Two Decades of Extended Cooperation Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) November 28, 2013 (2013-23)

The year 2013 marks the two decades of ECO's expansion from a three-member regional forum to an expanded regional grouping of ten countries. This happy family of key contiguous countries of our region is bound together by many a commonality. The shared ties of faith and culture, history and geography, also converging interests in diverse fields lay at the root of the decision made two decades ago to create this key regional organization.

ECO has grown in strength and substance over the past two decades. Today, it encompasses key areas of trade and transport, industry and agriculture, energy and communication as well as education and banking. Public awareness about its activitiesplus the visibility and uplifting of the image of the organization is highly crucial for its continued success. Designing of a unifiedstamp by all the ECO Members for the commemoration of 2 decades of cooperation would enhance the realization of those objectives.

To commemorate Two Decades of Extended Cooperation of ECO, Pakistan Post is issuing a Commemorative Postage Stamp of Rs.25/- denomination, on November 28, 2013.

Men of Letters Series Jon Elia (1931-2002) November 8, 2013 (2013-22)

Jon Elia was a renowned Pakistani Urdu poet and a notable philosopher and scholar. He was born on December 14, 1931 in Amroha, India. His father's name was Shafiq Hasan Elia who was a literary person, astrologer and scholar of his time. Jon Elia was the younger brother of famous journalist and literary figure Rais Amrohvi and the world fame philosopher, Syed Muhammad Taqi. Jon Elia migrated to Pakistan in 1957, and settled in Karachi.

During his teen age, Jon Elia used to do dramatic presentations of the early Muslim period. According to him, his early poetry reflected the dialogue nature of stage drama. In the preface of his first collection of poetry "Shayad", he revealed that he was quite fond of theatre in his teen age. There was a small drama club in Amroha, named Bazm-i-Haq, where stage plays were organized regularly based on Islamic history. Jon Elia got extremely involved in such plays. He tried to establish his own drama club and scripted and stage his own play for it. Jon wrote many socialistic poems in those days, and acknowledged this fact later that it was the influence of drama that the dialogue and conversational element became his style in his poetry.

He belonged to an intellectual family where the discussions on poetry. logic, philosophy, history and religion were like a passion. This literary environment of his home and his family traditions were quite conducive to ignite a spark of poetry in him. Though Jon proved to be a brilliant poet of Urdu Ghazal but he also proved his mettle in Nazm, Hamd, Natt, Noha, Marsia, Qaseeda, Qawali, Shehr-e-Ashob, etc.

Jon Elia had a thorough command over language and used it artistically. His diction is wrapped in the classical tradition. He became renowned as a distinguished Urdu poet thanks to his very different and unmatched style. He had a thorough grasp over Urdu, Persian, Arabic, Sanskrit and Hebrew. His Knowledge of philosophy, logic, Islamic history, the Muslim Sufi tradition, and western literature was vast which gave a distinguished color and a touch of beauty to his poetry.

Jon Elia invented many new metrical schemes in his poetry. He also produced hundreds of unusual phrases. He used well-rhymed Nazms and free-verse poems. He had a remarkable command over the form and content. In Jon Elia's poetry one can see superb synthesis of the traditional and the modern verse. In his poetry, he showed excellent grip over writing verses in "sehl-e-mumtana".

He was a romantic poet with a vision. He always tried to take along laymen in his literary pursuits.

He wrote excellent poems reflecting his ideological views though it is unfortunate that his poems were overshadowed by his ghazals. The existential foundations of his poetry slowly dragged him towards nihilism, which can be seen in his poems like "Aziyyat kee yaddasht", "Burj-i-Babul", "Saza", "Shehr Aashob" etc.

In Mushairas (poetic gatherings) he almost always dominated the other poets and kept on enthralling the audience. In such gatherings, he sometimes used to make a small introductory speech before the start of his poetry which always energized the listeners, even during the mundane sessions. He had his own peculiar style to recite poetry in mushairas which became so popular that many young poets tried to copy it.

Numerous young poets looked at him for guidance and inspiration and a large number of writers and poets were benefitted from him. He had become an icon for many even during his life time.

Though he worte abundantly, but he had no inclination to publish his work. His first poetry collection" Shayad" was published in 1991, when he was almost sixty years old. His poetry in " Shayad sparkled his name in the world of Urdu poetry. His preface of this book is a beautiful example of his refined Urdu prose which also throws enough light on the culture he lived in and his frame of mind.

"Ya'ani" was the second collection of his poetry published in 2003 after his death. After this, one of his close friend Khalid Ansari, compiled and published three of his collections. "Gumaan" in 2004. "Lekin" in 2006 and "Gaya" in 2008.

Jon Elia was also remained active in translation, editing and other activities.

His translation of various Mautazalite treatises, a book on Hasan Bin Sabah, and various writing on the Ismaili sect in Islam can be regarded as his prominent contributions to urdu literature.

He also used to edit Urdu literary magazine "Insha". Jon Elia was married to Zahida Hina, a famous columnist. He had two daughters and a son from her. Jon and Zahida were divorced in the mid-1980s.

Throughout of his life, Jon remained a man of principles. He was courageous enough to raise his voice of protest and dissent whenever he saw something happening against his conscience.

He was a chronic TB patient since his mid-50s and but he managed to survive thanks to sheer will power. Jon died after a prolonged illness on 8 November 2002 in Karachi.

On Men of Letters Series Jon Elia, Pakistan Post is issuing a commemorative postage stamp of Rs.8/-denomination on November 8, 2013.

Music Maestros Princess-e-Service of Noor Jahan (1926-2000) September 21, 2013 (2013-21)

Noor Jahan (Real name Allah Wasai) was born on September 21, 1926 in a Muslim family in Kasur.

She was an illustrious and legendary singer and actress who started her career from the film industry of British India and then continued it in Pakistan. She became extremely famous as one of the greatest singers of her time in South Asia and was given the title of Malika-e-Tarannum i.e. the queen of melodies.

She was born in a Punjabi family of musicians. Though her parents wanted to see her excelled as singer but she was more inclined towards acting in films and performed in the earliest Pakistani films. She sung almost 10,000 songs in Urdu, Hindi, Punjabi and Sindhi languages. Along with Ahmed Rushdi, she holds the highest record of film songs in the history of Pakistani cinema. She became the first ever female Pakistani film director.

Noor Jahan started to sing at the age of five or six years and showed her interest in various styles, including traditional folk and popular theatre. Her mother sent her to receive early training in classical singing under. At the age of nine, she drew the attention of Punjabi musician Ghulam Ahmed Chishti who composed some ghazals, naats and folk songs for her to perform. She pursued a career in singing in Lahore.

Jahan's family moved to Calcutta for the sake of movie career for her sisters. There, renowned singer Mukhtar Begum recommended them to various producers and her husband, Agha Hashar Kashmiri, who owned a theatre. It was here that she received the stage name Baby Noor Jahan.

She acted in various successful movies including "Pind di Kuri", "Missar Ka Sitara", "Heer-Sayyal", "Khandaan", "Duhai", "Bari Maa" and "Mirza Sahibaan".

In 1945, she sung a Qawwali which was the first ever Qawwali recorded in female voices in South Asian films.

After the creation of Pakistan in 1947, Jahan and husband Shawkat Rizvi decided to move to Pakistan and settled in Karachi.

Noor Jahan starred in her first film in Pakistan, "Chan wey" in 1951. Shaukat and Noor Jahan directed this film together making Noor Jahan Pakistan's first female director.

In 1953-54, Jahan and Rizvi were divorced and she married an actor, Ejaz Durrani.

Noor Jahan give up action and her penultmate film as an actress/singer was "Mirza Ghalib" (1961). This decision enhanced her stature as singer. She last acted in film "Baaji" in 1963.

Noor Jahan left action in 1963 after a career of 33 years. She made 14 films in Pakistan, ten in Urdu, four in Punjabi.

After renouncing her acting career, she started playback singing. She sang a large number of duets with Ahmed Rushdi, Mehdi Hassan, Masood Rana, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Mujeeb Aalam.

She was an equally proficient ghazal singer. With rigorous training in classical music, Noor Jahan employed the essential features necessary to present the ghazal in an exceptional manner. Her popularity was further boosted with her patriotic songs during the 1965 war between Pakistan and India.

She died on December 23, 2000 at the age of 74.

On Music Maestros- Malika-e-Tarannum Noor Jahan, Pakistan Post is issuing a commemorative postage stamp of Rs.8/-denomination on September 21, 2013.

International Breast Cancer Awareness (Pinktober) October 14th, 2025 (2025-21)

Breast Cancer Awareness and Control:- Breast cancer has become one of the most pressing public health challenges in Pakistan. Current statistics highlight the scale of the problem: one out of every nine women in Pakistan is at risk of developing breast cancer; nearly 90,000 new cases are diagnosed each year; and approximately 40,000 women lose their lives annually. With the highest incidence rate across Asia, Pakistan carries an alarming disease burden, where almost 70% of patients reach hospitals at stage III, when survival chances are minimal.

Scientific evidence underscores that if breast cancer is detected at an early stage, survival rates can reach up to 90%. This makes prevention, awareness, and early detection the most powerful tools available to counter the crisis. Recognizing this, the Government of Pakistan has progressively aligned its health policies to incorporate breast cancer as a national priority.

Government's Recognition and Policy Integration:- Over the past two decades, sustained advocacy and community awareness have brought breast cancer out of the shadows of taboo into the national health agenda. This transition is significant, as it reflects a policy shift where breast cancer is no longer treated merely as a private medical concern, but as a systemic challenge requiring government-led solutions.

The Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, in consultation with provincial health departments, has taken steps to integrate cancer prevention and treatment into the broader primary and secondary healthcare framework. Initiatives such as mobile screening units, early detection awareness campaigns, and inclusion of breast health in women's primary healthcare consultations mark the beginning of a more structured national response.

1. Strategic Interventions

Ø  National Screening and Early Detection Expansion of mammography and diagnostic services through public hospitals.

Ø  Integration of breast examination and awareness into Lady Health Worker (LHW) programmes to ensure outreach to rural and underserved communities.

Ø  Establishment of clear referral pathways from primary to tertiary healthcare facilities.

2. Awareness Campaigns

Ø  Launch of sustained, nationwide public awareness drives highlighting the importance of self-examination and early medical consultation.

Ø  Leveraging national media platforms, including radio, television, and digital media, to ensure consistent messaging across all provinces and regions.

Ø  Engagement of schools, universities, and workplaces to instill awareness in younger demographics, thereby creating generational change in health-seeking behaviors.

3. Capacity Building

Ø  Training of doctors, nurses, and paramedics in specialized oncology care, counselling, and palliative support.

Ø  Development of specialized units in teaching hospitals dedicated to breast health and oncology.

Ø  Inclusion of mental health support and counselling services within treatment protocols to address the emotional impact on patients and families.

4. Infrastructure Development

Ø  Strengthening oncology departments in tertiary care hospitals across provinces.

Ø  Establishment of dedicated breast cancer facilities in regional hubs to reduce travel and financial burden on patients.

Ø  Long-term plans to build specialized centers of excellence in collaboration with medical universities and research institutions.

Role of Civil Society:- While government policy remains the backbone of national response, civil society initiatives have played a valuable supporting role. Organizations such as Pink Ribbon have, over the years, contributed to breaking the silence surrounding breast cancer, raising awareness, and facilitating patient support programmes. Their work complements state initiatives and underscores the importance of consistent advocacy in sustaining national attention on this issue.

Annual Observance and Awareness Mobilization:- The observance of October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month (Pinktober) provides an opportunity to mobilize all stakeholders around a unified national campaign. Under government leadership, Pinktober is increasingly being recognized as a national health observance, ensuring visibility at the highest levels of state. Official endorsements, public service messaging, and national-level events contribute to making breast cancer awareness part of public discourse.

This observance also reinforces the need for year-round action. Awareness must not be limited to one month in the calendar; instead, Pinktober should act as a launchpad for continuous, sustainable interventions across all provinces and communities.

Challenges and Way Forward:- Despite progress, Pakistan continues to face challenges:

Ø  Late Detection: A large majority of women report symptoms at advanced stages due to stigma, lack of knowledge, or poor access to healthcare.

Ø  Geographic Disparities: Rural populations remain underserved, with screening and diagnostic services concentrated in urban centers.

Ø  Financial Barriers: High costs of treatment make it inaccessible to lower-income groups, necessitating expansion of free or subsidized care.

Ø  Cultural Barriers: Social taboos and misconceptions about breast health continue to discourage open conversations and timely medical intervention.

To address these, a stronger, government-led national response is required. The way forward should emphasize:

Ø  Institutionalizing breast cancer screening and awareness in all public health facilities.

Ø  Ensuring budgetary allocations within federal and provincial health strategies dedicated specifically to breast cancer control.

Ø  Expanding public-sector treatment facilities with subsidized or free services for low-income patients.

Ø  Engaging educational institutions for youth-focused awareness programmes.

Ø  Establishing a robust data collection and cancer registry system to guide evidence-based policymaking.

Conclusion:- Breast cancer is both preventable and treatable, provided it is addressed with urgency and coordinated policy. Pakistan has made significant strides in acknowledging it as a national priority, but the challenge requires sustained action. Government leadership, institutional support, and continuous awareness are, the pillars upon which success depends.

The focus must remain clear: every woman in Pakistan deserves access to knowledge, screening, and treatment that can save her life. By placing breast cancer firmly within the national health agenda and ensuring implementation of structured interventions, Pakistan can move toward reducing mortality, improving survival rates, and ultimately transforming breast cancer from a fatal disease into a manageable health condition.

On International Breast Cancer Awareness Month (#Pinktober), Pakistan Post is issuing the Commemorative Postage Stamp and Souvenir Sheet of denomination Rs. 30/-on October 14th, 2025.

World Dyslexia Awareness Day. October 8th, 2025 (2025-20)

Dyslexia is a learning disability in reading affecting kids and adults alike. People with Dyslexia have trouble reading at a good pace and without mistakes. They may also have a hard time with reading comprehension, spelling, writing and at times sequential memory. It is estimated that Dyslexia is estimated to have a prevalence of 5% to 17% among school-age children. Children with Dyslexia have difficulty in learning to read as they mix letters and remember spellings. Dyslexia is caused by differences in the way the brain processes language, making it harder to connect letters with sounds and recognize words automatically. It does not result from vision or hearing problems. Also, it is not due to mental retardation, brain damage, or a lack of intelligence. It has to be understood that Dyslexia is not a mental disorder and has nothing to do with the IQ of the individual.

In 1877, German neurologist Adolf Kussmaul was the first to identify a phenomenon which he named Wortblindheit (word-blindness). 10 years later, Rudolf Berlin, a German ophthalmologist coined the term "Dyslexia" which has Greek roots for "difficulty with words". Over the years, countless studies have researched Dyslexia, concluding it is not a disability at all, but those with it think differently. In 2002, MRIs done by professionals at Yale University found that the brains of people with Dyslexia worked differently as compared to ordinary people. Many individuals with Dyslexia are also highly creative and great at thinking outside the box.

It is important to remember that diagnosis of Dyslexia is just not the end of the academic road of an individual. Every Dyslexic individual sees and learns about the world from a different perspective. Historians feel it's possible that many major figures from the past had learning and thinking differences. However, it's hard to know for sure about people who lived 100 years ago or more as there aren't enough records. But here are some accomplished individuals who made a big impact on history, from centuries past to more recent times. They overcame challenges and may inspire our children to do the same.

Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519). As an artist, inventor, scientist, engineer, and writer, Leonardo da Vinci had many talents. He also had interesting habits, like writing backward, spelling strangely, and not following through on projects. Today, we understand that these traits can all be characteristics of Dyslexia and other learning and thinking differences. Whether or not he had Dyslexia, Leonardo used his strengths to earn a place as one of history's greatest geniuses.

Alexander Graham Bell (1847-1922). Bell reinvented the field of communications by creating the first telephone. But years earlier, he struggled in school. Even though he was gifted at problem solving, it's thought that he had trouble reading and writing, possibly as a result of Dyslexia. He was eventually homeschooled by his mother. With her help, Bell learned to manage his challenges and he went on to change the world.

Thomas Edison (1847-1931). School didn't come easily for Edison, either. He was considered "difficult". Historians believe he may have had Dyslexia. But his appetite for knowledge was huge. He developed effective ways to study and learn on his own. As a result, Edison's unique way of tackling problems helped him make history. He shaped modern life by inventing the phonograph, the motion picture camera, and the light bulb.

Albert Einstein (1879-1955). Einstein was well known for his brilliance in math and physics but he also struggled with language difficulties, leading some people to suggest he may have had Dyslexia. He had extremely delayed speech and didn't speak fluently until he was 6 years old. Einstein also had problems getting his thoughts down, retrieving language and reading out loud, all characteristic signs of Dyslexia. Nobel laureate of 1921 in physics, his contributions in theoretical Physics demonstrated a unique and novel approach to problem solving which is one of the strengths associated with Dyslexia.

Pablo Picasso (1881-1973). According to many accounts, the world-famous artist may have had Dyslexia. He expressed feelings that many kids who learn and think differently have. "Don't think I didn't try (to learn at school)," he said. "I tried hard. I would start but immediately be lost." Fortunately, his father, an art teacher, encouraged him to develop his artistic talents. His unique vision of the world came through in his powerful works of art. The rest is art history.

Muhammad Ali (1942-2016). One of the greatest boxers of all time, Muhammad Ali struggled with Dyslexia. He has said he could barely read his high school textbooks. Nonetheless, he managed to graduate. He became an Olympic gold medallist at the age of 18 and he was world heavyweight boxing champion at 22. He is also remembered today for having strong principles. He refused to fight in the Vietnam War, even though this damaged his sports career.

Design Elements

Ø  All the main inscriptions on the stamp have been done using red colour as red is accepted as the colour associated to Dyslexia awareness. The dreaded red, a colour many kids have seen throughout their education has been re-appropriated. The red pen used to highlight mistakes is all too familiar for Dyslexics around the world. Dyslexia Associations have chosen this colour to take back its meaning and globally promote Dyslexia awareness.

Ø  Scrambled text reading "You may find this hard to read. Imagine if everything you read looked like this" and mirror imaged E in Dyslexia on the stamp stimulates the experience of reading with Dyslexia.

Ø  PAKISTAN (in English) has been inscribed in the font created by Daniel Britton, a graphic designer who himself is a Dyslexic. His created typeface removes parts of the alphabets to illustrate the difficulties faced in reading by Dyslexics by breaking down the reading time of a non-dyslexic down to the speed of a Dyslexic by removing around 40% of each letter. This slows down the user's reading experience to the speed of a Dyslexic, thus recreating the frustration and embarrassment of everyday reading of a Dyslexic.

Ø  Dyslexia symbol has been used on the labels and on the postmark for this issue. Formed with the letters pq bd, the symbol is inspired by Dyslexics and how they process information differently in ways that provide advantages in reasoning and understanding relationships.

Ø  The unorthodox First Day Cover is crafted by Youshay, a diagnosed 12-year-old Dyslexic to raise awareness about the topic.

On the occasion of World Dyslexia Awareness Day on 8th October 2025, Pakistan Post is issuing a Commemorative Postage Stamp and a Souvenir Sheet valued at Rs. 30/- denomination each. It is pertinent to mention here that Pakistan Post is the first postal organization in the World to issue a stamp on Dyslexia Awareness Day.