4th Independence Anniversary August 14, 1951

Although issued on Independence Day this set of stamps was declared as 'definitive. Country's renowned artist A. R. Chughtai designed the stamps in 2 1/2a, 3a, 3 1/2a, 4a, 6a, 8a, l0a and 12a values. The 2 1/2a (crimson) and 3 1/2a (blue) are in same design showing Vase and Plate surrounded by decorated frame. Value is printed in square tablets on sides of the base, where 'Pakistan Postage' is also printed linking the tablets. "Pakistan" and "Postage" in Urdu are printed at upper sides, diagonally. Saracenic leaf pattern is selected for 4a and 6a stamps in green and orange. "Pakistan/ Postage" is printed in between value tablets, and 'Pakistan' in Urdu at the centre of a crescent placed at the middle of the leaf pattern.

Two values intended for 'airmail' are 3a red and 12a slate in vertical shape, showing Hour Glass and symbolic aeroplane, crescent & star is also seen behind the plane. Elements are placed differently in these two values; country name in English is at the top panel and in Urdu, at bottom left, in decorated triangle. Face value is engraved at upper corners, in Urdu and English.

Arch and Lamp is the subject of next two denominations; 8a sepia and l0a purple. Horizontal stamps are decorated with floral design all around and two columns on either side, carrying tall trees. Value tablets are engraved at sides.

Pakistan Painting Postcard - Girls Sitting Together

Hi Pals!
Here's just another painting postcard from Pakistan to share with you.

I really like the smile on the face of the girl in pink dress. With the backdrop of Malala Yousafzai fame, this postcard becomes a real special one.
Just in case you do not know Malala Yousafzai's story, here's a re-cap.
Malala Yousafzai was a small girl living in Swat Valley which was under occupation of Taliban terrorists some years ago. WhileTalibans opposed girls' education, Malala raised her voice as a 9-year old and started writing her online diary at BBC Urdu Website, by the nick name of Gul Makai.

Malala Yousafzai

After a long and strenuous fight, Pakistan Army cleared Swat Valleyfrom terrorist elements and life came back to normal. Malala Yousafzai became a national symbol of girl education and Pakistan'sthen Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani re-named Pakistan Peace Award as Malala Peace Award.

In Oct 2012, some Taliban miscreants stopped Malala's school van and fired at them from point blank ranges. Malala suffered a head injury along with some of her friends too. She remained under-treatment in Pakistan and then in England.

Lately Malala Yousafzai was invited by United Nations to address the Youth General Assembly on the eve of her 16th birthday.United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan and the Ex-British PM Gordon Brown were also there to wish her a happy birthday.

Malala Yousafzai has definitely become a symbol of struggle against the oppressors and a source of inspiration for everyone around the globe.

Although the above postcard does not have any direct link withMalala's story but still these cute girls and their smiles make me think of them as small Malalas.

May God bless them with endless smiles and very happy lives. Amen!

Pakistan Postcard Altit Fort, Hunza, Gilgit Baltistan

Pakistan Postcard Badshahi Mosque, Lahore, Punjab

Pakistan Earth Day Stamp From The Pages Of History

To match the theme of Sunday Stamps # 119 on Viridian's blog, I decided to find something on the same topic.
I wondered if Pakistan ever issued a stamp on Earth Day, so I thought to run a search in the pages of history and found this beautiful stamp issued by Pakistan Post on Earth Day in 1995.

 The stamp shows snowy mountains, vast deserts, trees and sea, which can all be seen in the beautiful Pakistan. I sometimes say that Pakistan is the ONLY country in the World whose surface varies from 0 feet above sea level to 28029 feet above sea level (K-2: 2nd Highest Peak in the World).
What a diverse environment along the length of Pakistan!!!

 I hope that you all will like it and share with friends too! Do feel free to share with friends on Facebook or Google+ or anywhere else to spread the word :)
Keep Smiling and Keep Shining!

A Piece Of Pakistan's Philately For Viridian's Sunday Stamps # 117

While thinking about something to match the today's theme for Sunday Stamps at Viridian's Postcard Blog, which is "minerals, rocks, geology, environment" I immediately thought of a couple of recent postage stamps issued by Pakistan Post regarding these themes.
The first issue is related to "minerals, rocks, geology" and features a set of 4 stamps showing the precious stones found in Pakistan. These 4 stamps include the following rocks:-

• Emerald
• Ruby
• Sapphire 
• Peridot

 The second set of stamps issued by Pakistan Post shows 4 postage stamps commemorating "40th Anniversary of United Nations Environment Programme". The 4 stamps show the following:-

• Lake Saif-ul-Muluk in Kaghan Valley which is so beautiful that Fairies visit there on Full-Moon Nights to take a bath - According to a local folk tale. You can read see some more photos/ read more details at A Lake which Fascinates Fairies (Top Left)
• Polo Match on the World's highest polo ground - Shandur, Gilgit Baltistan  - More photos can be seen @ Shandur Polo Festival at World's Highest Polo Ground (Top Right)

• Khyber Gate - the gateway to the mountainous Khyber Pass connecting Pakistan and Afghanistan (Bottom Right)

 

 Hope to see your comments regarding this post and these amazing stamps too!
Feel free to speak your heart out!!! ;-)

Slovenia - An Amazing Cover From The Beautiful European Country

After a long time, when I decided to share a new cover from my collection, I decided to share a real-posted cover from a new country, therefore I selected this cute cover from Slovenia or Slovenija, as they spell it on the stamps.
The envelope is a made up of beautiful dull blue-coloured paper and the stamps really emboss on dull blue background.

 The cover was sent to me by Karmen from Slovenia alongwith a couple of postcards and coins too.

 The cover is posted with 3 stamps on the face.

• The left-most Slovenian souvenir sheet featuring a flower was issued in 2009 and shows a Ranunculus Arvensis.

• The stamp on the right side was also issued in 2009 at the moment of "World Cup Athletes, Berlin". The stamp shows various athletes in action in different coloured silhouettes. It is really a very beautiful and coloured stamp and I absolutely love it.

You can leave your comments below!