QUDRAT ULLAH SHAHAB MEN OF LETTERS SERIES (2013-2)

 

Men of Letters Series Qudrat Ullah Shahab (1917 – 1986) Commemorative Postage Stamp March 23, 2013:- Qudrat Ullah Shahab (or Qudratullah Shahab; 26 February 1917 – 24 July 1986) was an eminent Urdu writer and civil servant from Pakistan. He is best known for his autobiography, Shahab Nama.

He was born in Gilgit in 1917. His father was a student at MAO College and a protégé under the supervision of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan. He later immigrated from Aligarh and settled down in Gilgit. Shahab started writing in his early days both in urdu and English languages. At the age of 16, he won an international essay competition organized by the Readers Digest, London. He graduated from Prince of Wales college, Jammu, and later from Government College Lahore.

According to his autobiography, he spent his childhood in Eastern Punjab near Chamkor Sahib, Ropar (Rapnagar) District.

He was selected for Indian Civil Service in 1940 and later volunteered to serve in Bengal during the famine of 1943, where he served as magistrate at Nandigram. He came under heavy fire from the authorities when he distributed part of the strategic rice reserves to the starving local community.

After coming to Pakistan he was first posted in the Ministry of Commerce as a Deputy Secretary and then as Chief Secretary of the new state of Azad Kashmir at Muzaffarabad. Thereafter, he became Deputy Commissioner of Jhang, Punjab. He also served as Director of Industries of Punjab and dealt mostly with settlement issues concerning migration. He was appointed by Governor General Ghulam Muhammad his Principal Secretary and remained on this post during Iskander Mirza’s and Ayub Khan’s regimes. He served as Ambassador of Pakistan to Netherlands in 1962 and later as Secretary of Information and Education. He resigned after a clash with the new regime of Yahya Khan and opted for a self-imposed exile at UK. Shahab was elected a member of the executive board of UNESCO in 1968.

Shahab had published in English and Urdu languages for contemporary newspapers and magazines of Pakistan Writers’ Guild, founded at Karachi in January 1959.

He is best known for his autobiography Shahab Nama. In the first chapter, Shahab mentioned how the idea of writing a memoir occurred to him when he paid a visit to Ibn-e-Insha in London. While they were discussing the philosophy of life, it inspired him to pen his own experiences. The complete work was published after his death in 1986, and then soonbecame a favorite among the Urdu knowing circles of the Indian sub-continent.

There has been much debate on the spiritual side of his personality. Mumtaz Mufti, Shahab’s close friend and a well-known writer, wrote about it. Also in Shahab Nama, Shahab shared some of his spiritual experiences, especially the bewitched bungalow of 18 civil lines (Cuttuck) that contributed to his understanding of Parapsychology.

The real disclosure came in the final chapter of Shahab Nama that alluded to an out-of-world personality whom he used to call Ninety as his spiritual guide. After Shahab Nama published, which was actually after Shahab’s death, Mufti wrote his autobiography, Alakh Nagri, and openly discussed the hidden traits of Shahab’s life. Mufti wrote in the foreword of the book:

“Since Shahab has opened his own secrets in the last chapter of Shahab Nama, I find no reason not to share experiences which I witnessed about the mysticism of Shahab”

From the early days of Pakistan, Shahab worked with the national leadership country until the regime of Yahya Khan. Shahab revealed in Shahab Nama, as Mumtaz Mufti did in Alakh Nagri, that the idea of giving Pakistan the name “Islamic Republic of Pakistan” was actually proposed by him to Ayub Khan. Shahab argued in the parliament in favor of this idea, which was unanimously accepted by the leaders.

The last chapter of Shahab Nama about his exposure to spiritualism has been controversial. Though throughout his lifetime, Shahab has enjoyed a respectful image among his colleagues and friends. Many of them paid him tributes in their essays and short stories. Notably, Mumtaz Mufti made him the subject of his autobiography Alakh Nagria and later dedicated another book Labbaik. Bano Qudsia, a veteran Urdu writer, wrote a book Mard-e-Abresham on Shahab’s personality. A collection of essays about Qudratullah Shahab has been compiled in a book, Zikr-e-Shahab.

Shahab died on 24 July 1986 in Islamabad and is buried in H-8 Graveyard.

On Men of Letters Series – Qudratullah Shahab, Pakistan Post is issuing a commemorative postage stamp of Rs.15/- denomination on March 23, 2013. in Islamabad and is buried in H-8 Graveyard.

On Men of Letters Series – Qudratullah Shahab, Pakistan Post is issuing a commemorative postage stamp of Rs.15/- denomination on March 23, 2013.

DEATH ANNIVERSARY OF NASIR KAZMI POET OF PAKISTAN (2013-1)

 

Death Anniversary of Nasir Kazmi:- Commemorative Postage Stamp March 02, 2013:- Syed Nasir Raza Kazmi, (1925 – 1972) was an Urdu poet of Pakistan and one of the greatest poets of his era. He was born on 8 December 1925 at Ambala, India.

Education and Career:- Kazmi was educated at Ambala, Simla and Lahore. He returned to Ambala in 1945 and started looking after his ancestral land. After the creation of Pakistan in 1947, he came to Lahore.

He did some journalistic work with Auraq-e-Nau as an editor and became editor-in-chief of the magaz’ne Humayun in 1952. Later he was associated with Radio Pakistan, Lahore and other literary.

“Nasir Kazmi was a poet of transcendent pain clad in undading beauty. His dalour sprang from three main causes: the sufferings he bore and the atrocities he witnessed during the Partition of 1947, his own poverty, and the social and political chaos of his age. Nasir was more sensitive than most poets and had to abandon his home in Ambala and this was a blow from which he could not recover. …….His habits though not very expensive, demanded money which was not there. Later he had to support his family and educate his two sons. ……..he never complained or moaned about his personal afflictions. But he was bitter about the inequalities and oppression of the times. I had intuitive feeling that he had once loved and lost. That gives an authenticity and genuineness to his ghazals which rings true……Nasir’s unique contribution is that he merged the sublimity and diction of Mir Taqi Mir with his own inner turmoil and restlessness……..most of Nasir’s ghazals are as good as, if not better than, Mir’s best work…...Nasir’s second major contribution is that he transformed the traditional Ghazal into modern poetry by retaining the classical mode, mood and style but making it voice modern sensibility. In doing this he stands on the summit of modern Urdu verse. He found a new school which several of his younger contemporaries and later admirers have enriched……….there is another characteristic of his poetry which sets him apart from all modern poets, and that is his choice of words. In this, again he established a new fashion which most modern poets find difficult to follow. ……he explores the range of Urdu works with an innovative eye and a fresh taste….many lines of Nasir’s Ghazals, which speak of passion of love, make one sit up and think. This depth is strengthened by the poignant note of nostalgia which runs throughout of poverty………Nasir was careless of his health. From the beginning he was unking to his body…..he ruined his digestive system in spite of his doctors and friends warnings and died of cancer of the stomach……he was a major poet of 20th century and a good humjan being” (Extract taken from: “Coffee House of Lahore” written by K.K.Aziz”)

Nasir Kazmi’s Books:

Poetry:

1.       Bang-e-Nae (1952)

2.       Deewan (1972)

3.       Pehli Baarish (1975)

4.       Nishat-e-Khwab (Collection of nazms, 1977)

Other Books:

1.       Sur Ki Chhaya (Manzoom Drama, Katha 1981)

2.       Khushk Chashme ke Kinare (Prose. 1982)

3.       Intekhab-e-Meer (Poetry 1989)

4.       Intekhab-e-Nazeer (Poetry 1990)

5.       Intekhab-e-Wali Dakni (Poetry 1991)

6.       Intekhab-e-Insha (Poetry 1991)

Diary of Nasir Kazmi:

Nasir Kazmi ki Dairy (Chand Pareshan Kaghaz) (Autobiography, 1995 compiled by Hassan Sultan Kazmi)

Famous ghazals and nazms of Nasir Kazmi:

Kazmi’s Ghazals include:

1.       Kaun is raah se guzartaa hai

2.       Terii zulfon ke bikharne kaa sabab hai ko”ii

3.       Dukh kii lehar ne chheRaa hogaa

4.       Dil main ek lehar si uthi hai abhi

5.       Naaz-e-be-gaangi main kyaa kuch thaa

6.       O! mere masruuf Khudda

7.       Be minnat-e-khizr-e-raah rahnaa

8.       Dil dharaknay ka sabab yaad aya

9.       Jurm-e-inkaar ki sazaa hi de

10.   Tere aane kaa dhokaa saa rahaa hai

11.   Fikr-e-taameer-e-aashian bhi hai

12.   Rang barsaat ne bhare kuch to

13.   Kise dekhein kahaan dekha na jaye

14.   Karta usay beqaraar kuch dair

15.   Wo dil nawaaz hai lekin nazar shanaas nahi

16.   Neeyat-e-shauq bhar na jaye kahiin

17.   Banny Banaaye hue Rasston pea a nekly

18.   So gai Shehar ki har aik Galli

19.   Apni Dhun Main Rehta hon

20.   Dil main aur to kya rakha hai

21.   Kia Zamana tha key hum Roz mila kartay thay

On the death Anniversary of Syed Nasir Kazmi, Pakistan Post is issuing a commemorative postage stamp of Rs.15/- denomination on March 02, 2013.

Eid-ul-Fitr. (1999-23)

 

Eid-ul-Fitr is the most important festival in the Islamic calendar. This festival is the culminating point of the Holy month of Ramazan, during which Quran-ul-Hakeem and Laila-tul-Qadr (Night of Grandeur) were gifted to the Muslim Ummah.

While fasting teaches us self-discipline and provides us moral and spiritual blessings, Eid-ul-Fitr marks the end of the fasting and brings the message of collective merry-making as well as sharing our good fortune with, the less fortunate in our fraternity.

The entire Muslim Ummah celebrates this most auspicious festival in every nook and corner of the world with great spiritual devotion, offering Eid prayers in Eidgahs, mosques or open spaces in towns and cities. The Eid-prayer is the china of this grand festival.

One can see during this special congregation endless sight of row upon row of the faithfuls spread across the open air Eidgahs, a supreme manifestation of the Muslim fraternity and equality of mankind.

After Eid prayers, the Muslims embrace and greet other fellow Muslims and pay visits to graveyards to pray for the departed souls. This sufficiently indicates that Islam is the religion of peace, friendship and aspires to promote universal brotherhood.

Special sweet dishes are prepared and served to friends, relatives and other visitors to ones house.

The young folk wear bright costumes and enjoy themselves with various types of entertainment on Eid day including a visit to special Eid Fairs and participating in different cultural activities. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) used to wear a new dress on this occasion. But it was always very simple which every member of the brother could afford.

No doubt, there were people who could not even afford such simple dresses. To make it possible for them to join the rejoicings of Eid, the Holy Prophet (PBUH) ordered the rich to pay them a prescribed amount (known as Fitrana) in advance, so that they may be able to get their new dresses prepared for the occasion. The institution of Fitrana re-inforces Islam’s emphasis on one’s obligations towards society.

Some of the prescribed practices or special spiritual etiquettes of “Eid-ul-Fitr” are given below.

1. It is compulsory for all the faithfuls to take a bath and wear new dress.

2. It is Sunnah to eat dates or some sweet dish before leaving for Eid prayers. The Holy Prophet always used to go for Eid congregation after eating some dates. (Reported by Anas bin Maalik and collected in Saheeh al-Bukhari (Eng. Trans. Vol 2 P-40 No 73) and Ahmad.

3. It is Sunnah to recite “Takbiraat” loudly while going to Eidgah for offering Eid prayers or coming back from there. It is reported that the Holy Prophet (PBUH) himself used to recite these “Takbiraat” with a loud voice on this day.

4. Pay Fitrana before Eid prayers to ensure that the less fortunate among us are also enabled to share the festivities. Fitrana is to be paid for every young or old. Its rates are fixed according to the prevailing rates of wheat and dates in various Muslim countries by Ulema.

5. It is preferable to offer the “Eid Prayer” in an open ground or Eidgah and not in the Masjid, if possible. (Bukhari and Muslim).

6. It is Sunnah to adopt different routes to and from the Eidgah, preferably going on foot. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) himself used to go the Eidgah on foot and declared that it was more rewarding to seek the Divine blessings. Jabir reported that the Prophet (PBUH) used to come back from the Eid prayer on a path other than the one used in going to it. (Bukhari).

Sending Eid-greetings to friends and relatives are customary on this occasion throughout the Muslim world.

Exchange of special Eid cards is to show affection for the near and dear ones. Pakistan post Office has been issuing beautiful designed Eid cards at different times. A special Eid Greeting envelope was also issued by Pakistan Post Office in the past.

Contributed by: A. I. Siddiqi (Philatelist) Faisalabad.

To celebrate the “Eid Day” following on 1st of Shawwal 1420 A.H, Pakistan Post Office is issuing a set of two special postage stamps of Rs 2 and Rs 15 denomination on December 24, 1999.

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.