Pakistan Makes History by Issuing a Postage Stamp in Recognition of a Christian's Service to the Mainly Islamic Country

Dan Wooding : Apr 28, 2016
ASSIST News Service

"This decision of the Pakistani government is commendable. I am sure it will not just raise Pakistani Christians' morale, and make them proud, but it will go some way to restoring their trust in the government."

(Pakistan)—[ASSIST News] The mainly Islamic nation of Pakistan has made history by issuing a commemorative postage stamp of the Rs.10 denomination, in "recognition of the services for Pakistan of Dewan Bahadur S.P. Singha," a Christian. (Photo via ANS)

"This is a great news and honor for the Pakistani Christians and also Singha family," said Nasir Saeed director of CLAAS-UK. "It is the first time in Pakistani history that any Pakistani Christian's image has been published on a postage stamp."
 
Saeed, Director of CLAAS-UK went on to say, "Although the recognition is a bit late, as Mr Singha died in 1948, just a month after the death of Quaid e Azam [the country's founder], it is never too late for him to be given the respect and honor he deserves."
 
He added: "This decision of the Pakistani government is commendable. I am sure it will not just raise Pakistani Christians' morale, and make them proud, but it will go some way to restoring their trust in the government. It also encourages and inspires them to continue working hard to play a role in Pakistan's security and prosperity, as their ancestors did."
 
According to Nasir Saeed, Dewan Bahadur S.P. Singha was "an important personality in Pakistan's history." He told ANS that Mr. Singha, the then speaker of United Punjab, "played a vital role in the Pakistan's movement." Being a speaker, he added, Mr. Singha used his decisive "casting vote" in the Assembly of United Punjab in favour of Pakistan and supported the Quaid-e-Azam's vision of a separate independent country, Pakistan.
 
Saeed concluded by saying that Mr. Singha was "one of the Christian founders of the Pakistan" and had done "great services" on behalf of the country which, for many years, was "hardly recognised," but now, by issuing a postage stamp of Rs. 10, "the government has done a great job of recognizing his services for Pakistan."