Recipients of Nishan-e-Haider & Hilal-e-Kashmir (2013-8)

 

Commemorative Postage Stamps on Recipients of Nishan-E-Haider and Hilal-I-Kashmir April 2013:- Captain Karnal Sher Khan (Shaheed) Nishan-E-Haider 5 July 1999:- Captain Karnal Sher Khan was born on 1 January 1970 in Faujoon Abad, a small village of Nawan Kali district Swabi. His grandfather had a dream that Sher Khan would be an Army officer, so he used to call him ‘Karnal’ which later on became part of his name. He started his military career in 1987 as an Airman in Pakistan Air Force and served there for five years. He was commissioned in Pakistan Army in October 1994. After receiving training at Pakistan Military academy, Kakul, he was posted to 27 Sind Regiment. During his deputation to Northern Light Infantry (NLI) he volunteered for the defence of his motherland, therefore, he was posted to the Line of Control (LOC) for two years. Before ‘Kargil Operation’ he established military posts on the snow hidden peaks of Gultary, some 15,000-17,000 feet above sea level. The enemy attacked his post eight times and he inflicted severe casualties upon them every time. On 5 July 1999, the enemy launched a two pronged attack on his post and fired approximately 12,500 round of ammunition. Captain Karnal Sher Khan was not only a valiant soldier but also an intelligent commander. He created an impression of a Brigade’s presence by making use of small contingents of soldiers. He himself took an active part in the battle when enemy captured a part of his post. Despite sheer shortage of ammunition and men, Captain Karnal Sher Khan repulsed the enemy back to their territory. He was hit in the chest by a burst of enemy machine-gun and embraced ‘Shahadat’ in action. In recognition of his unbending determination and valour he was awarded Nishan-e-Haider posthumously.

Havildar Lalak Jan (Shaheed Nishan-e-Haider 7 July 1999:- Havildar Lalak Jan was born at village Hindur in Yasin Valley of Gilgit in 1967. He joined Northern Light Infantry (NLI) as a Sepoy. Lalak Jan set an example of gallantry and unwavering determination during Kargil crises. In May 1999 the enemy was preparing for a major ground attack. At that time Lalak Jan, while serving in the NLI Headquarters, volunteered to fight on the front. During the last week of June 1999 enemy launched a powerful battalion size night attack on his post. During fighting he displayed extremely brave behavior thus raising the morale of his colleagues. The action forced the enemy to retreat leaving behind heaps of carcasses. The next night, the enemy again attacked but was made ineffective. On 7 July 1999 the enemy kept on firing with artillery throughout the day and launched a three pronged attack at night on his post. He along with his colleagues withstood this attack despite sustaining severe injuries and repulsed it. Finally he embraced ‘Shahadat’ while fighting on his post. In recognition of his exemplary gallantry and passion for ‘Shahadat’ he was awarded Nishan-e-Haider posthumously.

Naik Saif Ali Janjua (Shaheed) Hilal-I-Kashmir 26 October 1948:- Number 68275 Naik Saif Ali Janjua was born in 1922 at Village Khandar, Post Office Nakyal, Kashmir. He was enrolled in the army on 18 March 1941. Naik Saif Ali Janjua was commanding an isolated platoon of 18 Azad Kashmir at Pir Kaleva (Mendhar Sector) on 26 October 1948 and was holding a vital position. The enemy put in an attack with approximately one Infantry Brigade supported by tanks, artillery and air force. This brave Non Commissioned Officer with his handful of men held the position against very heavy fire power with outstanding and dauntless courage. Despite being isolated, he was determined to fight till last man and last bullet. His personal example and personality kept the other men clining to the position till he was finally blown to pieces by a direct shell from the enemy artillery. Naik Saif Ali Shaheed was awarded Hilal-i-Kashmir (highest Azad Jammu and Kashmir operational award) posthumously on 2 March 1949. The same was equated with Nishan-e-Haider by Government of Pakistan vide gazette notification No. 1/18/D/25/91 of 30 Nov 1995.

To Commemorate the recipients of Nishan-e-Haider and Hilal-i-Kashmir, Pakistan Post is issuing Three Commemorative Postage Stamps each of Rs. 8/- denomination on April 30, 2013.

Inauguration of Pak Army Museum. (2013-7)

 

Inauguration of Pak Army Museum: Commemorative Postage Stamp April 30, 2013:- The Army Museum was established in 1961 in an improvised warehouse near General Headquarters for preserving and chronicling Pakistan Army’s history. Construction of a new museum building in the existing location on Iftikhar Janjua Road, Rawalpindi, was completed in December 1993. Over a period of time, a need was felt to renovate and refurbish the museum for depicting our military history in a yet more chronological manner while making the displays more attractive and interesting for visitors. Renovation and refurbishment activity commenced in 2010 and the project his pecently been completed.

The theme of Pakistan Army Museum is to tell the story of the Pakistan Army with reference to its historical background, birth, reconstitution and re-organization, wars, alarms and excursions and peace time services to the nation.

The museum’s first floor lobby takes the visitor through a Time Line covering important happenings and personalities of the past. Pakistan Army’s command structure is depicted through General Headquarters, field formations and paramilitary forces’ insignias, formation signs and flags. Brief histories of these institutions including raising details, original order of battle, areas of responsibility, particulars of commanders besides decorative displays relating to these personalities and their activities give an insight to visitors regarding the army’s composition.

The drawn of Independence on 14 August 1947 and the birth of Pakistan Army are also depicted in the lobby. Transformation from Headquarters Northern Command (Army in India) to General Headquarters (Pakistan Army), evacuation and management of refugees, Quaid-e-Azam’s interaction with Pakistan Army and Indo-Pak Kashmir War of October 1947 – January 1949 have been covered through map enlargements, photographs, archival documents, gazetteers, orders, instructions and table models.

Border violations, skirmishes and 1965 Indo-Pakistan War are covered in the western two galleries. Prominent depictions include Nishan-e-Haider awardees Major Muhammad Tufail Shaheed and Major Aziz Bhatti Shaheed’s actions and martyrdom. Major operations covered are of Rann of Kutch, battles of Chhamb, Lahore, Khem Karan and Sialkot including destruction of Indian armour at the battle of Chawinda, and Rajasthan Sector.

The southern gallery is devoted to the 1971 Indo-Pakistan War, Lipa Valley action, Siachin and Kargil operations. Computer generated special effects, paintings, map enlargements and photographs of Shuhda, fabrications and models give a scintillating portrayal of Nishan-e-Haider awardees Major Muhammad Akram, Captain karnal Sher Khan, Havaldar Lalak Jan, Naik Mahfooz and Sowar Muhammad Hussain actions, and Lt Col Raja Muhammad Akram Hilal-e-Jurat’s action on Bara Pind. Lipa Valley action, battle of Zafarwal, attack and capture of Chammb are also depicted here. War on the roof of the world covering heliborne operations, beating back enemy infantry attacks on Kargil peaks, downing of enemy fighter aircrafts in that treacherous terrain and battling the forces of nature while in an igloo are also included in this gallery.

War on terror, Army in aid of civil power, disaster management, nation building & United Nations Peace Keeping operations are the subject matter of the next gallery. Operations in Swat, Malakand and South Waziristan are depicted through maps, photographs, captured equipment and weapons. Pakistan Army’s contribution and actions in United Nations peace keeping operations and during major disasters such as Earthquake of 2005, floods in various parts of the country and air crashes, development of infrastructure through organizations like National Logistic Cell, Frontier Works Organization, Special Communication Organization, Fauji Foundation, Heavy Industries Taxila, Pakistan Ordancnce Factories etcetera are also reflected through photographs and displays.

A Celestial Galaxy of Gallantry Awardees is the theme of another gallery in which displays in galaxy format of portraits, citations and personal effects of Nishan-e-Haider awardees, photographs, citations and gallantry awards recipients down to Tamgha-e-Basalat have been laid out.

Two galleries are dedicated to Firearms Collection which includes displays muskets, rifles, hand guns, regulation rifles, sub machine guns, medium machine guns, heavy machine guns, light and heavy mortars, anti-tank rocket launchers and anti-tank guided missiles etcetera.

Researchers can also avail the facilities of an Archives / Research Room.

A thrilling band display takes place on selected days in the museum’s court yard.

The first floor of the museum has been dedicated to Regiments and Corps displays.

The verandahs and open spaces also have on display assorted displays of paintings, portraits, photos, sculptures, artifacts, old regimental signs and insignias and kiosks for guidance of visitors.

A chronologically laid out outdoor display of armoured fighting vehicles from the first tank of Pakistan Army till to date i.e. Ferret Scout Car to M4 Stuart to M4A1 Sherman to M48 etcetera, field and anti-aircraft guns, howitzers, engineers equipment and jeeps, some of which are captured war trophies, adorn the western and rear area of the museum.

On the occasion of inauguration of Pakistan Army Museum, Pakistan Post is issuing a commemorative postage stamp of Rs. 15/- denomination on April 30, 2013.

Men of Letters Series "Sufi Barkat Ali" (1911-1997) (2013-06)

 

Men of Letters Series: Sufi Barkat Ali (1911 – 1997) Commemorative Postage Stamp April 27, 2013:- Birth And Bay’at-e-Tareeqat:- Name of the great saint is Muhammad Barkat Ali (R.A Rehma-ulla Alain). The filial appellation is “Abu Anees” (father of Anees – his daughter).

He was born on 27th Rabi-ul-Sani 1329th HIjra Thursday, (27th April 1911) at Barhami District Ludhiana. He belongs to Dhariwal, jat family. His honourable father’s name is Hazrat Nigahi Baksh (R.A) and respected mother’s name is Hazrat Jannat Bibi (R.A). His father served in the British Army. He took his bay’at at the hands of Shah-e-Walayat, Hakeem Ameer-ul-Hasan Saharanpuri (R.A).

Childhood:- Since childhood, Abu Anees Muhammad Barkat Ali (R.A) was inclined towards virtue. By nature, he was a sober person and he loved solitude. He learnt the Holy Quran in his own village and, afterwards, went to Halwara for his formal education. He had the distinction of building the first mosque in his village.

Selection in Army:- Abu Anees Muhammad Barkat Ali (R.A) joined the army and became an officer as per the desire of his father. He got recruitment in the British army on 9th April 1930. After passing the Indian Army special education course, he was selected as a Y-Cadet. His Corps Commander Genral Veitch, was a great admirer of him because of his sterling qualities, modest nature and graceful personality. He treated him as a friend. Even amongst the common youth he was known for his graceful personality. He often quoted the example of his noble character and disposition to other officers. He treated him with respect and dignity, so much that he abstained from eating and drinking during the holy month of Ramdan in order to show respect to him.

Resignation from the Army:- If Abu Anees Muhammad Barkat Ali had stayed in the army, he would have been promoted to the rank of a genral. However, he preferred to be a FAqeer (a dervish) of Allah by sacrificing everything. To commence his journey towards the auspicious and righteous path of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W) he resigned from the army on 22nd June 1945 911 Rajab-ul-Murajjab 1364 A.H.

He discarded his army uniform, wore simple sufi tunic and declared: “I am no more an employee of the British Government but am a servant of Allah.

Three Main Objectives:- As soon as Abu Anees Muhammad Barkat Ali (R.A) was released from the army, he renounced the world and what it contained and announced to spend the rest of his life for achieving the following three holy objectives for the sake of Allah the Almighty”.

·         Constant Zikr of Allah the Almight.

·         The invitation to and the spread of Islam.

·         Selfless service of humanity.

Migration to Pakistan:- He migrated to Pakistan on the 14th of August 1947. He finally arrived at Salar Wala, where he was allotted a piece of land (in lieu of his ancestral agricultural land left in India). This piece of land was located near Salar Wala railway station. He put in nearly forty years of continuous struggle to transform this place into a heavenly complex consisting of a huge beautiful mosque, a Quran-e-Kareem Mahal, a hospital, a library and a minaret as a monument to the momory of Asahab-e-Babar.

Final Migration to Camp Dar-ul-Ehsan:- Abu Anees Muhammad Barkat Ali (R.A) migrated to camp Dar-ul-Ehsan in 1984 from his abode at Salar Wala. The place was soon transformed into something that looked like a land of peace. Quran Kareem mahal, offices of Dar-ul-Ehsan library, almshouse (Langar) and medical centre were constructed rapidly. He named this place as “Almustafeez Dar-ul-Ehsan” and “Camp Dar-ul-Ehsan”. He chose to stay here for the rest of his life and after demise.

Zikr-e-Ellahi and Preaching of Islam:- Thousands of his followers are spreading the light of Islam throughout the world. These volunteers are organized into preaching teams / centers. Around six hundred preaching centers have been established in various cities and towns for Zikr-e-liahi and preaching of Islam. Sufi Barkat Ali wrote letters to some of the non-Muslims word leaders inviting them to the fold of Islam. By doing so he revived the Sunnah of Holy Profit (S.A.W).

Service of Humanity:- Hazrat Abu Anees Muhammad Barkat Ali (R.A) did full justice with service of humanity besides remembrance of Allah and invitation to and spread of Islam. He gave monthly stipends to the disabled, the deprived, widows, and the poor and needy students. He made special arrangements for the marriage of poor girls. He took special care of prisoners and lepers; and distributed bedding, flour and clothes among the sick and needy at their doorsteps. In addition to these services, he set a peerless example of selfless service to the humanity through the platform of Dar-ul-Hikmat.

The first free ey camp was organized in 1976 and the practice has continued ever since without a break. Unit March 2013, seventy four free eye camps had been organized. 417334 patients had their vision restored through operations. 656952 patients were treated without surgery and 1732 born-blinds also regained vision with his prayers and attention.

Quran-e-Karim Mahal:- His devotion to Allah and his Holy Prophet (S.A.W) is the splendid edifice in the shape of elegant and graceful buildings of Quran-e-Karim Mahal. Old, worn out and musty copies of the Holy Quran are re-bound and preserved in a beautiful manner in the Quran Mahal. Preservation of some very rare and precious handwritten copies are a true and everlasting manifestation of his love for the Holy Quran.

Writings and Compilations:- He was a treasure of knowledge and wisdom. His book “Kitab-ul-Amal bil Sunnah” is a beautiful compilation of authentic “Ahadees”. This voluminous compilation has a high standard of calligraphy and printing. When this book was presented to some of the international leaders on the occasion of the Islamic Summit Conference, held in Pakistan in 1974, they expressed their admiration for its high literary value and elegant printing. Learned intellectuals and research scholars are benefiting from this book available in the libraries the world wide.

He wrote hundreds of books which are a precious treasure of knowledge, wisdom and interpretation of Islamic Law. These books are distributed worldwide free of charge. His publications indlude:

·         Makshoofat Manazal-e-Ehsan, 5 volumes

·         Kitab-ul-Amal Bis-Sunnah, 5 volumes

·         Asma-un-Nabi-ul-Kareem, 6 volumes

·         Maqalat-e-Hikmat 30 volumes

·         Zikr-e-Elahi

·         Yusaloona-alan-Nabi

·         Altobato Wal Astaghfar

·         Al-Sammat, 1 volume

·         Jism-ul-wojood Al Barkat Ali

Love for Pakistan:- Sufi Barkat Ali was an ardent follower of Allama Iqbal and a great lover of Pakistan. Always hopeful for the prosperity of Pakistan he had prognosticated great achievement for Pakistan.

Demise and Burial:- No doubt he was deeply immersed in the remembrance of Allah day and night. In this state of meditation, remembrance and gratitude his time to depart from this mortal world to the eternal world came on the 16th of Ramdhan Ul Mubarik 1417 (26 January 1997) at the time of Zuhar prayers. “Inna Lillah-e-eWa Inna IIaihi Rajioon” (Undoubtedly, we are sent by Allah and have to return to him).

He was buried in the hut of Sabir Sahib (R.A) according to his will. The atmosphere of his mausoleum is illuminated with the auspiciousness of Zikr-e-IIahi and immersed in the fragrance of flowers of Darood-o-Salam (Salutations to the Holy Prophet S.A.W) all the time. The doors of the Darbar of this Faqir are open to all and sundry.

Urs Mubarak:- The Urs Mubarak of Hadrat Abu Anees Sufi Muhammad Barkat Ali Al-Ludhianwi (QSA) is held every year on the 16th of Ramdan-ul-Mubarak at Camp Dar-ul-Ehsan Chak 242 RB (Faisalabad, Pakistan) with attendance in the tens of thousands.

On Men of Letters Sufi Barkat Ali (1911 – 1997), Pakistan Post is issuing a commemorative postage stamp of Rs. 8/- denomination on April 27, 2013.

75th Death Anniversary of Dr. Allama Muhammad Iqbal.(2013-5)

 

75Th Death Anniversary of Allama Muhammad Iqbal Commemorative Postage Stamp April 21, 2013:- Allama Sir Muhammad Iqbal was a poet, philosopher, lawyer and politician born in Sialkot on 9th November 1877. His poetry in urdu, Arabic and Persian is considered to be among the greatest of the modern era and his vision of an independent state for the Muslims of British India was to inspire the creation of Pakistan. He is commonly referred to as Allama Iqbaly. One of the most prominent leaders of the All India Muslim League, Iqbal encouraged the creation of a “state in northwestern India for Indian Muslims” in his 1930 presidential address. Iqbal encouraged and worked closely with Muhammad Ali Jinnah and he is known as Muffakir-e-Pakistan (“The Thinker of Pakistan”), Shair-e-Mashriq (“The Poet of the East”), and Hakeem-ul-Ummat (“The Sage of Ummah”). He is officially recognized as the “national poet” in Pakistan.

Iqbal was educated initially by tutors in languages and writing, history, poetry and religion. His potential as a poet and writer was recognized by one of this tutors, Syed Mir Hassan, and Iqbal would continue to study under him at the Scotch Mission College in Sialkot. He studied at Murray College Sialkot.

Iqbal entered the Government College Lahore where he studied philosophy, English literature and Arabic and obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree. He won the gold medal for topping his examination in Philosophy. While studying in his Masters’ Degree Progrem, Iqbal came under the Wing of Sir Thomas Arnold, a scholar of Islam and modern philosophy at the college. Arnold exposed the young man to the Western culture and ideas, and served as a bridge for Iqbal between the ideas of East and West. Iqbal was appointed to a readership in Arabic at the Oriental College, Lahore. He published his first book in Urdu “The Knowledge of Econimocs” in 1903 and the patriotic song, Tarana-e-Hind (Song of India) in 1905.

He obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Trinity College at Cambridge in 1907, while simultanewusly studying law at Lincoln’s Inn, from where he qualified as a barrister at Law in 1908. Togetherr with two other politicians, Syed Hassan Bilgrami and Syed Ameer Ali, Iqbal sat on the subcommittee which drafted the Constitution of the Muslim League. In 1907, Iqbal traveled to Germany to pursue his Doctorate from the Faculty of Philosophy of the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitat at Munich. Working under the supervision of Friedrich Hommel, Iqbal published a thesis titled: “The Development of Metaphysics in Persia”.

Upon his return to India in 1908, Iqbal took up Assistant Professorship at the Government College Lahore, but for financial reasons he relinquished it within a year to practice law. Iqbal’s poetic works are written mostly in Persian.

Among his 12,000 verses of poems, about 7,000 verses are in Persian. In 1915, he published his first collection of poetry, the Asrar-e-Khudi (Secrets of the Self) in Persian.

Iqbal’s 1924 publication, the Payam-e-Mashriq (The Message of the East) is closely connected to the West-Ostlicher Diwan by the famous German poet Goethe. In his first visit to Afghanistan, he presented his book “Payam-e-Mashreq” to King Amanullah Khan in which he admired the liberal movements of Afghanistan against the British Empire.

The Zabur-e-Ajam (Persian Psalms), published in 1927, includes the poems Gulshan-e-Raz-e-Jadeed (Garden of New Sectets) and Bandagi Nama (Book of Slavery).

Iqabal’s 1932 work, the Javed Nama is named after and in a manner addressed to his son, who is featured in the poems, and follows the examples of the works of Ibn Arabi and Dante’s “The Divine Comedy”, through mystical and exaggerated depiction across time.

Iqbal’s first work published in Urdu, the Bang-e-Dara in 1924, was a collection of poetry written by him in three distinct phases of his life. Published in 1935, the Bal-e-Jibril is considered by many critics as the finest of Iqbal’s Urdu Poetry, and was inspired by his visit to Spain, where he visited the monuments and legacy of the kingdom of the Moors. It consists of ghazals, poems,quatrains, epigrams and carries a strong sense of religious passion.

Iqbal’s final work was the Armughan-e-Hijaz published posthumously in 1938. The first part contains quatrains in Persian, and the second part contains some poems and epigrams in Urdu.

Iqbal’s second book in English, the Reconstruction of Religious Thought in Islam, is a collection of his six lectures which he delivered at Madras, Hyderabad and Aligarh; first published as a collection in Lahore, in 1930. Sir Muhammad Iqbal was elected President of the Muslim League in 1930 at its session in Allahabad, in the United Provinces (UP) as well as for the session in Lahore in 1932. In his presidential address on December 29, 1930, Iqbal outlined a vision of an independent state for Muslim-majority provinces in northwestern India.

He thus became the first politician to articulate that Muslims are a distinct nation and thus deserve political independence from other regions and communities of India.

Iqbal was of the view that only Muhammad Ali Jinnah was a political leader, capable of preserving Muslim unity and fulfilling the League’s objectives on Muslim political empowerment. Iqbal was an influential force on convincing Jinnah to end his self-imposed exile in London, return to India and take charge of the League with a new agenda – the establishment of Pakistan.

Speaking about the political future of Muslims in India, Iqbal said: “There is only one way out. Muslims should strengthen Jinnah’s hands. They should join the Muslim League. Indian question, as is now being solved, can be countered by our united front against both the Hindus and the English”.

Iqbal is commemorated widely in Pakistan, where he is regarded as the ideological founder of the state. His birthday November, 9 is annually commemorated in Pakistan as Iqbal Day and is a national holiday.

In 1933, after returning from a trip to Spain and Afghanistan, Iqbal’s health deteriorated. He spent his final years working to establish the Idara Dar-ul-Islam. Iqbal ceased practicing law in 1934 and he was granted pension by the Nawab of Bhopal. After suffering for months from a series of protracted illnesses, Iqbal died in Lahore on 21st April 1938. His tomb is located in the space between the entrance of the Badshahi Mosque and the Lahore Fort, Lahore.

To commemorate 75th Death Anniversary of Allama Muhammad Iqbal Pakistan Post is issuing a commemorative postage stamp of Rs. 15/- denomination on April 21, 2013.

100 YEARS THE CENTENARY OF KINNAIRD COLLEGE FOR WOMEN. (2013-4)

The Centenary of Kinnaird College For Women (1913 – 2013) Commemorative Postage Stamp April 11, 2013:- This year Kinnaird College for Women completes its hundred years of providing education and empowering women.

The name Kinnaird comes from a Scottish titled family that helped and supported the college in its initial years. Starting with just six students in 1913, Kinnaird grew into one of the most prestigious women’s colleges in an area which was to become Pakistan. A hundred years later Kinnaird boasts of more than 4200 students enrolled in its Intermediate, Undergraduate and Postgraduate programs.

Kinnaird has glorious history of achievements towards educating women. Since its inception in 1913, it has produced countless graduates that have made major contributions in all walks of life and made its alma mater proud. Today Kinnaird stands tall among women colleges of Pakistan.

At the heart of the college is the civic and academic goal to cultivate successive generations of women leaders who possess the skills and resources to address the challenges of social and economic advancement of their communities.

Kinnaird College for Women seeks to empower its students by opening doors to newer opportunities. It seeks to graduate students who will pursue paths as skilled and innovative individuals, professionals, service-oriented leaders and promoters of tolerance and understanding throughout the world.

As Kinnaird celebrates its centennial year, it reaffirms its vision with an ever enlarging stance to educate and empower women of tomorrow.

On the Centenary of Kinnaird College for Women Lahore, a commemorative postage stamp of Rs. 15/- denomination is being issued by Pakistan Post on April 11, 2013.