PHILATELIC LITERATURE IN PAKISTAN

By Muhammad Pervaiz Rashid

The word "philately" is said to have been coined in France in 1864 by Georges Herpin. It is from two Greek words: ''philos'' meaning loving and ''llateleiall' meaning free of payment. Originally philately was more confined to the study of labels, representing payment for postal services. From here its area was widened to include the study of the systematic collection of postage stamps, postcards, postal covers, postmarks
and other postal material

During the past 60 years, philatelic literature in Pakistan appeared in the form of books, magazines, Catalogues, Newspapers columns and so on. Recently we can also see the Pakistan Philately on website. A brief review of the said subject is as follows:

BOOKS

Many famous books, i.e. 'Stamps Collecting '- The Noblest of al hobbies written by Mr. F Aleem Sundal, 'How to Collect Stamps' a publication of Peshawar Stamps Society, '25 years of Pakistan Philately' written by S. Riaz Ahmad, Stamp Album' written by Mr. Saifuddin
& Mr. Muhammad Ijaz were written in the past. U.A. G. lssani is a famous philatelic writer and Ex. President Philatelic
Federation of Pakistan. He has written many books on philately. 'Pakistan Overprint on Indian Stamps 'was written by Col D.R Martin
but later on it was revised by Mr. Issani. 'Pakistan Overprint on Indian Stamps and Postal Stationary 1947-49 was written by R. Doubleday &
U. A. G. Issani. 'Pakistan 1961' Decimal Currency Overprints is a very good publication on the 1961 overprints which is written by Mr. Issani.
The Amirate of Bahawalpur Postal History & Stamps (1932-1949) is a
very Informative book on Bahawalpur Stamps which is jointly written by Mr. lssani and
Syed Abid Hussain. Stamps of Pakistan's decimal Currency Surcharge 1961' is
U.A.G.Issani research book on 1961 overprint stamps. Well done Mr. lssani for your
contribution in philatelic literature.
Iqbal Nanjee is a famous collector and writer. His book The Jammu &
Kashmir, Vol. I is a study of postal history, which has never been
fully illustrated and explained before in full colour. This book is
indeed a landmark study in the philatelic history of Asia and is
philatelic study of any of the great Princely States of this region.
M. Arif Balgamwala also tried on the topic 1947 overprints in his book
'Pakistan Overprints 1947-1949' which is a Comprehensive Catalogue
of' Pakistan' Overprints on British stamps & stationary.

F. Aleem. Sundal is a prominent philatelic writer. 'Postal Stationary of Pakistan'
1947-1995' was jointly written by F.Aleem .Sundal and Rafique Kasbafi. Mehboob
Jamal Zahidi a famous journalist has written two books 'GulfPost - The Story of the Post in
Gulf' and 'Fifty years of Pakistan Stamps'. Kaghzi Parahan (Paper Money) was also
written by F. AIeem Sundal.
There are many Urdu Publications. Akhtar ul Islam Siddiqui is a famous
Philatelic Journalist. The most famous book 'Dak Kee Tikat Jama
Kama' was first published by Feroze Sons Ltd. in 1973. The revised
edition of the book was published in 2003. It is the first book in the
Philatelic history which was awarded Commendation Certificate and
Cash prize Rs.10000/- by Nationl Book Foundation, Government of
Pakistan. His book' Quaid-i-Azam & Pakistan Postage Stamps ' is
popular in the children's. Tiktoon ka Allbum by Muhammad Azam, 'Dak
ke Tikat kistarah jamaa kiyee jain ' Dak kee tiktoon ka
Mashghala' by Khawaja Zafar Nizami are some famous publications.
PHLATELIC MAGAZINES
Many Philatelic magazines were issued but failed due to financial constraints. These
magazines used to provide update knowledge. 'The Pakistan Stamps Monthly ' Editor
Sharief Qureshi was the first famous magazine. The name of the
magazine was later on changed as 'Pakistan Stamps Journal'. This is
official magazine of Pakistan Philatelic Association. This Magazine was
also Edited on different stages by Ijaz Aslam Qureshi, Mir Fayyaz ul
Haq and Akhtar ul Islam Siddiqui. 'Universal Post' from Karachi, is a
most popular magazine in this period and it is regularly issued.
'Philatelic News, from Lahore Stamps Aid' from Karachi, 'Link
International 'from Sadiqabad, 'Philatelic Bulletin' from Karachi
'Philatelic Bulletin' from Faisalabad are local papers. From Karachi a
magazine 'Stamps Connection' was issued, it was a very popular
magazine of the time which was issued by Qaim Hussain Naqvi. The
Editors of this magazine were Mr. Qaim Hussain Naqvi and Akhtar ul
Islam Siddiqui. This magazine served the collectors for many years. 'MAJ
Stamps Bulletin' edited by Muhammad Ali Jahangir. The 'PFP News' is an
official bulletin of Pakistan Philatelic Federation. Its first issue released in
January 2009. Mr. Jamil Ahmed Information Secretary and Editor issued
a very beautiful and informative bulletin.
"Pak Phil" is also a very informative Bul etin which was started by Pakistan Study Group, New
York. The editor Mr. Jeff Siddiqui contributed a lot of material on Pakistan Philately. Now
this bulletin is being regularly issued by Pakistan Study Circle, England. Mr. George Rab as
an editor, is providing good information to the collectors. Mr. Muhammad Aslam Zahid is
Local Secretary of Pakistan Study Circle at Pakistan.

CATALOGUES:
The first catalogue of Pakistan Postage stamps was compiled by Akhtar ul Islam Siddiqui. It
was published in 1971 in Pakistan Stamps Journal. The Official Stamps Journal of Pakistan
Philatelic Association.

The first regular catalogue of Pakistan Postage stamps was printed in
1975 by Mr. Akhtar ul Islam Siddiqui. In 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979 &
1980 editions of Siddiqui catalogue were printed under the title `
Pakstampage Catalogue'.

A new look of the title was given to Siddiqui catalogue. The new name
'Collect Pakistan Postage Stamps' was given and 1982, 1983, 1984,
1985, 1986, 1987, I989, I990, 1992, 1993,1994,1995,1996,1998
and 2000 editions were printed under this title. It is the first
catalogue which is regularly published since last 41 years. The first
online Siddiqui Catalogue was issued by Mr. Akhtar ul Islam Siddiqui in
2008 , which
is available
on website
www.pakistanphilately.com. The first catalogue on CD was issued
by Mr. Akhtar ul Islam Siddiqui in 2008. The catalogue was launched at
Karachi Stamps Exhibition in December 2008. The Siddiqui catalogue
completed a journey of 41 years and they are the first to issue the
catalogue in print media, Online and again on CD. Akhtar ul Islam
Siddiqui is the Pioneer of Catalogue in Pakistan. He provide First Printed
catalogue Electronic Catalogue and Catalogue on CD.
Mr. A. Latif Rashid issued the First coloured catalogue 'Popular Pakistan Postage Stamps
Catalogue' in 2006. It is informative & the only catalogue which covers
Revenue, Insurance & ID Card Stamps .The Eighth edition 2014 is now in
market. Mr. M. I. Choudhry is famous philatelic dealer of Lahore. He is
issuing Pakistan Postage Stamps coloured Catalogue since last many
years. The 2014 edition is in the market. The first Catalogue of Pakistan
Postage Stamps, Errors & Varieties was issued by Mr. Justice Rustam
Sidhwa.
PILATELIC COLUMNS:
Two philatelic columns were very popular among the philatelists. These columns used to
provide latest information and basic knowledge on philately. Weekly columns appeared in
different National News papers in the Sunday Magazines in English, 'Daily Dawn'. By F.
AIeem Sundal and in Urdu, 'Daily Mashriq' in early 1970 by Akhtar ul Islam Siddiqui'
Tiktoon ki Dunya'.

ELECTRONIC MEDIA � FIRST WEB SITE:
The First Website on Pakistan Philately was started by Mr. Akhtar ul Islam Siddiqui. This is
actually a philatelic magazine instead of a web page. It covers all important sections i.e. On
line catalogue of Pakistan Postage Stamps 2015 Edition, articles, latest news on Pakistan
Philately, list of associations, Post Office column, literature section and many other
information's. Collectors can visit at www.pakistanphilately.com. for details.

The
official
website
of
Philatelic
Federation
of
Pakistan
www.philatelicfederationofpakistan.com. Edited by Akhtar ul Islam Siddiqui, Official
Website of Stamp Society of Pakistan...www.sspak.com. Edited By Iqbal Nanjee
official web site of Peshwar Stamp Society www.stampsociety.org/pakistan are also famous
websites in Pakistan.