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The Postage stamps of Pakistan are those postage stamps issued since Pakistan's independence in 1947. Pakistan Post has issued more than 600 sets and singles totalling more than 1300 stamps. Immediately after partition, the new government was preoccupied with setting up the government so British Indian stamps continued in use without an overprint as was the practice in other countries.

The history of postage stamps in the region dates back to 1852, when Sir Bartle Frere of the British East India Company became the Chief Commissioner of Sind in 1851 and in 1852, following the British example set by Rowland Hill, Frere improved upon the postal system of Sindh by introducing a cheap and uniform rate for postage, independent of distance travelled and initiated the production of the Scinde Dawks stamps; the forerunners of the adhesive stamps used throughout India, Burma, the Straits Settlements and other areas controlled by the British East India Company. Their usage ceased with the introduction of official British Indian stamps in 1854.

Postage Stamps

Nasik Overprints

On October 1, 1947, the government released its first stamps, being from the 1940s British India series of King George VI stamps overprinted with the word Pakistan. Known as the Nasik Overprints, after the place near Mumbai, India, where they were overprinted, this set consists of 19 stamps.

These Nasik overprints were also used in some Gulf states, both officially and unofficial. At the time of Partition, the postal system of some of these areas was run from Karachi, and therefore, they became the responsibility of the new government. Officially these stamps were used in Muscat and Oman and its protectorate of Gwadar (on Pakistan's Baluchistan coast) and Dubai. Muscat used these stamps for a period of only 3 months from 29 December 1947 to 31 March 1948. Gwadar used this issue and various other comemorative ones until 1958. Dubai used these stamps from October 1947 until the end of March 1948.

Image: Block of MNH stamp

Definitives

Over the last 60 years, 17 definitive or regular series have been issued. The first series was issued on 14th August 1948 and consisted of 20 stamps. These stamps featured scales of justice (3); crescent and star (3); Lloyd's Barrage (now Sukkur Barrage) (3); Karachi Port Trust building (5); Salimullah Hostel, Dacca University (3) and the Khyber Pass (3). Mian Mahmood Alam Suharwardy gave 2 designs for this set: scale of justice (SG 24,25,26) and star and crescent (SG 27,28,29). These along with the 1949 redrawn series, were withdrawn from sale on 1st Janaury 1961.

The 1951, 1954, 1955 and 1956 Independence Anniversary issues were all basically definitive series. During this time, these stamps featured the Badshahi Mosque and Jahangir's Tomb in Lahore; the Kaghan Valley and the mountains around Gilgit; tea gardens, jute fields and Karnaphuli Paper Mill in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) and a textile mill, cotton fields and a Sui Gas Plant in West Pakistan.

The 1957, 1958 and 1960 Republic Day (23rd March) issues were also definitives. Since then 10 further series have been issued, with the latest in 1998. The 1978 series was printed with both gum Arabic and PVA gum, though the PVA issue had only 17 stamps compared to 18 for gum Arabic. These stamps featured the Minar-e-Pakistan (3); tractors (9 Gum Arabic, 8 Gum PVA) and Makli tombs (6). Of the last four series, three in 1989, 1994 and 1998, feature different portraits of the Quaid. The fourth in 1995 featured a geometric design.

Image: Latest stamp or first stamp

First Commemorative issue

The first commemorative issue was released in July 1948 for the country’s first anniversary. Three of the four stamps depicted places from West Pakistan while the fourth stamp depicted a motif. The places were: Constituent Assembly Building, Karachi (1 1/2 annas), Karachi airport (2 1/2 annas) and Lahore Fort (3 annas). The stamps were inscribed “15th August 1947” because of the prevailing confusing as to which date was Pakistan’s actual date of independence. It wasn't until early 1949, that this confusion was cleared by declaring 14th August as independence day. The artist, A.R. Chughtai was also amongst Pakistan’s first stamp designers having designed the Re 1 motif stamp. The other stamps were designed by Rashiduddin (1 1/2 anna and 3 anna) and M. Latif 2 1/2 anna). This set was printed in London by Thomas De La Rue Company as the country did not have its own printing press.

Images: AR Chughtai’s stamp

Decimal Surcharges

In 1961, the government decided to introduce decimal coinage into the country. This necessitated the surcharging of stamps to reflect this change. Six stamps were chosen from various issues as follows:

• 1 paisa (SG 122) on 1 1/2 anna stamp (SG 68) from the 7th Anniversary of independence set released on 14th August 1954. It depicted Jahangir's Tomb in Lahore.
• 2 paisas (SG 123) on 3 pie stamp (SG 24a) from the first regular series crescent and star facing north east released on 14th August 1948. Scales of Justice were depicted on this stamp.
• 3 paisas (SG 124) on 6 pies stamp (SG 108) from the Jammu and Kashmir definitve set released on 23rd March 1960. Stamp depicted a map of Pakistan.
• 7 paisas (SG 125) on 1 anna stamp (SG 67) from the 7th Anniversary of independence set released on 14th August 1954. The Badshahi Mosque, Lahore stamp was chosen from this series.
• 13 paisas (SG 126)on 2 anna stamp (SG 83) from the 9th Anniversary of independence set released on 14th August 1956. Stamp showed a crescent and star.
• 13 paisas (SG 127)on 2 anna stamp (SG 109) from the Jammu and Kashmir definitve set released on 23rd March 1960. Stamp depicted a map of Pakistan with Jammu and Kashimir's status as not yet determined.

The printing of these stamps was divided between two printers: Pakistan Security Printing Corporation (PSPC) and Time Press, Karachi. The former printed the 2 paisa, 3 paisa and 13 paisa (SG 126) stamps while the later did the 1 paisa, 7 paisa and 13 paisa (SG 127) stamps.

In the printing the Times Press used as many as 34 plates; 17 for 1 paisa (ordinary and service), 14 for 7 paisas and 3 plates for 13 paisas. The PSPC used single plates for each denomination, therefore resulting in only minor varieties and shifts.

Service stamps with decimal surcharges were also printed by the same printers. However, these are scarcer than ordinary stamps.

Forgeries in this issue exist in such numbers that they make the average person think that there are more errors and varieties than in actual fact. In the 2 paisas Service stamps, errors including service on front and surcharge on gum side are forgeries.

In the 3 paisa and 13 paisa (SG 127) stamps, spelling errors such as "3PASIA" or 13 "PAIS" which are even listed in Stanley Gibbons are forgeries. In the 7 paisa there are a number of known forgeries including extra sharp letters with the 'S' slightly broader. The 13 paisa (SG 126) is one issue in which the existence of forgeries is very difficult because of the existence of variable stages of wear.

Themes and Series

Over the years, the postal authorities have portrayed, commemorated and honoured various personalities, national and international organizations and events, the country’s flora and fauna, its cultural and historical heritage as well as the country’s development. Other themes include health, educational institutions, religion, sports and defence.

Though it has now become very common to portray a human face on stamps, for the initial 17 years this was not the case. Mr. M. H. Zuberi, a retired CSP officer, tried to get the president's approval to issue stamps with the Quaid's portrait in 1964. This was however, rejected on the grounds that the people might not accept them. He however, perservered and it paid off when the first locally designed issue to carry a human face, a set of three stamps, was released to pay homage to the country’s armed forces after the War of 1965. The first incumbent head of state or government portrayed was General Ayub Khan on the 1966 stamps for the new capital of Islamabad.

The Quaid was first pictured on his 90th birth anniversary in 1966. Earlier issues carried motifs and wordings or his mausoleum. Since then numerous stamps have been issued carrying his portrait including his 50 death anniversary in 1998 (SG ) and 125 years of his birth in 2001.

Since the 1960s, the government has featured a large number of both local and foreign personalities including Allama Mohammad Iqbal, Mirza Ghalib, Kemal Attaturk, Shah of Iran, Maria Montessori, Hakim Saeed, Liaquat Ali Khan, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Tipu Sultan and Abdus Salam. The largest set ever issued consisted of 27 stamps and depicted pioneers of Pakistan's freedom movement (1990)(SG 801-827).

For a complete list of personalities on Pakistani stamps, please see this list.

Image: 1965 War heroes stamp Image: Nusrat Fateh Ali MNH Stamp

Over the years, various series have been periodically issued. There is no set basis for their issuance and these are released at the discretion of the authorities. Current series include Men of Letters and Medicinal Plants of Pakistan. Other series issued include:

• Fruits of Pakistan
• Handicrafts
• Moenjodaro
• Poets of Pakistan
• Wildlife

Image: Medicinal Plants of Pakistan – MNH Stamp/cover

Gold Stamp

In 1976, the authorities issued a gold stamp for the birth centenary of Mohammad Ali Jinnah. Each stamp carried 25mg of 23/24 carat gold and was valued at Rs. 10. These stamps were printed by Cartor S.A., France using a special silk screen printing process known as serigraphy. It was the first time that this process was used to make a stamp. A sheetlet with stamp impression and a description of the event at the bottom was also released. The 500 copies printed were distributed to guests and dignitaries.

Image: Single stamp

Errors, Varieties, Forgeries and Overprints

There were two famous errors during the 1960s. The 1961 definitive was initally released with the name of the country wrongly spelt in Bengali i.e. “Shakistan” instead of Pakistan. The error was corrected and new stamps released. In 1968, the government printed stamps commemorating the Bengali poet Kazi Nazrul Islam. However, the birth year was out by a hundred years: 1989 instead of 1889. Although these stamps were not issued, a few of them did find their way into the market.

Forgeries exist in the decimal surcharge stamps of 1961.

For the 10th Anniversary of the UNO, Pakistan Post overprinted two stamps, one each from the 7th (1 1/2 anna) and 8th (12 anna) Anniversary issues, with the words, Tenth Anniversary United Nations 24.10.55 in blue.

Varieties of different kinds exist in many different issues. Watermark variations are common. For example, in the 1994, definitive series, inverted watermark (Rs. 5, Rs. 10, Rs. 12 and Rs. 15) and watermark sideways (Rs. 10, Rs. 15 and Rs. 20) are known.

Withdrawn and Not released Issues

In 1976, the post offices designed a stamps to coincide with the opening of the Shah Faisal Mosque in Islamabad. However this issue was not officially released but did manage to find its way into the market.

In 2007, it issued and later withdraw a stamp to commemorate the 1st Anniversary of the 3rd meeting of the ECO Postal Authorities held in Turkey. The stamp was withdrawn because the name of the country had not been printed on it.

Joint Issues

Twice during the 1960s and then yearly in the 1970s, Pakistan released joint issues with Turkey and Iran to commemorate the Regional Cooperation for Development (RCD). The stamps depicted various aspects from the three nations including paintings, landscapes, personalities, handicrafts and mosques.

Between 1977 and 1994, the country released 5 joint issues with Indonesia for the Indonesia Pakistan Economic and Cultural Cooperation (IPECC) Organisation. In 1995, it issued a stamp with Turkey for the holding of the conference of women parliamentarians.

On the political front it, in 2002, it teamed up with Kyrgyzstan to release a stamp on the 10th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

The 50th Anniversary of K-2's first ascent was commemorated with another joint issue, this time with Italians as they were the first team to scale it in 1954.

Souvenir Sheets

The first souvenir sheet was issued for Universal Postal Union Day on 9th October 1971. It was an imperforated sheet valued at 70p. There were no leaflets or first day covers released and 10,000 sheets were printed.

Over the years, other sheets have been released and include both perforated and imperforated sheets. These include the 2,500th anniversary of the Iranian Monarchy (1971), the Quaid's 50th death anniversary (1998) (SG MS1048) and the 50th anniversary of the first ascent of K-2 (2004).

In 2005, Pakistan Post issued a souvenir sheet to raise money for the 2005 earthquake victims. There were 8 stamps of Rs.4, though the sheet was valued at Rs. 100. The entire amount was meant for the President's Fund. However, the souvenir sheet was also valid for postage. This sheet has not be given a number by the post office but catalogues list it as an issue.

The latest souvenir sheet was issued on the 29th martyrdom anniversary of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in April 2008. The sheet also features the slain leader's daughter, Benazir Bhutto, who was assassination in December 2007. Image: first ss/earthquake sheet

Booklets

Pakistan has to date issued only four booklets, the first and only regular issue, was released in 1956. The other three were issued for stamp exhibitions in the 1990s.

Released on 23rd March 1956, the first booklet was also the only time a private company, in this case Atco Industries, makers of Alladin battery cells, had sponsored a booklet. It contained 24 stamps of two denominations, 6 pies (SG 65) and 1 1/2anna (SG 68), from the 7th anniversary set of 1954. Each pane was separated by interleaving of butter paper. The booklet was priced at Rs. 1/8. 10,000 booklets were printed.

The second booklet, with a released quantity of between 500 and 600, was only sold during the National Seminar on Philately held in Multan in 1992. It consisted of 2 denominations from the Mohammad Ali Jinnah 1989 definitive series overprinted in light grey with "National Seminar on Philately Multan 1992". Watermarked paper was used and it was printed using lithography for the frames and recess for the centre. PVA gum was used with perforation at 13C. The price was Rs. 20 even though the stamps were valued at only Rs. 18.

The third booklet, for a stamp exhibition in Peshawar, was released in a quantity of 8,500. It was sold through the philatelic bureau across the country. Released on 20th January 1993, 3 values (SG 632, 633 and 636) from the forts definitive issue were used and 18 stamps each were printed. The price was Rs. 30, Rs. 3 more than the value inside. There was no watermark and perforation was 11C. Both PVA and Gum Arabica were used.

The fourth and last booklet was released on 1st February 1994. It used the Re.1 stamp depicting Wazir Mansion, the birth place of Mohammad Ali Jinnah. Though 10,000 booklets were printed, because of defects many were return and therefore the actual numbers sold is considerably lower.

Image: Wazir Mansion booklet (1994)

Languages

When stamps were initially issued, the name of the country was in two languages i.e. English and Urdu. Bengali, which was the first language for more than half the population, was not depicted on stamps until 1956. The first set, was aptly, the one commemorating the first session of the National Assembly in the eastern wing. From then until 1973 when Pakistan officially recognized Bangladesh, three languages were depicted on the country’s stamps. After 1973, it reverted to using Urdu and English again.

Image: Assembly 1956 in E. Pak – Stamp/cover

First Day Covers

Though Pakistan started issuing first day postmarks with its first stamps, this was not the case with covers. Earlier, collectors made their own covers and took them to the post office to be stamped. This however, changed in 1961 when official ones were released. Before, that only one official FDC was released on the occasion of the centenary of the Scinde Dawk issue.

Annual and Special Folders

Earlier, annual folders containing the entire year's issues were prepared and sold throughout the country to promote philately. However, in recent times this practise has been discontinued.

In 1989, Pakistan Post issued a special folder during INDIA89. It consisted of a single sheet sheet of 5 stamp designs from the Los Angles Olympics. The cover depicted the Post's logo and the inscription, "Olympics Los Angeles Commemorative Postage Stamps." A quantity of 250 folders were sold at their face value of Rs. 150. These were later traded at Rs. 2000/-

Printing

Designers and stamp design

Three people, A.R. chughtai, Rashiduddin and Muhammad Latif, have the honour of designing the first commemorative set issued in July 1948. Since then, numerous other people have designed stamps for the country including some well know artists. These artists include Saeed Akhtar, Bashir Mirza, Askari Mian Irani, Jimmy Engineer and Zahoor ul Akhlaq. Others designers were Nighat Saeed, Salim Ghori, Zahid Shah, Talat Sultana and A. J. McCoy. A famous Pakistani designer is Adil Salahuddin, who in his capacity as the official designer for almost 40 years, designed over 350 stamps for his country.

Most of the stamps designed are by local designers. However, photographs have been also used for stamps as in the Louis Pasteur issue (1995)(SG 978) and the 1993, Siberian Crane issue (SG ). Some organisations linked to a stamp issue, supply their own design. These have included the Family Planning Association of Pakistan (SG ), Kinnaird College for Women, Lahore (SG ), Muslim Commerical Bank (SG ) and UNICEF Pakistan (SG ).

For the 1987 Air Force Day set (SG 715-724), a painting by Sq. Ldr Masood was used to design the final stamps. Faiz Ahmed Faiz's stamp (SG 510) in 1997 was designed using a photograph.

For more information check out Designers of Pakistani Stamps.

Gum and Paper

From 1968 until 2003? paper manuafactured at Pakistan Security Printing Press, Karachi was used to print the stamps. The ink used was also manuafactured at the same place.

Near the end of the 2003, paper manufactured by Tullis Russell Coaters, UK started being used, and it continued for the next year. At the beginning of 2005, paper imported from Shanghai Kailum Paper (Group) Co Ltd, China was used until mid 2006 except for a couple of issues. Since then paper manufactured at the Security Press, Karachi is used.

Gum arabic and PVA gum

Process

Pakistan Security Printing Press uses three processes in the production of stamps. These are: recess, photogravure and lithography. Definitive stamps of high and medium face values are printed using the recess method as are special stamps. However, a time frame of 10 to 12 months has to be given for its production. Special stamps which involve a large variety of colours are printed using the photogravure method. Simpler designed stamps, both commemorative and definitive are printed using lithography.

Watermarks

Watermarked paper was first used in the 1963 definitive issue for the Chota Sona Masjid. The watermark consisted of a crescent and star. Since 1993, it has also been occasionally used for commemorative issues. Besides normal watermarks, reversed, inverted (SG996) and reversed inverted (SG476) watermarks are also found on stamps.

Image: chota Sona Masjid/any watermark

Printing Press

Due to the lack of a local press, Pakistan's initial stamps were printed by Thomas De La Rue in London. In 1949, the Pakistan Security Printing Corporation was set up in Malir Halt, Karachi. The first set printed entirely by this press was the 1954 Seventh Anniversary issue (SG ). Since then until mid 2003, it printed most of the stamps issued within the country.

In 2003, from the Year of Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah issue (SG ), stamps were printed by Pakistan Post Office Foundation Press (Security Division), Karachi. However, this changeover did not last long and in 2006 the printing was reverted back to the earlier printer.

Other foreign printers of Pakistani stamps have been Cartor, Paris, France; Courvoisier, Switzerland; Harrisons, London and Secura, Singapore.

Postmarks

First Day Cancellation

Though there was a postmark which marked the release of the Nasik Overprints (1947), the first special (pictorial) postmark of Pakistan was the one issued on 9th July 1948. The design was simple with a star above a crescent within a circle and Pakistan written in both Urdu and English. As time has gone by, these postmarks have become more and more elaborate.

Image: 1st pic postmark

Slogan Postmarks

The first slogan postmark commemorated the founding of the country. The wordings were simple with “Pakistan Zindabad” in English and Urdu. Some of the examples of this type are from upto five years after independence. The initial slogans reflect the priories of the government with “Learn and Teach” in Urdu, the bilingual slogan with “Patronise Pakistan Products” (English) and “Use Pakistani products” (Urdu), and “Contribute to Quaid-e-Azam Memorial Fund.” Later slogans depict a wide range of subjects including fighting TB (1963), census (1961) national identity cards (1973) and family planning (1980). Postmarks were issued in three languages: Bengali, Urdu and English, though all postmarks were not released in all three languages.

Image: first slogan postmark/any

Special Postmarks

Though slightly on the decline, special postmarks are also used. Over the years, these have commemorated events such as state visits by King Saud of Saudi Arabia (1954) and Queen Elizabeth the Second (1961), stamp exhibitions (1968, 1998, 2003, 2008), the holding of cricket matches (2004) and National Horse and Cattle shows (1964, 1965). Others include Mother and Child Care Campaign (1961), Scouting (1953), SEATO Conference (1956) and awarding of Hilal-e-Istiqlal to the cities of Sargodha, Lahore and Sialkot (1965).

Image: queen E’s visit cover/cricket match

Metermarks

Provided to bulk mailers, metermarks have become more prominent in recent years, most of which come with a slogan promoting the entity. Their usage is not restricted to any paticular type of entity and include diplomatic missions, multinationl corporations, book publishers, media groups, clubs, banks, government organisations and non governmental organisations.

Amongst the current entities using this type of mailing are Oxford University Press (OUP), Pakistan; State Life Insurance Corporation; Reckit Benkiser, Pakistan; General Type and Rubber Company, Pakistan; Herald Publications (Pvt) Ltd; the Jang Group; Shirkat Gah Women's Resource Centre; Embassy of the United States of America; High Commission of U.K.; Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantations (SIUT) and the National Library of Pakistan.

Some of the slogan ones are " " OUP is using this method in its campaign to fight piracy and encourage copyright protection while State Life Insurance Corporation promotes itself as a “national concern for the nation’s future.” The US Embassy uses its seal on mailings.

Image: OUP/State Life, Reckit Benkiser

Postal Stationery

Besides stamps and souvenir sheets, the Post Office also prints postal stationery. This includes prestamps envelopes, aerogrammes, postal cards, urgent mail service envelopes and registered envelopes.

Prestamped Envelopes

These types of envelopes are mostly used for domestic postage. Untill 1978, a simple design and size introduced by the British in the 1890s, was used. In 2001, new larger, 4 colour litho offset envelopes were issued. These provided both, the Post Office and commercial companies, an avenue for advertising. The first envelope was issued on 1st August 2001 and featured the Quaid's Ziarat Residency as the stamp impression. The reverse showed the Mazar-e-Quaid, Badshahi Mosque, Shah Faisal Mosque and the Northern Areas. It also gave the tourism department's website and the slogan 'Visit Pakistan.'

Later that year, 3 envelopes featuring Habib Bank AG Zurich were released with an additional one in April 2002. On all, the stamp impression was the bank's logo with a enlarged emblem on the left side. However, the writing above this emblem was different on each enevelope including Pachas key lakh (a 100,000 from 50) and 'A tradition of service' on one and small symbols to highlight the bank's services on another.

A month later, another bank, this time Muslim Commercial Bank Limited (MCB), had 5 envelopes printed with the Quaid's Ziarat residency as their stamp impression. These envelopes also promoted the services of the bank including its rupee travellers cheques and 24 hour banking via ATMs.

An error was noticed in the next envelope issued in June 2002. This envelope was smaller in size (200mm x 92mm) and also featured 4 landmarks of the country, but the name of the fort in Lahore was given as 'Red Fort.' This error was corrected quickly and new envelopes with the correct text were released in July. This reduction in size was not to last, for in October 2002, it was enlarged to 222mm x 96mm with the released of an envelope showing the national flag on top of buildingds. A rarity exists in this envelope with the flags closed as opposed to unfurled later on.

Besides, the two banks in 2001, two oil companies: Pakistan State Oil (PSO) and Pak Arab Refinery Company (PARCO), have also had envelopes released with their advertisements. The housing scheme, Bahria Town, has also advertised on these envelopes in 2005.

Since then, other designs include Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah year (2003), 50th anniversary of the first ascent of K-2 (2004) and reconstruction of earthquake ravaged areas (2005).

Normally, these envelopes are provided at the cost of postage, however, some such as the Golden Jubilee of Pakistan Resolution envelope (1990) carry additional stationery charges of 25 paisas.

Images: Parco./PSO envelope

Post Office Service Envelopes

In recent years special envelopes have been printed for some of the Post Office's various services. These include a Rs. 12 light blue envelope for Urgent Mail Service and a yellow Rs. 25 Airex enevlope. The latter features, some of the country's famous langmarks. Both envelopes carry a stationery charge of Re. 1.

Image: UMS Envelope

Aerogrammes/Air Letter

Pakistan had issued 5 different types of aerogrammes and air letters. These are for: public use, official use, armed forces/army use, prisoners of war and formulae aerogrammes.

Public Use

The first Pakistani air letter was a Nasik "Pakistan" overprint of a 6 anna British India, King George VI 1946 issue. Since then, these have been issued in various shapes and keeping up with increasing postal rates.

The languages used on them are Arabic, Urdu and English. The late 1960's saw the introduction of pictorial aerogrammes. The front sides of these were printed with a view of Moenjodaro(Rs. 2) and a gate of Lahore Fort (Rs. 0.50).

The 1971 war saw the release of two special aerogrammes. The first one released for general use depicted a hand behind a barbwire to symbolise the POWs being held in India. The second one was released with reduced rates to be used for sending mail to the POWs.

In 1982, two special aerogrammes were released. They were overprints in gold on the Rs. 2 ones, and issued to commemorate the Iternational Stamp Exhibition, Philexfrance and Interntional Stamp Fair, Riccione, Italy.

In 1990, to commemorate the golden jubilee of the Pakistan Resolution passed in Lahore (1940), the Post Office used a special aerogramme depicting Quaid-e-Azam, Mohammad Ali Jinnah.

Armed Forces/Army

3 aerogrammes were released to be used for the armed forces. Two were identical except for the watermark. The same message "for use by the armed forces" in Urdu was slightly larger in one.

Postal cards

The first pictorial postal cards were released on 10 August 1967. Featuring 4 designs showing Buddha, a small industry, a boat scene from East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) and a dam in West Pakistan. These 30 paisa cards had a flying dove silhoutte. About 8 months later in May 1967, a second set of 4 cards was released.

In 2001, the Post Office teamed up with the organisers of the SAF Games, which were scheduled for that year in Islamabad, to produce Rs. 10 postcards. Besides being valid for postage, these cards entitled the buyer to be entered into a lucky draw.

Images: SAF Games

Collecting Pakistani Stamps

In Pakistan, stamp programmes are not issued in advance. Earlier, collectors could almost always count on stamps being issued on at least two dates: 23rd March and 14th August. However, in recent years, the 23rd March issues have become less frequent.

The number of stamps issue per year also varies. Some have seen --- issues while in other there have been only --- ones. However, no matter how manhy issues are released, their total cost rarely exceeds Rs. 300/- (approx USD 5).

Besides postage stamps and souvenir sheets, the post office also sells first day covers, leaflets with and without stamps on it and postal stationery.

Earlier, the post office did not use any specific numbering system. This however, changed when they started using a rather simple system on their leaflets: xxxx – y where xxxx is the year and y is the issue number within that year.

All major catalogues include Pakistani stamps in them. Two local updated catalogues are available, each of which uses its own system of numbering.

Images: Leaflet with numbering system

Facts

• 1947 - First official stamps
• 1948 - First commemorative stamps
• 1957 - First two colour stamps (SG)
• 1955 - First overprinted stamp (SG )
• 1956 - First trilingual issue (SG)
• 1962 - First airmail
• 1965 - First human face portrayed (SG)
• 1990 - Largest set issued - Pioneers of Freedom (SG 801-827)

Societies

Within Pakistan

• Philatelic Federation of Pakistan, Karachi
• Peshawar Stamp Society
• Stamp Society of Pakistan

Outside Pakistan

• Pakistan Study Circle, UK

See Also

• List of people on stamps of Pakistan
• List of Pakistani stamp issues
• Pakistan on World Stamps
• Postage stamps and postal history of India

Literature

Articles

This is a selection of articles published.

• Dar, Brig Pakistan Censorship & Army Post Offices 1965 - 66

Books

• Ahmed, S.R., (1972) 25 years of Philately in Pakistan
• Balgamwala, Arif, "Pakistan" Overprints 1947 - 1949
• Isani, U.A., (1974) Pakistan Overprints on Indian Stamps 1948-49, revised 2nd edition
• Martin, D.R., (1959) Pakistan Overprints on Indian Stamps 1948-49, 1st edition
• Zahedi, Mahbub Jamal (1997) Fifty Years of Pakistan Stamps, Sanaa Publications, Karachi, Pakistan

Catalogues

• The Most Comprehensive Colour Catalogue Pakistan Postage Stamps 2006 – 2007 11th edition, M. I. Choudhary, Lahore, Pakistan, 2006. Other editions: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th.
• Pakistan Postage Stamps Catalogue 1975, Akhtar ul Islam Siddiqui, Faisalabad, Pakistan
• Pakistan Postage Stamp Catalogue, Akhtar ul Islam Siddiqui, Faisalabad, Pakistan. Editions: 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981
• Collect Pakistan Postage Stamps, Siddiqui Catalogue, Akhtar ul Islam Siddiqui, Faisalabad, Pakistan. Editions: 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998, 2000
• Popular's Pakistan Postage Stamps Catalogue, 6th edition, Popular Enterprises, Lahore 2006. Other editions: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th
• Sidhwa's Catalogue, Pakistan stamps, errors & varieties, 1947-78, Rustam S Sidhwa, Kermin, Lahore 1978
• Special Postmarks of Pakistan 1947 – 2001, Dr. Munaf Billoo and M. Rizwan Kodwavwala, Karachi, 2002
• Stamp Catalogue Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, 1st edition, Stanley Gibbons Ltd, UK, 2005

Exhibition Souvenirs

• Pakistan 2003 held at Arts Council, Karachi, 2003
• Pakistan 2007 held at Expo Centre, Karachi, 2008
• NCA and Stamp Design, held at French Centre, Lahore, 2000

Magazines

• Monthly Stamp Times, Karachi Vol. 1 Nos 1, 2-3 & 4, 2001
• Monthly Stamp Times, Karachi Vol. 1 No 12, 2002
• Stamp Times, Karachi Vol. 8 No , 2008

Pakistan Post Publications

• Pakistan Postage Stamps, 1st edition, Pakistan Post Office, Government of Pakistan, Karachi, 1960
• Pakistan Postage Stamps, 2nd edition, Pakistan Post Office, Government of Pakistan, Karachi, 1969
• Pakistan Postage Stamps 1961-62, Pakistan Post Office, Government of Pakistan, Karachi
• Pakistan Postage Stamps 1963, Pakistan Post Office, Government of Pakistan, Karachi
• Pakistan Postage Stamps 1964, Pakistan Post Office, Government of Pakistan, Karachi
• Pakistan Postage Stamps 1965, Pakistan Post Office, Government of Pakistan, Karachi
• Pakistan Postage Stamps 1966, Pakistan Post Office, Government of Pakistan, Karachi
• Pakistan Postage Stamps 1967-70, Pakistan Post Office, Government of Pakistan, Karachi
• Pakistan Postage Stamps 1975-76, Pakistan Post Office, Government of Pakistan, Karachi
• Collecting Pakistan Postage Stamps 1992-1993, Postal Services Corporation, Islamabad
• Leaflets issued with each stamp issue.

External Links

• Pakistan Post official website
• Pakistan Philately
• Peshawar Stamp Society
• Philatelic Federation of Pakistan
• Philatelic Resource of Pakistan
• Pakistan Stamps (Philatelic Archive)