150th Anniversary of Pakistan Railway issued on May 13, 2011. (2011-03)

Sir Henry Edward Frere when appointed Commissioner of Sindh in 1847, discovered the potential of Karachi as a Sea Port and conceived the idea of a Railway Line for up country. In 1855 Mr. Frere recommended to the Government that Karachi should be made a Sea Port. The survey for construction of a Railway Line from Karachi started in 1858. Initially a Railway Line was proposed from Karachi City to Kotri, then steam navigation through Rivers Indus/Chenab upto Multan and from there on a Railway Line to Lahore and beyond.

The 13th of May, 1861 was historical day when the first Railway Line was opened for public traffic between Karachi City and Kotri, a distance of 169 Kms. By 1857 the Line from Kiamari to Kotri was converted to double track.

Different sections of this part of Railway in the Sub-continent, which now comprise Pakistan Railways, were constructed in the last quarter of the 19th century and early part of the 20th century. Unlike other Rail networks of the Sub-continent during British times, most sections of Pakistan Railways were constructed as strategic lines to safeguard the British Empire in the Sub-continent. Ti is an interesting coincidence that the present alignment of Railway line from Peshawar to Karachi closely follows Alexander’s line of march though the Hindukush to the sea. In 1885, Sindh, Punjab and Dehli Railways were purchased by the Secretary of State for India. On 1st January, 1886 this line and other state Railways (the Indus Valley, the Punjab Northern, inclusive of Sindh Sagar Eastern Section, and the Kandahar or Sindh-Pishin Southern Section) were integrated and North Western State Railway was formed was later on renamed as North Western Railways (NWR).

At the time of independence, the NWR was bifurcated with “1847 routes miles” lying in India and “5048 route miles” in Pakistan. In 1954 the Railway line was extended to Mardan and Charsadda and in 1956 Jacobabad-Kashmore, Narrow Gauge Section (2’-6”) was converted into broad gauge (5’-6”) section. Construction of Kot Adu-Kashmore Line was completed in 1973, providing an alternate route from Karachi to up country along Right Bank of River Indus. Meter gauge line from Hydrabad to khokrapar was converted to broad gauge in 2008.

At present Pakistan Railway has route length of 7791 Kilometers out of which 7479 Kilometer is broad gauge and 312 Kilometer is meter gauge.

Pakistan Railways operates its system through 560 Railway Stations with 83000 employees.

To run about 350 passenger, mixed and freight trains on daily basis, Pakistan Railways, owns 528 Locomotives, 1700 Passenger coaches and 16500 Freight Wagons.

Pakistan Railway is a Federal Government Department under Ministry of Railways. The Secretary for Ministry of Railways is the ex-officio Chairman of the Railway board.

Pakistan Railways comprises of three functional units i.e the Operations Unit, the Manufacturing and Services Unit and the Development Unit. Each unit is headed by a General Manager who reports to the Secretary / Chairman Railways for the performance of his Unit.

The operations unit is at Headquartered at Lahore and oversees train operations and all related functions through its seven territorial operating divisions headquartered at Peshawar, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Multan, Sukkur, Karachi and Quetta.

The Manufacturing and Service (M & S) Unit oversees the management of the Concrete Sleeper Factories, Locomotives and Carriage Factories and Workshop Division, responsible for the major repair/rehabilitation of rolling stock and locomotives.

The Development Unit manages all Railway Schools, Hospitals and Railway Academy, Walton, besides, monitoring development projects in execution.

Pakistan Railways has two subsidiary companies i.e. Pakistan Railways Advisory & Consultancy Services (PRACS) and Railway Constructions Pakistan Limited (RAILCOP).

PRACS was founded in 1976 and is registered as Public Limited Company under the Companies Ordinance 1984. It provides an excellent outlet to the unique expertise of Pakistan Railways to complete in the Local and international market in commercial, Transportation, engineering (Civil, Mechanical, Electrical & Telecommunication) and Marketing disciplines.

RAILCOP was incorporated as a Public Limited Company in 1980 under the companies act 1913. Its specialization is in track construction and allied Railway oriented projects to augment the Pakistan Railways efforts towards better operation and maintenance of system.

The mission statement of the Pakistan Railways features provision of a competitive, safe, reliable, market oriented, efficient and environment friendly mode of transport. As the largest mover of goods and passengers in the country, Pakistan Railways endeavours to meet contemporary challengers through efficient administrative functioning, modernization of machinery and equipment, and well defined operating procedures for ensuring safety of passengers and rolling stock.

On the occasion of 150th Anniversary of Pakistan Railways, Pakistan Post is issuing a Commemorative Postage Stamp of Rs.8/= denomination on May 13, 2011.

Pakistan Philatelic Association (PPA), Lahore, Monthly Meeting November 2026.

The monthly meeting of the association, like always, was held on the second Sunday of the month, November 8، at the residence of President Jamil Bhatti at its scheduled time.

Mr. Jamil Bhatti also attended this meeting. First of all, he thanked all the members who organized and helped with the Lahore Philex Exhibition 2026. He expressed hope that the association will continue to hold similar programs in the future.

The exhibition was organized in a very short time, due to which even though everything went well, it still did not live up to our own expectations. Certificates could not be given to the friends who participated in the exhibition that day. So, in this meeting, President Jamil Bhatti also gave certificates, to the members who joined the exhibition.

Ahmad Shhzad Bhatti, Ajazul Haq, Moosa Javed Wattoo, Mr. Mutahir Naqvi, Muhammad Akram Naeem, Muhammad Waseem, Rana Muhammad Younas Khan, Shaykh Waqas, Syed Fareed Naseem Tirmizi, Syed Hur Abbas Bukhati & Wahid Zia.

After giving certificates to the members who participated in the exhibition, the auction began, most of which was filled with Ahmed Shehzad's collection, which added a lot of excitement to the meeting. The auction lasted for about two hours. After this, filled with love, Mr. Jamil Bhatti served all the members with tea along with samosas, and jalebis for dessert.

Pakistan 6th Population and Housing Census. Issued on February 10, 2011 (2011-02)

Population Census Organization an attached department of the Statistics Division conducts the Population and Housing Census in the country after 10 years and provide reliable, fair, and timely data for development programmes and its use by the general public, planners, researchers, data relates users as all well as stakeholders. This data is also used for delineation of National and Provincial Assemblies, distribution of national resources among provinces through National Finance Commission (NFC) Awards as well as fixing of quota of posts in Federal Government Departments. Conducting the Population and Housing Census in the country is constitutional requirement of the Pakistan and it is a very important activity. Population and Housing Census is a stock taking of human resources of a country and their living condition at one point of time. Census provides basic data on demographic, social and economic variables about each person and each housing unit. The census data serves as bench mark for all socio-economic development plans, administrative activities, demographic research and projection of population to meet future needs. Census is a Gigantic and Complex Operation carried out in the whole territory of Pakistan comprising of five provinces i.e Punjab, Sindh, Khyber PakhtunKhwa, Blaochistan and Gilgit Baltistan as well as special areas like Federally / Provincially Administrated Tribal Areas (FATA/PATA), Azad Jammu & Kashmir and Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT). The Population census Organization has conducted five censuses in the country since its creation i.e in 1951, 1961, 1972, 1981 and the last census in 1998. The 6th Population and Housing Census was scheduled in 2008 which was delayed due to insurgency, law and order situation in FATA and some parts of two provinces. Matter regarding conduct of census in the year 2009 and 2010 but it could not be conducted due to non-availability of armed forces and devastating floods in the country.

2. The matter was again referred to the Council of Common Interests which in its meeting held on 8th November, 2010 under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister of Pakistan has approved holding of 6th Population and Housing Census in the country in two phase’s i.e House Listing Operation in March/April 2011 and Population and Housing Census in August/September, 2011. In this connection the Population Census Organization has undertaken the preparatory work as per activity calendar showing all aspects of census taking along with time frame fixed for each activity.

3. The Population Census Organization has developed Form-1 for house listing operation, Form-2 (short form) for main census and Form-2A (long form) will be used to obtain additional information on the field of education, migration, labour force, fertility, disability etc from sample households.

4. Draft tabulation plan showing the set of tables to be presented in the National, Provincial and District census report has been prepared.

5. The field staff for conducting the Housing Listing Operation comprising enumerators, supervisors, charge supervisors, charge superintends has been appointed through out the country. These staff has been drawn from the nation building Departments i.e Education, Local Government, Revenue Department etc. The training to these staff will be imparted by the experienced trainers to update them to achieve accurate and reliable results. After conducting house listing operation, the staff from the same departments will also be drawn for main census also they will be imparted training for conducting the Population and Housing Census.

6. In order to ensure complete coverage and for effective supervision, the entire country has been delimited into a four tire system i.e census district, census charges, census circle and census block. The maps of these areas have been prepared to be handed over to enumerators during the census operation. The moping work i.e updating of map of urban areas and rural areas, delimitation of census areas and their Geo-Coding etc have been completed through field visit. In this connection the Population Census Organization has established the GIS Lab at PCO Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, RCO/Multan and Muzaffarabad for digitizing of maps and their verification through satellite images (Google Earth).

7. An effective publicity plan has been prepared which will be launched through electronic and print media to create awareness among the masses about the importance of the census, to educate the people for their greater participation and to motivate the field staff to work with the dedication zeal and vigor.

8. Population Census Organization has decided to use modern technology to conduct the next census in a fair and transparent manner. Intelligence Character Recognition (ICR) technology for data entry/processing and GIS for dissemination of data will be used to achieve better results.

9. After Data Processing work, the census data will be tabulated and disseminated in the forms of reports at national, provincial and district level. The data users, planners, researchers and stakeholders etc. Population Census Organization has developed its own website which gives basic information about Population Census Organization and data of 1998 census. The website is updated regularly. (www.census.gov.pk)

To Commemorate 6th Population and Housing Census-2011, Pakistan Post is issuing a Commemorative Postage Stamp of Rs.10/= denomination on February 10, 2011.

Kashmir Black Day. October 27, 2026 (2026-17)

Size of Stamp	50.5 x 35 mm
Size of Print	46.5 x 31 mm
Number of stamps in a Sheet	(3x3) 9 Stamps
Perforations	13 C
Denomination:	Rs. 40/-
Date of Issue	October 27, 2026
Colors	CMYK
Printing Technology	Lithography Offset
Paper	100 GSM Water Mark Gummed Paper
Gum	PVA
Quantity of Stamp	0.04 Million
Design	Abu Obaidah Ayyaz
Printer	Pakistan Security Printing Corporation, Karachi

The observance of Kashmir Black Day serves as a solemn reminder of one of the darkest chapters in South Asian history. On 27th October 1947, Indian forces landed in Jammu and Kashmir after the disputed Instrument of Accession, igniting a conflict that continues to this day. That moment marked the beginning of a prolonged occupation, one that has deprived generations of Kashmiris of their inalienable right to self-determination. For seventy-nine years, the Kashmiri people have endured repression, dispossession, and the erosion of their political and cultural identity, yet their resolve remains unbroken. The commemoration of this day is not merely about recalling the past; it underscores the urgent need for a just resolution to a conflict that has festered for decades and remains a threat to regional and international peace.

Between 1948 and 1957, the United Nations Security Council adopted a series of resolutions affirming that the territory's status must be determined through a free and impartial plebiscite conducted under UN auspices. Resolution 47 of April 1948 laid the foundation by calling for a ceasefire, withdrawal of forces, and a plebiscite to ascertain the will of the people. Subsequent resolutions reinforced this principle, making clear that the right to self-determination was central to resolving the conflict. However, despite these international commitments, successive Indian governments have evaded their obligations, insisting instead on unilateral solutions that contravene both international law and the spirit of multilateralism.

The human dimension of the Kashmir conflict is perhaps its most poignant aspect. Independent observers, including the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Human Rights Watch, and Amnesty International, have documented grave and consistent violations in the region.

Reports speak of arbitrary detentions, extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, sexual violence, and systemic suppression of freedoms of expression, assembly, and association. For decades, Jammu and Kashmir has been among the most militarized regions in the world, with nearly one million troops stationed there. This massive security presence has turned everyday life into a cycle of fear and deprivation for ordinary Kashmiris.

The trajectory of the conflict changed significantly on 5th August 2019, when the Government of India. unilaterally revoked Articles 370 and 35A of its Constitution, stripping Jammu and Kashmir of the limited autonomy it had retained. This move was accompanied by a sweeping lockdown, unprecedented communication blackouts, and mass arrests of political leaders, activists, and youth. Since then, India has pursued an accelerated program of demographic and political engineering in the region. This includes gerrymandering of electoral constituencies, granting of domicile certificates to non Kashmiris, manipulation of voter rolls, and changes to property laws designed to settle outsiders in the region. Such measures are in clear violation of international law, including the Fourth Geneva Convention, which prohibits an occupying power from altering the demographic composition of occupied territory.

The consequences of these developments extend far beyond the region itself. The Kashmir conflict has long been a flashpoint in South Asia, and its unresolved status poses a continuing risk to international security. Pakistan has extended unwavering diplomatic, political, and moral support to the Kashmiri cause since 1947, repeatedly raising the issue at the United Nations General Assembly and other international forums.

The sacrifices of the Kashmiri people remain central to this narrative. Over the past three decades alone, thousands of men, women, and children have lost their lives, and countless families have suffered displacement, trauma, and loss. Political leaders remain incarcerated, civil society is silenced, and media access is heavily restricted. Successive generations of Kashmiris have carried forward the struggle, refusing to relinquish their demand for self-determination despite overwhelming odds. Their resistance underscores the reality that no amount of force can extinguish the quest for freedom and dignity.

The international community cannot turn a blind eye to this prolonged human tragedy. The Kashmir conflict is not an internal issue; it is a matter that the United Nations has formally recognized as requiring international mediation. There exists a legal obligation to implement the Security Council's resolutions, a moral duty to alleviate the suffering of millions of Kashmiris, and a strategic imperative to prevent conflict between two nuclear-armed states.

Marking Kashmir Black Day is therefore both an act of remembrance and a call to action. It honors the courage and sacrifices of the Kashmiri people, who have faced repression with dignity and determination. It reminds the world of unfulfilled promises made by the international community, and it reaffirms Pakistan's solidarity with its Kashmiri brethren. Most importantly, it is a message that the struggle for justice cannot be silenced, and that peace in South Asia will remain elusive until the people of Jammu and Kashmir are allowed to decide their own future through a free and impartial plebiscite.

On the eve of Kashmir Black Day, Pakistan Post is issuing the Commemorative Postage Stamp of Rs.40/-denomination on October 27th, 2026.

My Analysis:- The design relies heavily on bold lettering, leaving little room for other elements to stand out. The distressed texture of “KASHMIR” gives the text a rough appearance, while the flag seems squeezed into the space above it. The vertical hashtag feels disconnected from the main layout, and the thick outlines make the lettering look heavy. The dark background and limited use of colour also make the overall design feel flat and less visually engaging.

200th Birth Anniversary of Pujya Mata Sahib Hasi Devi 1826-2026, October 25, 2026 (2026-16)

Size of Stamp	35 x 56 mm
Size of Print	35 x 56 mm
Number of stamps in a Sheet	(4x2) 8 Stamps
Perforations	13 C
Denomination:	Rs. 40/-
Size of Souvenir Sheet	114 x 76 mm
Denomination of Souvenir Sheet	Rs. 40/-
Date of Issue	October 25, 2026
Colors	CMYK
Printing Technology	Lithography Offset
Paper	100 GSM Water Mark Gummed Paper
Gum	PVA
Quantity of Stamp	0.04 Million
Quantity of Souvenir Sheet	15,000
Design	Abu Obaidah Ayyaz
Printer	Pakistan Security Printing Corporation, Karachi

Shadani Darbar in Hayat Pitafi (located in the Sukkur/Ghotki District of Sindh) is the largest Hindu temple in the Sindh province. Founded in 1786, the temple holds profound international and regional significance for the Hindu community, serving as a beacon of devotion and a major pilgrimage centre.

The founder of this humanitarian centre, Sant Shadaram Sahib (born in Lahore in 1708), was a revered Hindu saint regarded as an avatar of Lord Shiva. After completing years of pilgrimages across South Asia, he arrived in Sindh in 1768 and initially established a shrine in the village of Mathelo, Sindh. He later relocated with his devotees to the village of Hayat Pitafi, laying the foundation for the Shadani Darbar. During its construction, he lit a sacred holy fire known as the Dhuni Sahib, which continues to burn today and is considered the spiritual heart of the temple.

Pujya Sant Mata Sahib Hasi Devi, the 5th Gaddi Nashin (spiritual head) of the temple, was born in 1826. She was married to Sant Tansukhram Sahib (the 4th Gaddi Nashin) in 1846 and later assumed the leadership, or "Gaddi," of Shadani

Darbar in 1852. Known for her deep piety, love, and compassion, she dedicated her life to prayers and singing Bhajans-Kirtan at the Darbar.

During a severe famine (Khushak Sali) in Sindh, her divine grace was famously demonstrated. Praying to God for mercy, she placed a single bag of wheat into a mud vessel. She ordered the Shewadari (volunteers) not to open the main lid of the vessel, but instead to extract the grain through a small opening underneath it. For six consecutive months, the Shewadari drew wheat from the vessel to feed hungry villagers and visitors. Despite the continuous distribution, the wheat never ran out, and the vessel remained completely full.

Pujya Mata Sahib strongly emphasized the importance of music and education, teaching that selfless service and compassion are the true essence of religion. She encouraged all communities to live together in peace and harmony, urging people to work hard, cultivate fertile lands, support one another, and promote goodwill everywhere. On 30th April 1909, she handed over the "Gaddi" to Saint Manglaram Sahib (6th Gaddi Nashin) before passing away to her heavenly abode.

On 200TH Birth Anniversary of Pujya Mata Sahib Hasi Devi 1826-2026, Pakistan Post is issuing a Commemorative Postage Stamp and Souvenir Sheet of Rs.40/- denomination each on October 25, 2026.

My Analysis:- The design feels overcrowded, with too much text and too many decorative elements competing for attention. The large heading and building dominate the main image, while the portrait appears crowded against the architectural background. The small stamp repeats much of the same information, making the text difficult to read. The muted colours, heavy ornamental borders, and inconsistent balance between the portrait and building make the overall design feel cluttered and visually uneven.