BRIEF
ON N.W.F.P.
North
West Frontier Province (NWFP), as its name denotes, is situated in the
north westerns part of Pakistan. It is the smallest province in terms
of area of the four provinces of Pakistan and the third largest in term
of population. The area is very diverse, comprising the high mountains
of Hindu Kush in the North and Indus plain in the South. NWFP, also covers
rich diverse ecological systems from snow forests covered mountains to
and rangelands. From the barren hills of the tribal areas to the fertile
agricultural Peshawar.
It
lies between 31-15 to 36-55 north latitudes and 70-05 to 74-08 cast longitudes.
Its extreme length between these parallels is about 600 kilometres and
its extreme breadth between these meridians is about 400 kilometres. It
is bounded on the north and north west by Afghanistan, on the north east
by the Northern areas, on the east by Azad State of Jammu and Kashmir
and the Punjab province, on the south by Dera Ghazi Khan district of the
Punjab Province and in the west by the Federally Administered Tribal Areas
(FATA) across which lies Afghanistan. The total area of the province is
74,521 square kilometres.
It has been the cradle of Buddhist civilization, Ghandhara civilization (sixth Century BC). NWFP is regarded as western border of sub-continent and was traditionally trade route from Asia to India, through its passes have travelled many famous conquerors and explorers like Mahmood of Ghazna, Cyrus, Alexander the great, Tamuriane, emperor Babar, Nadir Shah and Ahmad Shah Abdali.
The N.W.F.P.
was a part of the Punjab ever since the occupation of Punjab in 1849 by
the British. In order to stop the tribal crisis and the revolts against
the Government of India, sporadic crisis of one tribe with another tribe
over the communication routes and for the removal of the British forces
for the advance position and employment of tribal forces for the defence
of tribal country and concentration of the British forces in the British
territory, it was decided by the Government of India to separate settled
districts of Kohat, Hazara, Peshawar, Bannu and transborder tracks which
lay between its administrative and Durand boundaries from the Punjab and
constitute it into a separate province to be headed by a Chief Commissioner.
It was also proposed to include the five political agencies - Malakand,
Khyber, Kurram, Tochi and Wana in the new Province.
The new Province came into being on King's birth day i.e. November 9th
1891, and Lt: Col: Deane was appointed the first Chief Commissioner. The
Province was given the status of Governor's Province on 17.04.1932 with
a Legislative Council as well. NWFP, during its hundred years life has
made tremendous progress in some of socio-economics fields, notwithstanding
heavy growth in its population. In hydal and fossil fuel NWFP, has a unique
role, which is described 30% of hydal power generation in Pakistan. All
the famous dames, Tarbela, Warsak, Malakand exists in NWFP, and there
is great further potential of hydal power generation. Inspite of prevailing
political instability over the years and the influx of million Afghan
Refugees, various steps for the economic development have been taken by
the governments. Industrial Estates have been established i.e. Gadoon
Amazai, Hattar and Hayatabad Industrial Estates for economic development
of the province. In the field of communication Indus Highway Peshawar,
D.I. Khan has been established besides other network of roads linking
Peshawar to Mardan, Swat, Chitral, Gilgit are worth mentioning. lslamabad
Fleshawar motorway and Kohat tunnel are the mega projects in the field
of communication.
Educationally
NWFP was very much backward at the time of its formation. By now more
than 8 Universities in the public and 12 in the private sector are promoting
the cause of high learning. Medical, Agricultural and Engineering, Forest
Colleges are some of the notable professional colleges established in
the NWFP, G.I.K Institute at Topi, Swabi and Kohat University of Science
and Technology (KUST) are providing international standard education in
the field of Science and Technology. However the literacy rate of the
province is still below 50%.
Pushto is the main language of the majority of the population of NWFP,
Hindko, Urdu, Saraiki Puniabi, Khwar, Persian etc. are also spoken in
the NWFP. In NWFP, usually Shalwar Kameez Peshawari or Kohati Chappel
and White Caps are generally used. Pakool cap is widely used in NWFP,
and Afghanistan in winter.
NWFP, is famous for its scenic beauty and its health resorts situated
in Swat, Naran, Kaghan, Northern Areas etc. The traditions and customs
collectively known Pukhtoon wali is compatible with teachings of Islam
to a great extent. Traditional jirgas (councils of the elders) settle
disputes of the people, Religion has great impact on the culture of the
people. Majority of whom are Sunni Muslims. The population of the province
is generally punctual in offering prayers and observing fast during the
month of Ramazan regularly. Visits to the shrines of Kaka Sahib, Peer
Baba, Rehman Baba are also common among the people.
SALIENT FEATURES
Size
of stamp:
25 x 39 mm
Size
of print:
21 x 35 mm
Perforation:
13 ½ x 13
Denomination:
Rs. 4/-
Sheet
contents:
40 Stamps (4 x 10)
Colours:
Multi Colours
Printing Technology:
Lithography (Offset)
Format:
Vertical
Paper:
102 GSM Dual purpose
Gum:
PVA
Quantity:
0.5 Million
Logo Designed:
Adil Salahuddin
Designer of Stamp:
Masood-ur-Rehman
Printer:
Pakistan Security Printing Corporation, Karachi.