MEDICINAL PLANTS OF PAKISTAN SPOGEL SEEDS/PLANTAIN (PLANTAGO ISPAGULA/P.) December 20, 1999. (1999-22)

 

Pakistan is endowed with the wealth of medicinal plants. These are the natural botanical source of medicines being manufactured by indigenous pharmaceutical houses in Pakistan. These are also the basic source of modern pharmaceutical market, although today it has become an entire medical world of synthetics, with elevated prices a common man cannot afford. It is therefore the most appropriate time to consider development and organization of our medicinal plants industry to become independent in the provision of common indigenous natural drugs that are being used to treat diseases in most of our rural areas. In our country there are grown wild or cultivated medicinal plants species which possess Great potentialities not in the light of their use from centuries in the Sub-continent in Greco-Arab (Unani or Eastern) system of medicine but also in the light of active principles or biodynamic compounds being isolated from them using ultra modern screening techniques available in our country.

SPANISH PLANT/P. OVATA FOR SK ISPAGHO/SPAGAL SEEDS

A nominee of family plantaginaceae, this famous herb of Persion locality is found in Hazara, Punjab and Sindh, also cultivated for its valuable seeds husk mainly used for its mucilegenous property as antidysenteric, cooling, demculcent, mild *astringent, emolient, laxative and diuretic actions. The husk is used as a common remedy for G.I tract complaints in the sub continent.

(Contributed by Director Research & Bait-al-Himat, Hamdard, Karachi)

To focus the attention of public on natural botanical source of medicines Pakistan Post Office is issuing a special postage stamp of Rs. 5/- denomination on December 20, 1999.

DR. JAVID IQBAL (1924-2015) 100th BIRTH ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATIVE SOUVENIR SHEET NOVEMBER 9th, 2024 (2024-12)

Dr. Javid Iqbal (5 October 1924-3 October 2015) was a philosopher and senior justice of the Supreme Court of Pakistan. He was internationally known for his acclaimed publications on philosophy of law and modern Islamic philosophy in international and national journals. He authored various books on Pakistan's movement and political ideology. Apart from philosophy, Justice Javid had a prolific career in the Judiciary of Pakistan. He was a former Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court before being elevated to the Supreme Court and also represented Pakistani delegation at the United Nations. He was awarded Hilal-i-Imtiaz by the President of Pakistan in 2004.

Dr. Javid Iqbal obtained BA (honours) degree from Government College Lahore in 1944, a master’s degree in English and philosophy in 1948, and a PhD degree in philosophy from the University of Cambridge in 1954. He was the son of the poet-philosopher Allama Muhammad Iqbal. Allama Iqbal, named his book, Javid nama, after his son. He also wrote many poems to Javid Iqbal, indirectly addressing the Muslim youth in British India. Javid Iqbal later translated two of Allama Iqbal's books into Urdu Javid Nama and Reconstruction of religious thought in Islam. Like his great father, Dr. Javid Iqbal strove to present the 'liberal' side of Islam which was hidden in the mist of ignorance, blind following and sectarianism.

Dr. Justice Javid Iqbal has many reasons to be remembered. Throughout his long career he stood out as a prominent jurist and a liberal scholar. He was considered a man with a far-reaching legal scope of thought with judgments delivered by him touching many areas of life. But his contributions go beyond judgments delivered from the bench and his legal expertise. Dr. Javid Iqbal was also regarded as a scholar on Islamic jurisprudence. His numerous writings and books sought to decipher Allama Iqbal's vision and explain and expound the legacy of Mohammad Ali Jinnah.

Honorable Justice Javid Iqbal carved out a place for himself in the modern history of Pakistan, also reflecting on the current state of Islamic thought, society and politics and commenting on literary works. Many of his works are thought to contain important insight into the history and nature of 'ideology' in Pakistan. Dr. Javid Iqbal influenced national events in a number of different ways and he was an important figure who played a role in helping us define our culture and the place of religion in our state.

Dr. Javid Iqbal's publications include the following:

·         Ideology of Pakistan (1959)

·         Stray Reflections: A Note-Book of Iqbal (1961)

·         Legacy of Quaid-e-Azam (1968, published in English and Urdu)

·         Mai Lala Faam (1968, collection of papers on Iqbal, in Urdu)

·         Zinda Rood (1984, biography of Iqbal in three volumes, in Urdu)

·         Afkare-Iqbal (1994, interpretation of Iqbal's thought)

·         Pakistan and the Islamic Liberal Movement (1994).

·         Jahan-i-Javid: Darame, Afsane, Maqale

·         Islam and Pakistan's Identity

·         The Concept of State in Islam: A Reassessment

·         Apna Greban Chaak (autobiography) (2002)

·         Khutbat e Iqbal Tasheel-o-tafheem

·         Maqalat-e-Javid

On 100th Birth Anniversary of Dr. Javid Iqbal, a Commemorative Souvenir Sheet of Rs. 100/- denomination is being issued by Pakistan Post on November 9th, 2024. It is pertinent to mention that Pakistan Post, aligning itself with the modern trends of technology is featuring a QR code on Pakistan's stamps for the first time in this issue.

Men Of Letters Series Ghulam Bari Aleeg (1907-1949) (1999-21)

Ghulam Ban who won fame as Ban Aleeg was born at Klannore, District Gurdaspur in undivided India in 1907. Soon after his birth his parents, alongwith other family members, left Klannore and settled in Faisalabad (former Lyallpur).

Ghulam Ban received his school education at Faisalabad and then spent some years in Muslim University Aligarh, a great seat of learning of the Muslim nation of India, and came to be known as Ban Aleeg. He was a talented young man.

His stay at Muslim University Al igarh gave him the passion to do some thing for his country. He was a thinker and possessed originality and creativity. He was deeply disturbed by the plight of masses by the colonial masters and their stooges, the feudal lords of India.

Oppression, tyranny, poverty and exploitation were rampant in India. But the history books portrayed the colonial masters as liberators, harbingers of light and the benefactors of the people.

Ban Aleeg was a poor man. He had no means for realising his dreams. He could think and write but it was not easy to publish what he wrote. No body, dared to displease the rulers and their agents.

The parents urged Ban Aleeg to find a job but he revolted against the restrictions and conditions of service. For some time he taught in a school at Faisalabad but one day he slipped to Lahore and it was after a few months that his parents came to know that Ghulam Ban was working in a newspaper as “Ban Aleeg”.

According to the eastern tradition bondage of marriage was used to make Ban Aleeg stay at home and stick to a job. But this, too, did not work. He traveled from place to place to find a newspaper which could publish what the wrote. He worked in Lahore, Amritsar and Rangoon at different times and for different newspapers.

He was attracted towards communism because it opposed imperialism and stood for the soviets (the masses). He yearned for presenting the Indian history in its true perspective and he was greatly influenced by the Seerat of the holy prophet of Islam. The history, Islam and Communism were the main subjects on which he wrote and talked.

He was a versatile genius ie a veteran journalist, a prominent researcher and a man of letters. He wrote 13 books mainly on history, communism and Islam. Taarikh Kia Hai (What is history) Taarikh Ka Mutaalia (The study of history) Inqilaab-i-France (The French revolution) and company ki Hakoomat (Company’s rule) are his distinguished works on history. Company Ki Hakoomat (Company’s rule) came to be recognised as a book of extra-ordinary merit and it played the main role in bringing fame and troubles to him.

He became famous for presenting the history of the sub-continent in the true perspective. All the history books written during the rule of East India Company and afterwards presented the colonial masters as torch-bearer of civilization, peace and prosperity.

Ban Aleeg presented the facts, that contradicted many things in other history books. He highlighted the plight of the people, injustice done to many nobles in the sub-continent. Obviously this work displeased the colonial rulers. Ban Aleeg had to travel from place to place and to work in different newspapers for living.

As ardent enemy of imperialism and colonialism, Ban Aleeg became famous as a progressive writer. He wrote books on Karl Marx, Lenin and the philosophy of Communism. He remained associated as editor, editorial writer and columnist with some newspapers Musawant, Ihsan, Shahbaz, Milap, Partap, Sheri Rangoon & Adb-i-Lateef, were the main papers for which he worked.

His writings inspired the readers to struggle against imperialism, oppression and tyranny. His vision was the end of all types of exploitation and improvement in the life standards of the poor masses. Because of his thoughts and works Ban Aleeg led a life of extreme hardship. He lived from hand to mouth.

The persons of much less calibre were offered attractive positions by the Government or were facilitated by the pro-government rich people.

Bari Aleeg had a galaxy of writers around him, most prominent among them was Sa’adat Hasan Manto. In his words “Bari Aleeg was his guide, his teacher”. He exercised a great impact on his contemporaries. He introduced a new trend of analyzing the events in a rational and argumentative way.

His writings paved the way for “progressive Movement” in literature and journalism. He motivated so many writers, journalists and poets to crusade against oppression, tyranny social and economic injustices.

Ban Aleeg was fortunate to witness the emergence of Pakistan. He hoped that his vision would be realized and he would also witness a change in the life standards of poor masses. But on December 10,1949 he had a heart attack and he passed away.

He was buried at Faisalabad where all his relatives were dwelling. His life was short but it was like the life of a meteor.

To commemorate the 50th Death Anniversary of the great writer late Ghulam Ban Aleeg Pakistan Post Office is issuing a commemorative postage stamp of Rs 5 denomination on December 10,1999.

Scientists Of Pakistan Series Professor Dr Muhammed Afzal Hussain Qadri 1912-1974. (1999-20)

Professor Dr Muhammad Afzal Hussain Qadri, a Founder Fellow of the Zoological Society of Pakistan, became its President in 1970 and held this position for two years.

Born on 7th February 1912 at Badayun (India), died after a brief illness in Karachi on December 6, 1974 at the age of 63 years, thereby bringing an end to a productive era as a professor, Researcher, Philosopher and Academician of 40 years standing.

Starting his brilliant academic career at the Aligarh Muslim University, Professor Qadri joined the Department of Zoology as a Lecturer in 1933, after passing his M.Sc., with First Class First.

He started research under the guidance of Professor M. Babar Mirza and took his Ph.D. in Entomology in 1936 which was the first doctorate in science awarded by the Aligarh Muslim University. Soon after Dr Qadri went to Cambridge University, from where he obtained his second Ph.D. in a record time of 18 months in the year 1938 under the guidance of Professor A.D. Imms.

He returned to his alma mater and immediately set up a School of Entomology. He was given a number of research projects by the Imperial Council of Agriculture Research and as a result of commendable work done by him, the School of Entomology was listed by the Government of India as the pioneer of its kind among the Indian universities.

Professor Qadri and his School of Entomology continued its activities at the Aligarh Muslim University with all the zeal till 1950 when he was called to Pakistan to plan and advise on the newly established University at Karachi.

Before leaving for Pakistan Professor Qadri was awarded D.Sc. degree on his published work in Entomology. This begin also the first D.Sc. degree that was awarded by the Aligarh Muslim University.

On his arrival in Pakistan Professor Qadri held the position of Forest Entomologist and then as Quarantine Entomologist before joining as Head, Department of Zoology in the University of Karachi in 1952.

Simultaneously, he was also made the first Dean of the Faculty of Science to which post he continued till 1973, except for a break of three years. He was appointed Professor of Zoology in 1954 and retired from this position in 1973.

After retirement Dr Qadri was made the first Professor Emeritus of the University of Karachi along with which he took over as principal Investigator and Director of a number of research projects in Entomology and Wild Life and this position he held till his death. Professor Qadri’s dedicated service spread well over 40 years.

He produced a large number of research papers and also introduced a number of new concepts in the Field of Insect morphology, particularly on the piercing and sucking mechanism of bugs and lice and the genitalia of Orthoptera.

His works are quoted in several standard textbooks of Entomology, published in UK, France, Germany and USA. His book on the birds of Pakistan is under print and well be the first publication of its kind in the country.

Dr Qadri was elected Fellow of several International and National Academic Bodies, including the Royal Entomological Society, London, Zoological Society, London; National Institute of Science, India; Pakistan Academy of Sciences; Pakistan Association for Advancement of Science; Scientific Society of Pakistan; Pakistan Association of Scientists and Scientific Professions, etc.

He was also associated with several bodies connected with education and research. He was the Secretary of All India Muslim Education Committee appointed by the Quaid-e-Azam in 1945. He was a member of the Pakistan Central Cotton Committee, Agriculture Research Council of Pakistan, Wild Life National Committee, Medical Reforms Commission, Syndicate of the University of Karachi, Senat and Academic Council, University of Karachi.

Dr Qadri was also elected General President of Pakistan Association for Advancement of Sciences, Annual Conference, 1960; General President, Scientific Society of Pakistan in 1962 and Chairman, Environmental Council of Pakistan Academy of Sciences. He was awarded Pakistan Academy Science Gold Medal in recognition of his researches in Biological Sciences in 1968 and President’s Gold Medal for outstanding teacher in 1969.

The Entomological Society of Pakistan conferred upon him Honorary Fellowship in 1973. Professor Qadri traveled widely as a visiting Professor and Scientist and delivered lectures, and conducted seminars at the Universities, Research Institutes and museums of Turkey, UK, Germany and USA.

The Karachi University, Faculty of Science, under the dynamic leadership of Professor Qadri, in a short period of 20 years grew into one of the best Faculties in Pakistan, particularly in Biological Sciences, where in addition to Zoology and Botany, Departments of Biochemistry, Microbiology, Physiology, Genetics and Institute of Marine Biology were established thereby making the complex a coveted seat of learning and research in the country.

Dr Qadri directed and produced about a dozen Ph.D. and D.Sc. in Entomology/Zoology and his students are holding high positions as Professors and Directors in Biological Sciences throughout the country and in Europe and USA.

With the demise of Professor Qadri a fruitful era of loving teacher and friend, a dedicated research worker and over and above a devout Muslim has come to an end. He leaves behind a widow, 4 daughters and 2 sons. His students, friends and fellow scientists all over will mourn for a long time this irreparable loss. May God bless his soul. Amin.

Courtesy: Department of Zoology, University of Karachi.

To recognise the Services rendered by the eminent Scientist Professor Dr Muhammad Afzal Hussain Qadri, Pakistan Post Office is issuing one commemorative postage stamp of Rs 3 denomination on December 6, 1999.

Poets Of Pakistan Series Birth Centenary Of Shabbir Hassan Khan Josh Malihabadi. (1999-19)

Shabbir Hassan Khan Josh Malihabadi was born on 05th December 1898 in Malihabad (a sub-division of Lucknow about 13 miles from it on the main Lucknow - Sandela Road). His great grand father Nawab Faqir Mohammad Khan Boya was from the Ali Khel sub-branch of Adam Khel clan of Afridi tribe.

On migration to Oudh he was appointed commander-in-chief of its forces and settled in Malihabad. Malihabad is a purely Pathan town about which a British Deputy Commissioner had said that ‘Malihabad is that part of Khyber Pass which has still not been amalgamated with India.’

After preliminary education at home, during which he was tutored in Arabic by Mirza Muhammad Hadi Ruswa, in Urdu and Farsi by Maulana Qudratulla Beg, Moulvi Niaz Ali and Maulana Tahir and English by Master Gommti Parshad, he took further education at Sitapur, then again at Lucknow in 1908.

Here, at the young age about ten years he commenced going to mushairaas. The first mushaira in which he recited his verses was hosted by Maulana Raza Farangi Mahli in 1910 or 1911 in which his following verse was greatly appreciated.

After Hussain abad High School Lucknow, he joined the school section of M.A.O. College Aligarh in 1912 but could not continue there for long. He then came back to Lucknow and joined, in succession, Jubilee Mission School, the Church Mission School and Red Christian Collegiate School.

He then joined St. Peters College at Agra in 1914 from where he passed Senior Cambridge. After that he went to ‘SHANTINUKAITUN’ near Calcutta and spent six months there.

He went to Hyderabad in 1924 where he rendered valuable services in ‘DARUL TARJUMA’ until the left Hyderabad in 1934. It was there that the developed friendship, amongst others, with Maulana Abul Ala Maudoodi. Could not stay long in Hyderabad because he wrote a very severally critical poem about the Nizam and did not apologize when suggested to do so by his well-wishers.

From Hyderabad he moved to Delhi and brought out a magazine and named it ‘KALEEM’ at the suggestion of Mr Z.A. Bukhari. This enterprise ended in 1939.

The next year he commenced editing ‘NAYA ABAD’ for about a year and in 1943 he joined the film world at the instance of Mr W.Z. Ahmad, the owner of SHALIMAR PICTURES and moved to Poona and engaged himself in writing songs for the films. Krishan Chandar, Sham Tevari and Bharat Bhoshan were his contemporaries and colleagues at Poona. ‘Mun Ki Jeet’ and ‘Ghulami’ were two of the most outstanding pictures of this era whose songs were written by Josh.

This experiment in life ended in 1948 when Mr Ahmad moved to Pakistan after partition. Josh then moved to Bombay but could not adjust himself there.

In 1948 he commenced editing at Delhi a government publication of the Ministry of Information, titled ‘AAJ KAL’ .He was acknowledged as a great poet quite early in life.

Besides, he was also a versatile prose writer. He was the greatest revolutionary poet of pre-independence period and as early as 1930 he had earned the title of ‘SHA-IR-E-INQIL.AB’, ‘SHAKIST-E-ZANDAAN KA KHAWAB’, ‘EAST INDIA KAI FARZANDON SAl KHITAAB’ and ‘TALAASHI’ were some of his most popular revolutionary poems. Some of these poems were even broadcast from German Radio during Second World War both in original as well as in German translation. He was also known as ‘SHA-IR-E-SHABAAB’ and ‘MUSAWWAR-E-SHABMB’.

He was greatly respected in public, Literary as well as in official circles after independence the Indian government, in recognition of his literary merit and his services towards the freedom struggle, conferred upon him the highly respected literary award of ‘PADMA BHOSHAH’.

Disgusted at the Sanskritisation of the simple language Josh migrated to Pakistan in January 1956 and initially made Karachi his home. He was welcomed by the literary circles and the government circles with open hands. ‘TARAQQIYE URDU BOARD’ had been recently constituted with headquarters at Karachi with the aim of promoting the Urdu language (the Board has since been re-designated as ‘URDU DICTIONARY BOARD’).

The main work of the Board was to compile an Urdu dictionary but it was also publishing a literary monthly magazine ‘URDU NAAMA’, Josh joined the Board as ‘literary adviser’ ‘editor’ of the dictionary and ‘editor-in-chief of the magazine.

His association with the Board continued until 1959. Josh did not associate with the ‘PAKISTAN WRITERS GUILD’ when it was formed in 1959, mainly because it was formed under official patronage and was not an independent body.

He moved to Islamabad in or about 1973 and stayed there until his death on 22nd February 1982. There he was associated with the Ministry of Information which was headed by Maulana Kausar Niazi who was himself a poet of high calibre and an admirer of Josh.

This association continued until the Martial Law of General Ziaul Haq in 1977. Since then he passed a retired, and rather a melancholy life until his death. During his period he often signed his name as ‘JOSH MARHOOM’ . The following is the list of his literary works.

BOOK DATE OF PUBLISHING

1-      Rooh-e-adab 1921

2-      Maqalaat-e-zareen(Prose) 1921

3-      Auraq-e-sahar (Prose) 1921

4-      Shaa-ir-ki-raatain 1933

5-      Naqsh-o-nigar (Prose) 1936

6-      Shola-o-shabnam 1936

7-      Fikr-o-nishaat 1937

8-      Junoon-o-hikmat 1937

9-      Harf-o-hikayat 1938

10-   Aayaat-o-naghmaat 1941

11-   lsharaat (Prose) 1942

12-   Arsh-o-farsh 1944

13-   Raamish-o-rung 1945

14-   Sumbul-o-salasul 1947

15-   Saif-o-suboo 1947

16-   Surood-o-kharosh 1953

17-   Sumoom-o-saba 1953

18-   Moojid-oo-fikr 1953

19-   Tuloo-e-fikr 1957

20-   Sabr kai moti 1965

21-   Illhaam-o-afkaar 1966

22-   Najoom-o-jawahar 1967

23-   Yadon ki baaraat(Prose: Authobiogrpahy) 1972

24-   Joah kaai marsee aei 1980

25-   Mehraab-o-mizraab 1993

NOTE: There is enough un-published material in poetry for yet another voluminous majmooa-e-kalaam and three un-published books in Process.

To commemorate the renowned poet Pakistan Post Office is issuing a commemorative postage stamp of Rs 5 on December 5, 1999.