ON WATER CONSERVATION (WAPDA) March 22, 2016 (2016-02)

Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) is a federal autonomous body that came into existence through an Act of parliament in 1958. The Authority comprises of a Chairman, three Members / MD (Water / Power & Finance) and a Secretary. The Government of Pakistan had assigned WAPDA the responsibility for optimal utilization of Water and Power Resources in the country. Simultaneously, it was also given the task of planning of Hydel Generation, Designing, Construction and installation of transmission and distribution Line. In 2007, through an Ordinance WAPDA was restructured / bifurcated into two separate entities l.e. WAPDA and PEPCO. The functions of Hydro Power and Water Sector Construction, Generation, Operation and Maintenance of Power Houses remained with WAPDA whereas the distribution (DISCOS) Generation of Thermal Power (GENCOs) and transmission of electricity (NTDC) were placed at disposal of PEPCO.

WAPDA appreciates the collaborated efforts, collective wisdom and support, provided by the various organization and other agencies of Provisional / Federal Government as well as the Donor Agencies i.e. IDB, World Bank, ADB, AFD, KFW. CIDA, Kuwait Fund, OPEC, SFD, Chinese Government, China Exim Bank Korean Investment Bank, USAID etc.

Wapda Hydel Power Stations produced 31,306 Million kWh Net Energy during the FY 2013-14 which is 34% of the total Hydel / Thermal Generation Mix of the Power System. Up-gradation & Refurbishment of Mangla Power Station has been started with the assistance of USAID. Feasibility Study and detail design for rehabilitation, up-gradation and modernization of Warsak Power Station has been completed which will ensure the running of the plant at its full capacity of 243 MW while. feasibility study of new Warsak Power House 300MW is under finalization. Planning work for up-gradation of Renala and Chitral Hydol Power Station is under progress which envisages enhancing their capacity from 01 MW to 04 MW and 01 MW to 05 MW respectively. Besides, Special Repair and Maintenance of Terbela Power Station is also being carried out under FARA/USAID.

Water Wing of WAPDA is responsible for planning, Designining and execution of Water Resources Development Projects in the Sector of Irrigation, drainage, and Hydro Power. Inter provincial major surface Water Projects including large dams are also operated and maintained by Water Wing, WAPDA

Indus Basin Projects (05 Barages, 08 Inter River Link Canal 1965-70, Mangla (1967) and Terbela Dam (1976) have already been completed by WAPDA Water wing and are contributing substantially, towards national economy.

Chashma Hydel Power Project having a generation capacity of 184MW of electricity has been operating since 2001. Ghazi Brotha Hydro Power Project with a generation capacity of 1450 MW of electricity has been functioning since 2003. National Drainage programe in four provinces has been completed since 2007.

More recently, Sabakzai Dam Project and Greater Thal Canal acres (Phase-1) have been completed in 2009 which are cultivating 6875 and 355,000 respectively. Mirani Dam Project has been completed and is in operation. Mangla Dam Raising Project has been completed in December 2009 and the project also in operation.

Commercial Operation of Khan Khawar HPP (72MW) started in November 2010. Satpara Dam has also started commercial operation 02 units in October 2007 and December 2008 and remaining two units in June 2013. Allai Khwar HPP (121MW) and Jinnah HPP (96MW) are also in commercial operation since March 2013 and October 2013 respectively. Duber Khwar HPP (130 MW) is also substantially completed and will start commercial operation within a month.

Gomal Zam Dam component has been completed, while work on irrigation. Component is in progress. Work on Rainee Canal (Phase-I), Kachhi Canal (Phase-1) and on drainage schemes RBOD-I & III in Sindh and Balochistan in progress. The infrastructure construction work of Diamer Bhasha Dam (4500 MW) is under progress. The other Dams namely Kurram Tangi Dam (83.4 MW), Akhori Dam (600 MW) & Mohmand Dam Hydro Power Project (740 MW) are also under Tendering and Design Stage.

Neelum Jhelum 969 MW, Golan Gol (106 MW) & Tarbela 4th Extension 1410 MW HPPs are under construction. Lower Palas Valley 665 MW and lower Spat Gah 496 MW are being constructed on Public Private Partnership Mode.

All study of Dasu HPP 4320 MW being financed by World Bank are complete and tendering is expected to be under taken soon. Feasibility Study of Thakot 2800 MW, Basho 40 MW, Harpo 34.5 MW and Patan 2800 MW is in progress.

In addition WAPDA has initiated construction work on 12 small medium Dams, these projects are located in provinces of Pakistan. Balochistan, Sindh, KPK and Punjab.

WAPDA has taken up linning of Muzaffargarh Canal to control Water Logging due to Muzaffargarh and T.P Link Canal. WAPDA has also carried out a detailed study of a pilot project on lining of main Canal (Dadu, Rice Rohari at Upper reach).

In addition to this special research has been initiated on Glacial Monitoring in the wake of global warming and future strategy to store / conserve the additional water from the melting of Glaciers.

WAPDA has initiated work on inland Water Ways Transportation System PC-II has been submitted to Govt of Pakistan to obtain official permission undertake the feasibility study. WAPDA is also dealing studies on the potential of storing water in underground shells during Floods and near hill Torrents.

WAPDA Sports Board was established in 1960 for promotion of sports in Wapda with the ultimate goal of increasing the organizations participation at the national level. It obtained affiliation with the Pakistan Olympic Association in 1984. WAPDA has shown noteworthy achievements in the field of sports by wining 137medals. (Gold, Bronze and Silver) in the national games.

WAPDA earnest endeavors are reflecting of its commitment to support the national economy and help in poverty alleviation through improved Hydel Thermal Mix of Power generation, provision of electricity at affordable rates and above all perspective planning and timely execution of projects to meet Water and Power demands of the growing population.

On Water Conservation" (WAPDA), a commemorative postage stamp of Rs.8/-denomination is being issued by Pakistan Post on March 22, 2016.

50 YEARS OF SAFE OPERATION OF 1ST NUCLEAR REASEARCH REACTOR IN PAKISTAN (PINSTECH ISLAMABAD -1965-2015) February 10, 2016 (2016-01)

The year 2015 marks 50 glorious years of Pakistan Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology (PINSTECH) preeminence and excellence in scientific and technical achievements. PINSTECH is a research institute of Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC). Pakistan in its early days faced a challenge of lack of qualified scientific manpower and technology infrastructure. Right from the beginning, PAEC had full realization of these facts and had a clear vision of the requirements in terms of trained manpower and technical infrastructure for pursuing an indigenous nuclear power programme. PINSTECH as an institute of international stature was conceived by late Dr. I. H. Usmani, former chairman PAEC and Dr. Abdus Salam, a Nobel Laureate and was unveiled in 1965. Dr. Usmani very esthetically selected the site about 20 kilometers south east of Islamabad at Nilore. Agreement for its design that blends eastern elegance with modern technology of the West in neo-Mughal splendor was signed with Edward Durrel Stone, famous American architect. In 1966 the architect won American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) Professional Award for PINSTECH project. PINSTECH houses the Pakistan's first research reactor called Pakistan Research Reactor-1 (PARR-1). On 21st December 2015 PARR-1, the first nuclear research reactor in the whole Muslim World, is also completing 50 years of its safe operation.

Over last five decades PINSTECH has matured as premier research institution of the country and an internationally recognized center for research in multidisciplinary fields which includes chemistry, physics, computational physics, material science, metallurgy, health & environmental safety, radioisotope production/applications, nuclear engineering, reactor fuel development, electronics, information technology, computer science and human resource development. The institute has some of the most advanced operational research facilities with wide ranging sophisticated equipment and highly qualified and skilled scientists and engineers. It has rendered technical support to industry, research institutes, medical and agricultural centers in areas such as radiation and isotope applications, radiation monitoring, mechanical testing and failure analysis, water resource research, electronics and computers. It has not only made significant contributions to the peaceful applications of nuclear technology but has also helped upgrade the overall level of scientific research culture in the country.

Presently, apart from continuous R&D in major disciplines of science & technology, PINSTECH is pursuing some very important applied projects like Production of Radioisotopes and Radiopharmaceuticals, fuel fabrication for PARR-1, development of linear accelerator for medical use, services related to radiological safety & protection, material synthesis & characterization and applied work in hydrology. industry and environment. The efforts in all these activities are supported with up to-date facilities for quality control, analytical services and extensive reservoir of scientific information. Different analytical laboratories equipped with high tech instruments and its skilled manpower are providing services to PAEC, public and private sector organizations. The production of radioisotopes and radiopharmaceuticals for use in the nuclear medical centers and for other applications, has been a unique feature of the institute. PINSTECH is catering the needs of 36 private and public medical centers all over Pakistan for radiopharmaceuticals and radioisotopes. The institute has an inimitable library that was declared as the National Library of Physical Sciences by Ministry of Science and Technology in 2002.

PINSTECH for its outstanding contribution to the advancement of science and technology in Pakistan was declared a winner of the Islamic Development Bank award in Science and Technology in 2002 and was declared "the best S&T institution" in the Islamic world. Various scientific and technological developments at PINSTECH have shaped the scientific and technological landscape of the country. The Institute has a very strong interaction with the international and national scientific community. The research and supporting facilities of the Institute are utilized by students and faculty members of different national universities. Many scientists of the Institutes have also been awarded Ph.D. degrees by local universities on the basis of their research work. PINSTECH has very strong collaboration with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and has actively taken part in the Regional Cooperative Agreement (RCA) among 21 countries of the South East Asia and the Pacific region for over four decades. Numerous scientists associated with the Institute have also won national and international awards as recognition of their work.

On Completion of 50 Years of Safe Operation of First Nuclear Research Reactor in Pakistan, a commemorative postage stamp of Rs.8-denomination is being issued by Pakistan Post on February 10, 2016.

HIS HIGHNESS THE AGA KHAN 1957 DIAMOND JUBILEE.2017. December 08, 2017 (2017-12)

The year-long celebration commencing from 11th July, 2017 to 11 July, 2018, marks the Diamond Jubilee of the imamat of His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan, the 49th hereditary Imam (spiritual leader) of the Shia Imami Muslim Community. The commemoration of the Diamond Jubilee is in keeping with the Community's longstanding tradition of marking historic milestones.

Driven by the ethics of faith and the imam's hereditary responsibility to improve quality of life, His Highness has been at the forefront of innovation and development during the 60 years of his imamat. He is the founder and chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), one of the most comprehensive development network today, with over 10.000 employees. The AKDN operates in over 30 countries, principally in Central and South Asia, Eastern and Western Africa and the Middle East.

Inspired by the islamic ethic of compassion and responsibility of care for the needy, the AKDN works for the Muslim Ummah and the societies within which they live, addressing key challenges related to human development regardless of gender, origin, or religion. The AKON institutions have mandates ranging from health and educalion to architecture, microfinance, disaster reduction, rural development, promotion of private-sector enterprise and the revitalisation of historic cities all of which are catalysts for socio-economic development. Together, they contribute towards building a vibrant civil society that caters to the needs of vulnerable segments. The AKDN works in close partnership with public and private institutions, including governments, international organisations, NGOs, and universities

The AKON operates more than 200 health care institution, 2 universities and 200 schools in some of the most remote and disadvantaged parts of the developing world. Each year, among numerous interventions, the AKDN provides quality health care to 5,000,000 people, introduces school improvement programmes for 2.000.000 studerits from preschool to university level, generates electricity for 10,000,000 people, and helps 8,000,000 achieve greater food security and raise household incomes

During the 60 years of imamat, the AKDN institutions in Pakistan have made significant contributions in the social, economic and cultural development of the country.

The AKDN provides vital medical and educational facilities to a large segment of the country's vulnerable popolation. The Aga Khan University Hospital and related medical facilities have proven to be a game changer in raising the quality of health care in Pakistan. It continues to be the beacon for medical breakthrough with renowned medical facilities and a highly reputed medical school.

The Aga Khan also established the first Aga Khan School in Gwader in 1905. Since then, education facilities under the AKDN have expanded to more than 160 schools operating in some of the most remote areas of Pakistan, The AKON in Pakistan is artiongat the first to recognise the critical, long term impact of Early Childhood Development, and has thus implemented innovative and interactive programmes in its schools.

Aga Khan Rural Support Programme, established in 1982 by the Aga Khan Foundation, has greatly improved the socio-economic conditions in the rural areas of Pakistan, through rural development projects such as training to improve skills and creating access to finance, and the provision of facilities resulting in access to clean water and electricity.

AKDN projects to restore historical forts and monuments such as the Walled City of Lahore have not only helped preserve culture but also encouraged tourism and economic development in rural and urban areas of Pakistan.

In 2006. His Highness and the Canadian govemment established the Global Centre for Pluralism in Ottawa with the goal to advance respect for diversity worldwide, with a belief that openness towards, and understanding of cultures, social structures, values and faiths of other peoples is essential to the survival of an interdependent world. His Highness believes diversity should inspire, not divide, and that enhancing pluralism is a crucial building block for constructing peaceful and successful civil societies

Decorations, Awards and Degress

In recognition of his exceptional efforts and contributions to human development and improving the social condition of societies-globalfy, His Highness has, over the last six decades, received numerous decorations, honorary degrees and awards from institutions and governments around the world. In Pakistan, His Highness has been awarded the following honours:

Ø  Nishan-e-Imtiaz (1970)

Ø  Nishan-e-Pakistan -Pakistan (1983)

Ø  LLD (honoris causa) University of Peshawar (1967)

Ø  LLD (honoris causa) University of Sindh (1970)

Ø  Honorary Membership, Pakistan Medical dical Associaton (1981)

Ø  Honorary Fellowship of the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan (CPSP) (1985)

On Diamond Jubilee of His Highness The Aga Khan (1967-2017), the Commemorative Postage Stamps of Rs. 10/- denomination is (Slat of 6) are being issued by Pakistan Post on December 08, 2017

DR. RUTH KATHARINA MARTHA PFAU (1929-2017) December 03, 2017. (2017-11)

Ruth Pafu was a German doctor who devoted 57 years of her life fighting against Leprosy in Pakistan. She was known for her humanitarian services to people of Pakistan to root out Leprosy from the country. Born on 9th September, 1929 in Leipzig Germany, she grew up seeing the horrors of the Second World War (1939-1945) during which her city was bombed and destroyed. When the war ended, her country was divided into East and West Germany. In 1948, when she was just 17 years old she headed for the border to cross from East (then under Russian occupation) into West to pursue her medical education which she completed in 1950. Feeling unsatisfied with her life and with a desire to do something more purposeful in her life she decided to dedicate the rest of her life to the poor people of the world. Her devotion to God was so strong and unshakable that she eventually became a Nun and joined the Catholic Order of the 'Daughters of the Heart of Mary'. Her skills as a doctor made an asset to the Order's various charity missions. In 1960, she was given an assignment to assist Mother Teresa in India to help with the healthcare of the poor. However, due to visa problem she stopped over in Karachi. While staying in Karachi she along with other Nuns of her Order visited a Lepers colony situated at McLeod Road. There a small dispensary made of wooden crates was already established by her group members. It was an experience that she never forgot "I felt saddened when I saw people living in caves, crawling like animals. They had compromised with their faith but it was not their fate, they deserved a much better and happier life".

There were no proper drugs to treat Leprosy, no facilities, no electricity, no water. Sewage water mixed with all the garbage and stench overflowing from the open drains and the long lines of people who had lost their dignity because of being affected by Leprosy, and to add to the sorrow were some patients whose hands and feet became nutritional supplements for rats. Seeing the sub-human condition of the Lepers colony and people affected by Leprosy, Dr. Pfau realized that God had stopped her over in Karachi for a reason and that her real mission was to help the unfortunate and vulnerable. She decided that the care of patients would be her life's calling.

Dr. Pfau quickly reorganized the rough-hewn dispensary into a proper hospital - a full service Leprosy treatment and rehabilitation Center, free of charge to patients. She travelled to various parts of Pakistan to identify and treat patients affected by Leprosy. Soon, the makeshift clinic became a two-storey hospital, known as the Marie Adelaide Leprosy Centre with 157 branches across Pakistan. She trained doctors and paramedical workers and treated thousands of patients affected by Leprosy. Her dedication inspired the government to establish a national program to bring Leprosy under control.

With her efforts, in 1996 the World Health Organization declared Pakistan the first country in EMRO region to have controlled Leprosy.

Dr. Ruth Pfau was one of those great people in the history of mankind who selflessly devoted their lives to serving humanity without any interest for fame or personal benefits and without any discrimination of race, religion and geographical boundaries. She proved to be an angel in blessing for such poor people suffering from Leprosy.

Dr. Pfau was the moving spirit of the Leprosy Control Program. She spent over half a century in Pakistan. In search of the index cases, she travelled to every nook and corner of Pakistan. After controlling Leprosy, she launched an elimination campaign throughout Pakistan. She also included other health disciplines like Tuberculosis, Blindness control, Community Based Inclusive Development (CBID) of Persons with Disabilities and Maternal Child Health Care (MCHC) so that Leprosy activities are sustained till its eradication.

Dr. Ruth Pfau was recognized in Pakistan and abroad as a distinguished human being and was awarded many prizes and medals most prominently. The Order of the Cross with Star from her native country Germany, Hilal-e-Imtiaz, Hilal-e-Pakistan and Nishan-e-Quaid-e-Azam from the Government of Pakistan, Magsaysay award from the Government of Philippines and the BAMBI award in Germany (the most popular media award of Europe).

She was someone who never sought out the spotlight for herself but spent every waking hour defending those who are ignored and forgotten.

She was someone who mourned for others when they were in need. She felt the pain of people when they were treated like second-class citizens because of Leprosy.

She treated her patients with gentleness and compassion and worked hard to support the lives of others by offering medical care, food and funds.

She always thought every person is unique and deserves respect because they are created by God and that just because you are a Leper or a poor farmer does not mean that you are below everyone.

Through her hard work, Dr. Pfau made Pakistan- a nation considered sub-standard when compared to other great nations in Asia- the first country in the continent to have Leprosy controlled.

Whether it is flood or an earthquake, natural or man-made disaster, she was there to help poor people. She actively participated in 2005 earthquake in Azad Jammu & Kashmir and floods in 2010 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh and facilitated deserving communities through relief, reconstruction and rehabilitation activities. She also established community based inclusion program for persons with disabilities and Maternal Child Health Care program to serve the poor communities.

"The person is the centre of our concern. His dignity is our sacred trust."

On Dr. Ruth Katharina Martha Pfau (1929-2017), a Commemorative Postage Stamp of Rs. 8/- denomination is being issued by Pakistan Post on December 03, 2017.

70th ANNIVERSARY OF ESTABLISMENT OF DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS BETWEEN PAKISTAN AND TURKEY. November 09, 2017 (2017-09)

Historical Background:

Pakistan and Turkey enjoy exemplary ties based on commonalities of faith. culture, history and traditions. The relationship between both the countries is characterized by exceptional warmth, cordiality, mutual trust and understanding.

Today these bonds have transformed into a mutually beneficial strategic partnership.

Pakistan-Turkey relations date back to the Khilafat movement, which was launched by the Muslims of the sub-continent even before our independence in 1947. This Movement aimed at preventing division of the Ottoman Empire is still cherished as the epitome of the historical nature of the relationship between the two sides where Muslim volunteers from Subcontinent joined hands in support of the Turkish troops. The anecdotes of Muslim women from sub-continent selling their possessions and gold and silver items to support the Khilafat Movement is still remembered with warmth in the Turkish academia and general public discourse.

Both the sides established diplomatic relations immediately after creation of Pakistan in August 1947. Yahya Kemal Beyatii, first Turkish Ambassador, presented credentials to Quaid-e-Azam on 4 March 1948, whereas, Mian Bashir Ahmed, first Pakistani Ambassador to Turkey, presented credentials to President Ismet Inonu in June 1949, which ushered in a new era of brotherhood between the two nations.

Both the countries signed an Agreement for Friendly Cooperation, in April 1954. Later after one year, Pakistan and Turkey joined CENTO in 1955. Moreover, they formed an organization Regional Cooperation for Development (RCD), along with Iran in 1964, which was later transformed into Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) in 1985 as successor to RCD. ECO expanded to become 10-member Organization in 1992. Turkey also became a member of OIC Contact Group on Kashmir and always held a stance on Jammu Kashmir that is in line with Pakistan's interests. Pakistan supports Turkish position on the rights of the Turkish Cypriots.

In the recent times both the sides have recognized the strategic significance of the relationship. The relationship is steadily growing in the political, economic, security, defence, education and cultural spheres. Both the sides are now committed to transform traditionally cordial ties into a robust economic partnership. The strength of this relationship is manifested by the fact that we have convergent views on major regional and global issues. There is close level of cooperation in multilateral fora between the two sides.

Public and Cultural Diplomacy

Culturally Pakistan and Turkey have been very close due to the historical relevance of the ties. Bilateral Cultural Agreement between the two states was signed in June 1953. Since then there has been no turning back and both the sides have had exchanges in cultural, educational and scientific and public areas that will hardly find parallel in modern history. From student exchanges to scholarships to exchange. of writers and academia, the two countries have been heavily engaged in such interactions on regular basis. A Coffee table book has also been published recently titled 'Journey of Friendship' a pictorial history of Pakistan-Turkey relations since inception to date.

In recognition of the services for the promotion of Urdu language and literature and Pakistan-Turkey Cultural cooperation, the Government of Pakistan awarded Istanbul University's Chairman of Urdu Department, Prof. Dr. Halil Toker, with "Sitara-e-Imtiaz". President of Pakistan Mamnoon Hussain conferred this award upon Prof. Dr. Halil Toker during the investiture ceremony at Aiwan-e-Sadar, Islamabad on 23rd March 2017. In the 7th International Buhara Medya Awards, Pakistan's Ambassador to Turkey, Sohail Mahmood, was presented "Diplomat of the Year" award by Buhara Medya at a ceremony in Ankara on 25th January 2017.

Pakistan hosted 13th ECO Summit on 1st March 2017 in Islamabad Turkish President Erdogan also participated in the Summit ushering in a new era of regional connectivity. More colors were added to the brotherly ties with celebrations of 70th Year of Diplomatic ties, when the famous Turkish Mehtar Band of Ottoman era took a spectacular part in Pakistan Defense day on 23rd March 2017. In 2017, as a part of these celebrations, the Turkish Whirling Dervishes (Maulana Rumi's disciples) paid a country tour to Pakistan.

On the Turkish side, Pakistan's mission in Akara is also actively engaged in holding literary and cultural events. In order to increase collaboration between the film music industry of both the countries renowned director, producer and actor Mr. Javed Sheikh is shooting an upcoming Pakistani film "Wajood" in Turkey.

A number of MoUs/Agreements in multiple areas of cooperation are also in place between the two countries. At Higher Education Level (HEC) both sides have close collaboration that oversees the exchange of academia and students for higher studies on both sides.

All these interactions and warmth in bilateral ties prove that Pakistan and Turkey are two countries with a shared destiny. Our hearts beat together and all these colors of the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations embolden the beauty of our bonds.

Allama Iqbal and Turkey

Allama Iqbal was born at Sialkot on November 9, 1877 and had his early education at Government College, Lahore. Later he also studied at Cambridge, and the University of Munich. After his education he taught philosophy at Government College Lahore and practiced law. He was elected (1927) to the Punjab provincial. legislature and served (1930) as president of the Muslim League. He became a staunch supporter of an independent homeland for India's Muslims and he is regared as the spiritual founder of Pakistan. Iqbal was the foremost Muslim thinker of his period, and in his many volumes of poetry (written in Urdu and Persian) and essays. he urged a regeneration of Islam through the love of God and the active development of the self. He was a firm believer in freedom and the creative force that freedom can exert on men. He was knighted in 1922. His works include The Secrets of the Self (1915), and Javid-nama (1934), Iqbal is the national poet of Pakistan.

He has in fact been called "the most serious Muslim philosophical thinker of modern times." Iqbal is the best articulated Muslim response to Modernity that the Islamic world has produced in the 20th century.

Rumi is M.Iqbal's great master whom he calls "Pir-i-Rumi (The master from Anatolia), and he names himself as "Murid-i-Hindi (The Indian disciple). In his Asrar-o-Rumuz Iqbal claims, "The saint Rumi has changed my earth into an elixir and out of my dust has produced much splendour." It means that there is a great impact of Rumi on Iqbal's spiritual teachings. When we study Rumi and Iqbal side by side, we find two bodies in one shirt. There are more than 250 poets in Turkey that follow the great master Rumi but Iqbal's interpretations are the most up-to-date. It is Rumi's Masnevi that seems to influence Iqbal the most. Great Persian poet Mulla Jami says this about Rumi's Masnevi. "The Masnevi of the spiritual master (Rumi) is the Koran in Persian." This statement is very true. Thus many teachings of Iqbal depend on the Holy Quran, directly or indirectly.

Turkey has also established an honorary grave of Allama Muhammad Iqbal at Mevlana Rumi's Shrine. The epitaph on the grave translates as 'this Honorary resting place has been granted to Muhammad Iqbal, Pakistan's national poet, by his spiritual master, Mevlana Rumi

Mehmet Akif ERSOY

Mehmet Akif Ersoy was born in December 1873, in his father's home in a neighborhood by the name of Sariguzel, in the Fatih district of Istanbul He commences his schooling life at the community school "Emir Buhari' in Fatih, when he was 4. After 2 years of education at the Emir Buhari, he continued his schooling. respectively, at primary (iptidal), secondary (rustiye) and high school (idadi) Muallim Naci was the literature teacher at this school, where he accomplished the first three-year term and lost his father as he was at the first grade of the senior section (1888). To complete the conditions for his education as well as to get a shortcut job he entered the Veterinary Faculty in 1889. He pursued his education at this school at the Ahirkapi campus for two years (day school) and another two years as a boarding student at the Halkali campus. As mentioned. he was the first graduate of the school and top of the class.

Akif's close affinity with music dates back to reed-flute (ney) classes he took from Neyzen Tevfik. Akif's knowledge of music as the fruit of his invested efforts allowed him to achieve a level of skill in playing the musical instrument. His interest with music gave him the opportunity to know and savor many oeuvres of classical western music.

His innate penchant for languages allowed him to easily learn Arabic, Persian and French, which he learned so well as to follow the literature of these languages and translate them.

At the age of 20, he learnt the Holy Koran by heart.

Mehmet Akif is widely known as a poet. However, less known than his verse he also penned down other critical prose and translated. Although overshadowed by his verse, his other writtings are no less reflective of his personality as a great man of ideas and endeavors.

Akif published his nationalistic poems, which were unprecedentedly fluid, simple and speaking of the life and sentiments of his people. Nearly 50 poems of Akif were composed-including the National Anthem, the Independence March'- and important ones were translated into Arabic.

Akif was renown and loved by the people as a grand Islamic figure.

National poet of Turkey, who wrote unique National Anthem by putting into words his great love of country, was at the same time a great thinker and activist. He acted as a spiritual leader during National Struggle as an Islamic elder known and loved by the people for his strong faith and commonsense. In addition to these virtues, he has worked successfully in many fields as veterinarian, educator, preacher, hafiz, Koran interpreter, and athlete.

Akif died on December 27, 1936. His grave, today, is located at the Martyr's Memorial at Edirnekapi, which is called the Mehmet Akif Square.

To Commemorate 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Turkey and Pakistan, souvenir sheet and first day cover themed Turkey - Pakistan Joint Stamp, containing Pakistan's National Poet Allama Muhammad IQBAL and Turkey's National Poet Mehmet Akif ERSOY, will be issued on 09-11-2017

On 70th Anniversary Pakistan and Turkey Deplomatic Relation Joint Issue, the Souvenir Sheet containing 2 stamps in souvenir sheet of Rs/-20 denomination is being issued by Pakistan Post on November 09, 2017.