THE CHAMPIONS ICC CHAMPIONS TROPHY. November 02, 2017 (2017-08)

ICC Champions Trophy, previously ICC Knockout Tournament, was initiated by ICC in 1998, featuring 50 overs matches, known as ODI's, to be held after every four years. However, in 2002 it was renamed as ICC Champion's Trophy. At its inception only ICC's full members could participate, but later, from 2002 to 2004, also allowed ICC associate members to take part. From 2009 onwards the tournament, dubbed as the Mini World Cup, and was limited to the eight highest-ranked teams. ICC works out the rankings on a point basis, six months prior to beginning of the tournament.

The Eighth Champions Trophy was held in England and Wales from 1st June to 18th June 2017. The West Indies team, title holders of 2004 Champion's trophy, failed to qualify among the top eight rankings teams. Group A had England, Australia, New Zealand and Bangladesh. Pakistan was placed in Group B, along with South Africa, India, and Sri Lanka. South Africa entered the tournament with top ranking and India was placed at number three Pakistan team ranked last, the clear underdogs for this event.

Pakistan played its first match against India on 4th June at Edgbaston Cricket Ground. Customary to Pakistan India match, the countdown for this event began well in advance. This was the first encounter of the teams since 15th February 2015 World Cup at Adelaide. All odds were in favor for an outright win for the Indian team, and Pakistan team put up a dismal performance, much to the dismay of their supporters. India batting first scored 319 runs, losing only three wickets. Their batsmen scored easily; Rohit Sharma (91), Shikhar Dhawan (68), Virat Kohli (81) and Yuvraj Sing (53) and made sure of a big score. Stoppage because of rain, Pakistan as per D/L method, was given a target of 289 runs to be scored in 41 overs. Unfortunately the whole team was out for 164 runs in the 34th over. Only Azhar Ali could manage 50 runs. India's outright win left Pakistan cricket fans in a sheer disappointment.

This victory of Indian team came as a blessing in disguise for the Pakistan Team, and put pressure on the players and coaching staff to get their act together. Head coach, Mickey Arthur, and team captain Sarfaraz Ahmed, initiated an aggressive strategy to play without the fear of losing, and a positive attitude inspired a fighting spirit. All the players were resolute to put up a spirited performance in the remaining matches. The message for other teams was, "don't write us off, we are here to play the finals".

The next match was against the top ranking team of the tournament, South Africa, and played on 7th June at Birmingham. Pakistan, with the best seam attack of tournament showed their potential, exhibiting a fierce bowling display, and a strong batting line, with players like Hashim Amla, F du Plessis, AB de Villiers, and David Miller, South Africa could muster only 219 runs in the allotted 50 overs. Hasan Ali, named Man of the Match, claimed three wickets for 24 runs, in eight overs; Imad Wasim and Junaid Khan took two wickets each. Pakistan needed a run rate of 4.38, to win. They were 119 for 3, when the match could not be continued due to rain and Pakistan were declared winners, by 19 runs via the DLS method. Fakhar Zaman made his ODI debut and scored a quick-fire 31 runs. He would soon be a celebrity, playing a major role in the coming matches. This victory against the world's number one ranked team was labeled as the first upset of the tournament. It renewed the grit and resolve of Pakistani players and from here onwards they never looked back.

Next Pakistan played Sri Lanka on 12th June, at Cardiff. Sri Lankan team, led by Angelo Mathews, was without their star batsmen, Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene, but still a fighting team, not to be taken lightly at all. Sarfaraz Ahmed won the toss and opted to bowl first, on a surface that bore a green tinge. Sri Lanka was comfortably placed at 161 for three in the 32nd over, with both batsmen, Angelo Mathews and Niroshan Dickwella, well set for a big score. Looking for a breakthrough, Sarfaraz bought back his left arm pace duo of Mohammad Amir and Junaid khan, into attack. What followed was a magical four overs spell; superb display of swing and pace attack, sharing two wickets each. Amir and Junaid ripped the heart out of the Sri Lankan middle order as they went from 161 for 3 to 167 for 7 wickets. It proved to be the turning point of the match. Hassan Ali showed his class, taking three wickets. Sri Lanka was bowled out for 234 runs, Niroshan Dickwell scoring the highest, with 73 runs.

Pakistan's opening pair of Fakhar Zaman and Azhar Ali gave a flying start, Fakhar Zaman played a swashbuckling knock of 50 runs from only 36 balls; his maiden half century in ODI's. He was out in the 12th over, with Pakistan at 77 runs. Pakistan lost two more quick wickets of Babar Azam and Mohammad Hafeez. To add to tension of the Pakistan supporters, Azhar Ali was out in the 20th over and Shoaib Malik in the 25th. Imad Wasim fell five balls later, leaving Pakistan reeling at 136 for 6 wickets, requiring 100 runs to win. There was a brief partnership between debutant Faheem Ashraf and Sarfaraz Ahmed, till Faheem lost his wicket in the 30th over, with Pakistan needing 75 runs to win. It looked the match had gone out of Pakistan's hands, but Sarfaraz kept his cool, and along with Amir, shared a match winning partnership to see Pakistan through to the semifinals. It was a wonderful effort, playing under pressure in a crunch match and achieving the target with 31 balls to spare. Man of the match, Sarfaraz Ahmed, top scored with 61 runs with Amir remaining unbeaten on 28.

On 14th June, Pakistan played the first semifinal of the Champion's Trophy against England, at Cardiff, Wales. England, tournament favorites, enjoyed the advantage of playing at home and was the only unbeatable side in the tournament so far. Pakistan team had a major setback, as the main strike bowler, Mohammad Amir was out with a back problem, and in his place Rumman Raees made his ODI debut. Pakistan bowlers bowled an impeccable line and length. The indomitable team of the tournament was bowled out for 211 runs. Joe Root, with 46, was the highest scorer. This was the third successive match when Pakistani bowlers bowled out their opponents under a score of 240 runs. Junaid Khan and Rumman Raees shared two wickets each; Imad Wasim was accurate enough to give only 16 runs in five overs, but the pick of the bowlers was Hasan Ali, Man of the Match, taking 3 wickets for 35 runs. Brilliant fielding and attacking captaincy from Sarfaraz Ahmed backed Pakistani bowlers. Chasing 211 to win, Fakhar Zaman and Azhar Ali made118 runs for the opening wicket partnership, the highest ever opening stand for Pakistan, in the Champions Trophy. The partnership put Pakistan on course for an impressive victory. Fakhar Zaman was the first to go with an aggressive knock of 58 runs, his second consecutive half century, Azhar Ali scored a classy 76. Babar Azam, 38 and Mohammad Hafeez, a quick 31, made sure of easy sailing, as Pakistan achieved the target in the 38th over. Pakistan was through to the finals.

On 18th June 2017, nearly every home in Pakistan and India and cricket fans all over the world, were glued to their Televisions, watching the most intense rivalry in the cricketing world. On the screen was Pakistan Versus India, final of the ICC Champions Trophy at the historical jam-packed Oval cricket ground in London. Cricket pundits had declared India as clear favorites, termed as tournament's most powerful batting line, with a balanced bowling attack, and a convincing victory over Pakistan in the league matches. India enjoyed all the advantages.

Azhar Ali and Fakhar Zaman opened the innings; in the fourth over Fakhar nicked Jasprit Bumrah to the keeper, only to be let off by a no ball. This lucky escape for Fakhar Zaman proved too expensive for the Indians. Pakistan's first 100 runs came in the 18 overs, with a wonderful display of controlled aggression. In the 23rd over, Azhar Ali was unlucky to be run out for 59 runs, but this was not before the openers had recorded a partnership of 128 runs, the highest first wicket partnership against India at an ICC event. The fall of the wicket did not deter the attacking mood of Fakhar. He repulsed the bowling attack of the best Indian slow bowlers, Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin. At 56 off 73 balls, he hit the remaining 44 runs for his century off the next 19 balls, sweeping Ashwin for four to record his maiden ODI century. He became the first Pakistani to score a century in an ICC event final, the third player to score his maiden ODI century in an ICC event final, after Clive Lloyd and Philo Wallace. Neither Lloyd nor Wallace could score another. His perfect strokes, cuts, drives, pulls, and reverse sweep, in such a high pressure match, were a treat to watch. Fakhar Zaman was out in the 34th over, scoring 114 from 106 balls, in his fourth ODI. Pakistan, at 200 for 2 wickets, was given a perfect launching pad for a big score to follow. Babar Azam scored a well-played 46, Imad Wasim a breezy 25 and Hafeez added misery to the depleted Indian bowling attack, hitting three sixes and four fours for an unbeaten 57 of just 37 balls. Pakistani batsmen hit nine sixes, the most by any team in a final of ICC Champions Trophy history. Pakistan's 338/4 is the second-highest total in ICC tournament finals, after Australia's 359/2 against India in the final of the 2007 Cricket World Cup.

India, chasing a big score of 338 runs, encountered a scintillating opening spell from Mohammad Amir. Rohit Sharma was trapped LBW in the first over. Virat Kohli, to the horror of Pakistan supporters, was dropped at 5. While the Pakistan fans were still in a state of shock, on the very next ball, Amir had the Indian skipper caught by Shadab Khan. Getting the world number one batsman out, on the very next ball, exhibits Mohammad Amir's brilliance as the best-left arm bowler in the game today. Shikhar Dhawan was Amir's third victim, caught by Sarfaraz Ahmed, leaving India at a precarious score of 3 down for only 33 runs. Sarfaraz continued his attacking field placing, putting pressure on the Indian batsmen. Yuvraj Singh was LBW to Shadab Khan and the Indian team got a defining blow when M.S Dhoni was out for 4, leaving India 54 for 5 in the 14th over. Indian team's dressing room was in a state of shock. There was a quick 80 runs stand between Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja, but the run out of Pandya, for a well-played 76, proved to be the last nail in the coffin. Hasan Ali wiped out the tail, finishing with match-figures of 3 for 19, Junaid Khan and Shadab Khan shared a wicket each and Amir finished with three wickets for 16 runs, and Pakistan won the ICC Champions Trophy-2017.

After a demoralizing loss in its opening game, the least fancied and lowest ranked team in the competition stunned the top ranking team South Africa, kept its nerves to beat Sri Lanka, outwitted England in the semifinals and in the finals against India, mauled their fancied bowling attack and destroyed the much talked about Indian batting line up in 31 overs, winning the finals with 180 runs, the highest margin of victory, in terms of runs, in the history of ICC Champion's Trophy finals. This is also Pakistan's highest winning margin over India in ODI cricket.

Fakhar Zaman received the man of the match award, with Hasan Ali, bagging two awards, "Golden Ball" award for taking 13 wickets and the Man of the Series for his outstanding contribution towards Pakistan's first ICC ODI tournament title since 1992. The large number of Pakistani Supporters cheered Pakistan Zindabad Slogans as Sarfaraz lifted the coveted trophy, followed by a victory lap by the newly crowned champions.

This victory completed Pakistan's honour of winning all the major ICC trophies; the under-19 World Cup, won twice in 2004 and 2006, 1992 Cricket World Cup, 2009 ICC T 20 World Cup and now the 2017 Champion's Trophy. The victory sent a wave of joy to Pakistanis all over the world. There were celebrations nationwide, from big cities to small villages, and the whole country was in a state of complete ecstacy. On arrival in Pakistan the team was given a tumultuous welcome, conferred with attractive cash prizes, and invited to various receptions, including one by the Prime Minister.

The win for Pakistan is great for the game of cricket, but most importantly, for the players and Pakistani people, who follow it as a passion and had been missing the absence of international cricket on their soil because of security concerns. Here one must give credit to PCB for initiating PSL. This has certainly introduced talented players like Hasan Ali, Shadab Khan, Rumman Raees, Fakhar Zaman, and Imad Wasim and provided them an opportunity to play with renowned international players in pressure matches, bringing a world of learning for young players.

The Champions ICC Champions Trophy 2017, a set of three Commemorative Postage Stamps of Rs. 10/-Each Stamp and Souvenir Sheet of Rs. 50/- denomination is being issued by Pakistan Post on November 02, 2017.

125th ANNIVERSARY OF GOVERNMENT ISLAMIA COLLEGE RAILWAY ROAD, LAHORE, November 01, 2017 (2017-07)

Govt. Islamia College, Lahore was founded in 1892 in a two room upper storey of Haveli Munshi Harsukh at Sheranwala Gate, Lahore. The team of Lahorites who initiated this then humble project had scanty resources but passion, compassion and foresight in abundance. The College continued to teach and train students in this humble condition for almost eight years. In 1900 degree classes commenced. This up-gradation was a considerable achievement in those unspeakable circumstances. Looking at the slim resources, some people looked down upon this step but the passion for educating the sons of poor muslims prevailed and in the sway of the same spirit arrangements were made for teaching Arabic at postgraduate level in 1905. In 1904 the college was shifted to a private building at Railway Road, Lahore.

In 1907 Sardar Habibullah Khan, the ruler of Afghanistan, laid the foundation stone of Islamia College, Lahore at Railway Road where it stands today an area of about ten acres. The zealots. who were ebullient to see the dreams come true were not exhausted then. They motivated the masses, appealed to the charitable and sent their representatives to every nook and crevice to contact all and sundry for promoting this noble cause.

It was not until 1912 that it became possible to shift classes in this new building Habibia Hall, a tribute to our benefactor, stands in the middle with rows of rooms, laboratories and library on its both sides. Crescent (Jinnah) hostel was built on the left behind the main building of the college. Later owing to overwhelming number of candidates graduate and postgraduate classes were shifted in a building that was known as DVA College. This now exists as separate college, though it was originally a branch of Govt. Islamia College, Lahore Civil Lines is called because it is situated opposite Police Civil Lines behind the district courts.

However, Govt. Islamia College (Railway Road), Lahore continued to serve the community-mainly muslims. During Movement for Pakistan this college was strong center of verve and valor. According to annals during Pakistan Movement Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah visited Lahore 14 times and eleven times he came to Islamia College for he reposed great confidence in the enthusiasm, energy and devotion of the students of Islamia College Lahore they were not only the vanguards of Pakistan Movement but also the bodyguards of Quaid-e-Azam. More than once they took up this delicate and onerous responsibility and stood like a lead wall between Quaid and threats.

In addition to Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Allama Muhammad Iqbal, the poet of the East, also visited this college many times and by reading his inspiring poetry in Habibia Hall of the college infused a spirit in the students of the time. Apart from these honours, Govt. Islamia College, Lahore enjoys this honor that Allama Muhammad Iqbal joined the college's teaching faculty for some time. In 1941 first Pakistan conference was held in Govt. Islamia College, Lahore under auspices of Muslim Students Federation which was formally opened by Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. It was in this conference that Lahore resolution was termed as Pakistan Resolution.

Under the dynamic Principal of Sir Henry Martin, Dr Muhammad Taseer, The first Muslim doctor of English Literature in sub-continent, Allama Abdullah Yousaf Ali, who translated the Holy Quran into English, Khawaja Dil Muhammad etc. and invaluable and immeasureable skill of the teaching faculty produced luminaries who scintillated on the world horizon and not only added luster to the brilliance of the college but also lit the darkness prevailing in the world. Ch. Rehmat Ali who suggested the name for our homeland, Abdul Sattar Khan Niazi, a veteran politician, Hameed Nizami, the top ranker in the realm of journalism, Abdul Hafeez Kardar, the first skipper of Pakistan's cricket team, Fazal Mahmood, the devastating bowler, Nasir Kazmi, highly sensitive and musical poet, Mr. Sartaj Aziz, a seasoned parliamentarian are only a few examples to mention.

Before its centenary in 1992, a computer block was built to meet the demands of the coming digital modern age. Laboratories for B.Sc. Classes were also shifted in this block and a big Hall and its basement was allocated to the Health and Physical Education Department. Simultaneously a post graduate block was set up along the left corner of the ground where the classes for masters in English and Urdu have been conducted since then. The college is still playing its roles of enkindling a flame of commitment and patriotism in the hearts of young students.

On 125th Anniversary of Government Islamia College Railway Road, Lahore, a Commemorative Postage Stamp of Rs. 8/- denomination is being issued by Pakistan Post on November 01, 2017.

200th BIRTH ANNIVERSARY SIR SYED AHMED KHAN ON OCTOBER 17, 2017 (2017-06)

Sir Syed Ahmed Khan was one of the most illustrious Muslim educationalists, writers and social reformers. Born in Delhi in 1817, he hailed from a distinguished land-owned family.

Sir Syed had no formal education at any educational institutions. Through self-study, he accomplished himself in major branches of learning and became one of the most well-read men of his days.

Sir Syed was born at a time when the people of the Sub-continent in general and Muslims in particular were passing through a critical juncture. For nearly half a century, Sir Syed struggled against the apathy and despondency that had settled upon the Muslims in the post-1857 era. He managed to take them out of the abyss, give them a national identity, bring clarity to their thought, and put them on the road to progress and freedom.

Sir Syed was one of those early pioneers who recognized the critical role of education in the social, economic and political revival of Muslims. The Aligarh Movement' was his greatest achievement. He founded the Muhammadan Anglo Oriental College (MAO) at Aligarh in 1877. The MAO College, which aimed at a confluence of traditional learning and modern sciences, was elevated to become Aligarh muslim University in 1920.

The 'Aligarh Movement actively motivated the Muslim to spread a network of Muslim-managed educational institutions throughout the Sub-continent. For this purpose, Sir Syed founded 'All India Muslim Educational Conference' and remained its Secretary till 1897. These efforts helped in awakening the Muslims and infusing in them social and political awareness.

Sir Syed was nominated as member of the Imperial Legislative Council in 1878 and re-nominated in 1881, but he resigned in 1883. He also served as a Member of the Education Commission, but resigned due to his differences with Chairman W.W. Hunter.

Sir Syed was among the intellectual pioneers of Muslim nationalism and freedom in the Sub-continent. His ideas greatly influenced the vast array of Muslim inrellectuals, scholars, politicians, poets, writers and journalists. The graduates of Aligarh were among those who played the role of a vanguard in the movement for Pakistan. Sir Syed is thus counted among the founding fathers of Pakistan.

Sir Syed accomplished several scholarly works on a wide range of subjects during his life-time. His study of the events of 1857. "Asbab-e-Baghawat-e-Hind", is still considered a seminal work. His study of the monuments of Delhi, "Asar-al-Sanadid", is regarded as classic of archeology. In his "Series of Essays on the Life of Muhammad" (PBUH), Sir Syed wrote a response to the negative account of the Prophet's life by William Muir.

Sir Syed is also the author of 'Tahqeeq-e-Lafze Nassara', 'Tabayyun-ul-Kalam', 'Strictures upon the Present Educational System in India' Hunter's Indian Musalmans', 'On the Present State of Indian Politics', 'Musalmanan Ki Kismat Ka Faisala', and 'Sirat-e-Faridia' Sir Syed was also a pioneer in the field of Urdu journalism. his 'Tahzeebul-Akhlaq' and Aligarh Institute Gazette were important contributions in this regard.

Sir Syed had started work on a commentary on the Holy Quran. He had completed 7 volumes when he fell ill and could not live long enough to complete it. He passed away in 1898.

On the occasion of 200th Birth Anniversary of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, a Commemorative Postage Stamp of Rs. 10/- and Souvenir Sheet of Rs.20/- denominations are being issued by Pakistan Post on October 17, 2017.

MAULANA MUFTI MAHMOOD (1919-1980) OCTOBER 14, 2017 (2017-05)

Maulana Mufti Mehmood is a unique personality in our Political, religious and national history. He was born on January 9, 1919 at village Penniala, district Dera Ismail Khan. He started his schooling at the age of six. He passed his middle examination with high marks in 1933. He received his basic religious education at home and took admission in Madrasa Shahi, Murradabad (India) for further education. He received his final degree after six years in 1940. The same year, he performed his duty as a teacher in Madrasa Moeen-ul-Islam Esa Kheil (Mianwali) and performed his duties as Imam and teacher at Abdul khel, Dera Isimail Khan in 1947 and appointed in Madrasa Qasim-ul-uloom, Multan in 1950 and graced the chair of Tadrees and Afta. He personally wrote twenty-two thousand Fatawa which have been published under the title of "Fatawa-e-Mufti Mehmood".

Apart from tafseer-e-Mahmood based on his commentary gains, the treatise titled Almotanabi Al-Qadiani Mun Howa? Al-tas'heel-ul Ahkam-ul-Tarteel and Zubdat-ul-Maqal Fi roya tul- Hilal magazine are the masterpieces of his authorial craftsmanship and keenness. It was the result of his great approach and sound knowledge of Hadith that he compiled the Arabic commentary of Jamae-Tirmazi titled Almuntahi. He enjoyed special zeal for Islamic Jurisprudence. He deployed the power of logic and exercised moderation. in the matter of Fatwa. he never tried to politicize the religious matters. The Egyptian Mufti Muhammad Abduhu gave Fatwa regarding the legality of machine slaughtering.

Mulana Mufti Mehmood proved with solid reasons that an animal slaughtered through a machine could not be treated as "Halal". Thus he saved the entire nation from eating 'haram' meat. Beside being a great 'Mohadith', exegetist or commentator of the Holy Quran and jurist, he was an excellent author also. Religious scholars of Egypt and Hijaz too acknowledged his command of eloquence in the Arabic language. Along with Persian, he wrote several laudatory poerns in Arabic also. He was a renowned poet as well as a notable prose writer. As an editor of the weekly "Khuddamuddin", Lahore, he wrote several editoials for about three years.

In 1953, during Khatam-e-Nabuwwat movenment, Mufti Mahmood (RH) was arrested and during Ramzan-ul-Mubbark and eid he remained there in jail. He summoned a convention of the learned Ulma from across the whole country in Multan on October, 8-9 1956 in which 500 Ulma participated and elected Maulana Ahmed Ali Lahore (RH) as President (Ameer) Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, Maulana Ghulam Ghaus Hazarvi (RH) as General Secretary and Maulana Mufti Mahmood (RH) as Vice President (Naib Ameer). He prepared a learned report by pointing out the un-Islamic provisions of the constitution of 1956 which was published under the title of "Criticisms and amendments".

Maulana Mufti Mahmood had a Keen understanding of the state of affairs. Religious seminaries were his chief preoccupation. He assembled them and played a central role in the establishment of "Wifaq-ul Madaris Al-Arabic" which was meant to reform and organize the seminaries. He became its first general organizer. He was elected as the President after the demise of Hazrat Binori and held the office till his death. The certificate of Wafaq-ul-Madaris was for the first time issued during his term. Afterwards, he formally tabled a resolution on the floor of the National Assembly also to make this certificate equivalent to the degree of MA Islamiat. President Ayub Khan established Family commission in 1960 and promulgated an Ordinance to incorporate its recommendations into the constitution which were contradictory to the Islamic principles. At that point of time. Maulana Mufti Mahmood appealed to the general public to oppose the steps as well as protest against them. When he was elected as member of the National Assembly in 1962 for the first time, he convinced the majority of the House through his address in Dhaka to revoke the Family Laws..

On 8th March, 1963, a bill titled "Human Right" was introduced in the National Assembly. He pointed out those sections of the bill which might had opened the gate of apostasy.

Having heard about the fame and the role of Maulana Mufti Mahmood, the Rector of Al-Azhar university invited him in 1964 to participate in the millennium celebrations of the Jamia. He was invited in 1965 to participate in Majma-ul-joas Islami being held under the administration of the Govt. of Egypt. On this occasion, he presented the Kashmir issue while mentioning conspiracies against the Muslim countries. The newspapers of Cairo. published his speech under headline. He visited Egypt, Libya, Sudan, Syria, Kuwait and Saudia Arabia along-with a delegation on 12 July 1971. He got invitation from the scholars (Ulma) of Russia to attend the Islamic Conference in 1971. In January, 1972, he travelled to Saudi Arabia with the official hajj delegation to check the arrangements made for Pakistan Hujjaj. He boarded on a tour of six Arab countries in October, 1977. He preformed the dities of judge/Jury in the international ceremony of the competition of recitation of Holy Quran on Saudi Government's invitation in July, 79. He visited Kuwait on the invitation of Ministry of Aoqaf of Kuwait in May, 79 and during the same tour he also visited South Africa. In 1980, alongwith a delegation, he visited Iran on the invitation of the Government of Iran... He went to India to attend the centenary celebrations of DAR-UL-Uloom Deoband in March 80. He whole heartedly supported the Arab alliance movement of Jamal Abdu-ul-Nasir of Egypt. When Israel attacked Egypt in 1967, he held demonstrations in support of president of Egypt, Jamal Abdul Nasir and responded to the imperial propaganda against Nasir in a befitting manner.

In 1970, he decided to contest election from Dera Ismail Khan. Mr. Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto announced to compete against Maulana Mufti Mahmood. The election was won by Mufti Mahmood. After elections, as a result of agreement between the National Awami party (NAP) and Jamiat, Mufti Mahmood became the Chief Minister of NWFP. On 1st May 1972, he took oath of the Chief Ministership and immediately banned alcohol in the Province. Each and every type of gambling was declared legally a crime; ban was imposed on (usury) and orders were issued to provide interest-free loans. Ehteram-e-Ramzan-ul-Mubbarik ordinance was promulgated. Friday was declared as closed holiday and Urdu declared as official language along with enforcement of educational reforms. A five-member the board of scholars and legal experts was constituted to bring legislation in line with the Quran and the Sunnah, Sugar, Textile, Cement, Fertilizer and steel factories were approved to be set-up for the development and the welfare of general public. A number of irrigation projects were initiated. After nine months in office, he resigned from the Chief Ministership of NWFP in protest against the sacking of Baluchistan government and thereby he set a healthy precedent in the politics of Pakistan.

Maulana Mufti Mahmood struggled unprecedentedly to make the constitution Islamic. Definition of Muslim, condition for the President and the Prime Minister to be Muslims, guarantee for not enacting laws contrary to the Quran and the Sunnah, the formation of the council of Islamic Ideology, along with the clause relating to the Islamization of the prevailing laws necessarily within seven years were the result of his efforts. Nationwide movement commenced against Qadianiyat in 1974. This case was presented in the Parliament. All the Muslim Patrliamentarians were one and united under the Chairmanship of Maulana Mufti mahmood Opposition moved a resolution in the National Assembly on 30th June, 1974 to declare Qadianis a non-Muslim minority. On 7th September, 1974, the House declared Qadianis as non-muslim minority by making unanimous amendment in the constitution

In order to resolve the issue of the sighting of moon, he summoned a meeting of the Country's Ulema and Mufti in Qasim-ul-uloom Multan, in September, 1954 so that unanimous stand could be taken. Afterwards when Committees were constituted for making the Constitution, he not only succeeded in making Islamic provisions, a part of the Constitution but also succeeded in making formation of central Ruwait-e-Hilal Committee and its rules and regulations, a part of the Constitution

In February 1975, Maulana Mufti Mahmood was elected the officiating Opposition Leader in the National Assembly

He taught daura-e-tafseer in Madrasa Qasim-ul-uloom, Sheranwala Gate Lahore during Ramadan in August, 1976. He also attended Assembly sessions during this very period. The National Assembly was dissolved on 10th January, 1977 and elections were announced to be held on 7th March. The Opposition formed Pakistan National Alliance and Mufti Mahmood was made its President. Elections held on 7th March were alleged to be rigged, so countrywide protests and strikes were announced by the National Alliance. At one stage, through negotiations Mr. Bhutto agreed that elections would be held again but on 5th July, 1977 Zia-ul-Haq took over the reins and announced that elections would be held within 90 days but afterwards he backed out of his words, Maulana Mufti Mahmood strongly opposed that move.

Zia-ul-Haq promulgated the Zakat Ordinance on 30th June, 1980. Maulana Mufti Mahmood didn't agree with this initiative. He was having a discussion on the issue with prominent religious scholars of Karachi in Dar-ul-Hadis of Jamaia Banori Town when suffered a Cardiac arrest and breathed his last on 14th October, 1980. Three funeral prayers were held for Maulana Mufti Mahmood. First in Karachi by Maulana Abdul Hai, Second, in Multan, by Maulana Abdullah Darkhwasti and the third funeral prayer was lead by his son, Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman in Abdul Khel and he was laid to rest in his native graveyard at Abdul Khel.

On Maulana Mufti Mahmood (1919-1980), a Commemorative Postage Stamp of Rs.8/- denomination is being issued by Pakistan Post on October 14, 2017.

PAKISTAN AND ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK 50 YEARS OF PARTNERING FOR DEVELOPMENT. JULY 06, 2017 (2017-4)

The year 2016-2017 marks the 50th anniversary of the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-a milestone celebration for ADB and all its partners and stakeholders.

Pakistan is one of the founding members of ADB. ADB provided its first loan to Pakistan in 1968 to help the country fund the credit requirements of small and medium-scale industries. Since then, ADB has extended vital support to improve Pakistan's economy, reduce poverty and achieve development goals.

Pakistan and ADB have worked together to promote export, private sector efficiency, reform public sector management, financial market development, improve social protection, emergency assistance and prioritizing energy. A particular emphasis has been placed on promoting the welfare of women.

ADB has been one of Pakistan's largest and most steadfast development partners. As of 31 December 2016, ADB has provided more than $29.5 billion in loans, technical assistance, and grants to assist Pakistan achieve its development goals.

ADB: Through the Years.

In the 1970s, ADB stepped into the area of power generation and transmission, including supporting natural gas and hydropower projects. The Tarbela hydropower plant, one of Pakistan's largest, was originally supported by ADB in 1974 and has been extended in coordination with other development partners in subsequent decades. ADB also extended vital assistance for Mangla dam and Ghazi Barotha power plants.

After a resident mission was established in Islamabad, ADB focused its expertise and resources on supporting efforts to grow the economy through free enterprise, privatization, deregulation, and liberalization. This included promoting exports and bringing private sector efficiency into health care and education.

By the middle of the 1990s, ADB's work in Pakistan was focused on education, population welfare, public sector management reform, and government decentralization.

In the early 2000s, a new government put in place an economic reform program designed to build on efforts in the 1990s to open the economy through privatization and economic liberalization. The program, along with other factors, was a major boost to the economy.

From 2005 to 2012, Pakistan and ADB worked together to restore basic services and livelihood to millions of people devastated by 2005 earthquake in northern Pakistan, and subsequent floods in 2010 and 2011.

The period also marks projects to upgrade transmission and distribution networks, improve transport infrastructure and connectivity, agriculture and irrigations systems, livelihood development, and investment to boost social security of poorest and most vulnerable groups including women.

Between 2012 and 2015, ADB-supported projects in Pakistan helped build or upgrade 2,454 classrooms and train 656 teachers, benefiting 53,729 students. ADB's energy assistance resulted in an additional 0.113 megawatts (MW) of power generation, as well as the installation or upgrading of 729 km of distribution lines, providing electricity to about 92,443 households. In transportation, ADB helped build or upgrade 2,946 km of roads and highways that accommodated an average of 3,689,739 vehicle-kilometers daily during the first full year of operation.

ADB's water supply and sanitation programs have provided a total of 32,944 households with improved sanitation, and have installed or upgraded 1,075 km of water pipes, which now bring clean water to 192,698 households. ADB projects financed wastewater treatment plants with the capacity to handle a total of 570,000 cubic meters (m3) per day. And, under its rural development projects, there were 162,976 micro-finance loan accounts opened or end borrowers reached.

Through its regional cooperation and integration projects, ADB has facilitated the cross-border transport of 9,279,000 tons of cargo per year.

ADB & Pakistan: Stronger Together

ADB can reflect on its achievements in Pakistan with pride. Pakistan and ADB have built highways, rural roads, hydroelectric power plants, canals. schools, hospitals, financial markets, and other critical facilities that improve lives and help pull millions out of poverty.

Together with other development agencies, nongovernment organizations, and the private sector, ADB is committed to work to attract investment, create industries and jobs, and improve the quality of life of Pakistan citizens.

On Pakistan and ADB 50 Years of Partnering for Development, a Commemorative Postage Stamp of Rs. 8/- denomination is being issued by Pakistan Post on July 6, 2017.