Pakistan issues stamp to honour Zayed

Two commemorative stamps, one carrying the picture of President His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, issued by Pakistan, will shortly be launched in Abu Dhabi, according to a senior Pakistani diplomat.

A delegation of senior Pakistani officials will soon visit Abu Dhabi to attend the launch ceremony, said Maj. Gen. (Retd.) Saleemullah, Ambassador of Pakistan to the UAE.

He was speaking at the screening of the film Jinnah at the Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation to celebrate the 125th birth anniversary of the Quaid-i-Azam Mohammed Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan, and to mark the 30th anniversary of Pakistan-UAE diplomatic relations.

The movie was screened on Sunday night for UAE officials, foreign diplomats and members of the Pakistani community.

Pakistan Post has issued the stamps in recognition of Sheikh Zayed and the UAE's contribution to the development of Pakistan. One stamp carries portraits of Sheikh Zayed and Quaid-i-Azam, while the other carries flags of the two countries and an illustration of a handshake to highlight the deep-rooted friendship between Pakistan and the UAE.

Saleemullah said the UAE and Pakistan have been enjoying brotherly relations since the formation of the UAE. "Pakistan was the first country to establish diplomatic relations with the UAE and opened its embassy here," he said.

Sheikh Zayed played a very important role in the development of Pakistan and initiated many projects for the welfare of the people there, said the Ambassador, adding that his country has named many places and institutes after Sheikh Zayed.

He said the movie highlights the genesis of Pakistan and the struggle of Quaid-i-Azam and Muslims of the Indian Subcontinent. Jinnah wasmade by U.S.-based Quaid Project Limited and mainly funded by overseas Pakistanis.

Irfan Mustaffa, a Quaid Project official, said Jinnah was a man of character who waged a constitutional and democratic struggle to create a separate homeland for Muslims of the subcontinent.

The movie shows Jinnah as a champion of Indian independence from Britain and a pioneer of Muslim-Hindu unity. But as independence gets nearer, Jinnah realises the Muslim minority would be threatened due to a lack of status and protection, and therefore, advocates an independent state for Subcontinent Muslims.

The film also urges Pakistanis to strive hard to build the future of the nation by following the principles of Jinnah who advocated and adhered to the Islamic teachings of peace, justice and respect for all faiths in Pakistan and elsewhere in the world.

The winner of the Silver Award for the best feature film at the Houston Film Festival, Jinnah answered questions about the division of India, th creation of Pakistan and the role of British colonial rulers.

The highly-acclaimed film was screened in the capital for the first time and the event was organised by the Embassy of Pakistan in cooperation with the Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation.

The cast includes Christopher Lee, who plays Jinnah, James Fox, Maria Aitken, Indian filmstar Shashi Kapoor, Richard Lintern, Shireen Shah, Robert Ashby, Indira Varma, Sam Dastor, Shakeel and Talat Hussein.