High Commissioner Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri invites attention to historic Pakistani postal stamps

Canberra: Pakistani High Commissioner to Australia Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri this week invited attention to historic postal stamps issued within a year after Pakistan’s independence.

“West Australian” published this story regarding issuance of postage stamps by Pakistan on 24 June 1948. Stamps valued at one & a half, two & a half, and three annas & one Rupee were also available at Trade Commission for Pakistan in Australia,” he posted on X with the pics.

Immediately after the independence of Pakistan in 1947, the new Pakistan 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 operations of the postal system of Sindh, introduced a cheap and uniform rate for postage (independent of distance travelled) and initiated the production of the Scinde Dawk stamps.

These became the forerunners of the adhesive stamps to be 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.