Forum, Karachi in 1997

5. Life Time Achievement Award in the field of poetry and for her untiring endeavors in bringing life to the Federal Capital by the Takshila Margalla Festival Award, Islamabad in 2004

On Poets of Pakistan Series Perveen Shakir, Pakistan Post is issuing a Commemorative Postage Stamp of Rs. 10/- denomination on December 26, 2013.

Two Decades of Extended Cooperation Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) November 28, 2013 (2013-23)

The year 2013 marks the two decades of ECO's expansion from a three-member regional forum to an expanded regional grouping of ten countries. This happy family of key contiguous countries of our region is bound together by many a commonality. The shared ties of faith and culture, history and geography, also converging interests in diverse fields lay at the root of the decision made two decades ago to create this key regional organization.

ECO has grown in strength and substance over the past two decades. Today, it encompasses key areas of trade and transport, industry and agriculture, energy and communication as well as education and banking. Public awareness about its activitiesplus the visibility and uplifting of the image of the organization is highly crucial for its continued success. Designing of a unifiedstamp by all the ECO Members for the commemoration of 2 decades of cooperation would enhance the realization of those objectives.

To commemorate Two Decades of Extended Cooperation of ECO, Pakistan Post is issuing a Commemorative Postage Stamp of Rs.25/- denomination, on November 28, 2013.

Men of Letters Series Jon Elia (1931-2002) November 8, 2013 (2013-22)

Jon Elia was a renowned Pakistani Urdu poet and a notable philosopher and scholar. He was born on December 14, 1931 in Amroha, India. His father's name was Shafiq Hasan Elia who was a literary person, astrologer and scholar of his time. Jon Elia was the younger brother of famous journalist and literary figure Rais Amrohvi and the world fame philosopher, Syed Muhammad Taqi. Jon Elia migrated to Pakistan in 1957, and settled in Karachi.

During his teen age, Jon Elia used to do dramatic presentations of the early Muslim period. According to him, his early poetry reflected the dialogue nature of stage drama. In the preface of his first collection of poetry "Shayad", he revealed that he was quite fond of theatre in his teen age. There was a small drama club in Amroha, named Bazm-i-Haq, where stage plays were organized regularly based on Islamic history. Jon Elia got extremely involved in such plays. He tried to establish his own drama club and scripted and stage his own play for it. Jon wrote many socialistic poems in those days, and acknowledged this fact later that it was the influence of drama that the dialogue and conversational element became his style in his poetry.

He belonged to an intellectual family where the discussions on poetry. logic, philosophy, history and religion were like a passion. This literary environment of his home and his family traditions were quite conducive to ignite a spark of poetry in him. Though Jon proved to be a brilliant poet of Urdu Ghazal but he also proved his mettle in Nazm, Hamd, Natt, Noha, Marsia, Qaseeda, Qawali, Shehr-e-Ashob, etc.

Jon Elia had a thorough command over language and used it artistically. His diction is wrapped in the classical tradition. He became renowned as a distinguished Urdu poet thanks to his very different and unmatched style. He had a thorough grasp over Urdu, Persian, Arabic, Sanskrit and Hebrew. His Knowledge of philosophy, logic, Islamic history, the Muslim Sufi tradition, and western literature was vast which gave a distinguished color and a touch of beauty to his poetry.

Jon Elia invented many new metrical schemes in his poetry. He also produced hundreds of unusual phrases. He used well-rhymed Nazms and free-verse poems. He had a remarkable command over the form and content. In Jon Elia's poetry one can see superb synthesis of the traditional and the modern verse. In his poetry, he showed excellent grip over writing verses in "sehl-e-mumtana".

He was a romantic poet with a vision. He always tried to take along laymen in his literary pursuits.

He wrote excellent poems reflecting his ideological views though it is unfortunate that his poems were overshadowed by his ghazals. The existential foundations of his poetry slowly dragged him towards nihilism, which can be seen in his poems like "Aziyyat kee yaddasht", "Burj-i-Babul", "Saza", "Shehr Aashob" etc.

In Mushairas (poetic gatherings) he almost always dominated the other poets and kept on enthralling the audience. In such gatherings, he sometimes used to make a small introductory speech before the start of his poetry which always energized the listeners, even during the mundane sessions. He had his own peculiar style to recite poetry in mushairas which became so popular that many young poets tried to copy it.

Numerous young poets looked at him for guidance and inspiration and a large number of writers and poets were benefitted from him. He had become an icon for many even during his life time.

Though he worte abundantly, but he had no inclination to publish his work. His first poetry collection" Shayad" was published in 1991, when he was almost sixty years old. His poetry in " Shayad sparkled his name in the world of Urdu poetry. His preface of this book is a beautiful example of his refined Urdu prose which also throws enough light on the culture he lived in and his frame of mind.

"Ya'ani" was the second collection of his poetry published in 2003 after his death. After this, one of his close friend Khalid Ansari, compiled and published three of his collections. "Gumaan" in 2004. "Lekin" in 2006 and "Gaya" in 2008.

Jon Elia was also remained active in translation, editing and other activities.

His translation of various Mautazalite treatises, a book on Hasan Bin Sabah, and various writing on the Ismaili sect in Islam can be regarded as his prominent contributions to urdu literature.

He also used to edit Urdu literary magazine "Insha". Jon Elia was married to Zahida Hina, a famous columnist. He had two daughters and a son from her. Jon and Zahida were divorced in the mid-1980s.

Throughout of his life, Jon remained a man of principles. He was courageous enough to raise his voice of protest and dissent whenever he saw something happening against his conscience.

He was a chronic TB patient since his mid-50s and but he managed to survive thanks to sheer will power. Jon died after a prolonged illness on 8 November 2002 in Karachi.

On Men of Letters Series Jon Elia, Pakistan Post is issuing a commemorative postage stamp of Rs.8/-denomination on November 8, 2013.

Music Maestros Princess-e-Service of Noor Jahan (1926-2000) September 21, 2013 (2013-21)

Noor Jahan (Real name Allah Wasai) was born on September 21, 1926 in a Muslim family in Kasur.

She was an illustrious and legendary singer and actress who started her career from the film industry of British India and then continued it in Pakistan. She became extremely famous as one of the greatest singers of her time in South Asia and was given the title of Malika-e-Tarannum i.e. the queen of melodies.

She was born in a Punjabi family of musicians. Though her parents wanted to see her excelled as singer but she was more inclined towards acting in films and performed in the earliest Pakistani films. She sung almost 10,000 songs in Urdu, Hindi, Punjabi and Sindhi languages. Along with Ahmed Rushdi, she holds the highest record of film songs in the history of Pakistani cinema. She became the first ever female Pakistani film director.

Noor Jahan started to sing at the age of five or six years and showed her interest in various styles, including traditional folk and popular theatre. Her mother sent her to receive early training in classical singing under. At the age of nine, she drew the attention of Punjabi musician Ghulam Ahmed Chishti who composed some ghazals, naats and folk songs for her to perform. She pursued a career in singing in Lahore.

Jahan's family moved to Calcutta for the sake of movie career for her sisters. There, renowned singer Mukhtar Begum recommended them to various producers and her husband, Agha Hashar Kashmiri, who owned a theatre. It was here that she received the stage name Baby Noor Jahan.

She acted in various successful movies including "Pind di Kuri", "Missar Ka Sitara", "Heer-Sayyal", "Khandaan", "Duhai", "Bari Maa" and "Mirza Sahibaan".

In 1945, she sung a Qawwali which was the first ever Qawwali recorded in female voices in South Asian films.

After the creation of Pakistan in 1947, Jahan and husband Shawkat Rizvi decided to move to Pakistan and settled in Karachi.

Noor Jahan starred in her first film in Pakistan, "Chan wey" in 1951. Shaukat and Noor Jahan directed this film together making Noor Jahan Pakistan's first female director.

In 1953-54, Jahan and Rizvi were divorced and she married an actor, Ejaz Durrani.

Noor Jahan give up action and her penultmate film as an actress/singer was "Mirza Ghalib" (1961). This decision enhanced her stature as singer. She last acted in film "Baaji" in 1963.

Noor Jahan left action in 1963 after a career of 33 years. She made 14 films in Pakistan, ten in Urdu, four in Punjabi.

After renouncing her acting career, she started playback singing. She sang a large number of duets with Ahmed Rushdi, Mehdi Hassan, Masood Rana, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Mujeeb Aalam.

She was an equally proficient ghazal singer. With rigorous training in classical music, Noor Jahan employed the essential features necessary to present the ghazal in an exceptional manner. Her popularity was further boosted with her patriotic songs during the 1965 war between Pakistan and India.

She died on December 23, 2000 at the age of 74.

On Music Maestros- Malika-e-Tarannum Noor Jahan, Pakistan Post is issuing a commemorative postage stamp of Rs.8/-denomination on September 21, 2013.