KARACHI, Dec 2: Issuance of postage stamps by the Pakistan Post Office on Sunday marked the 30th year of Pakistan’s diplomatic relations with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), headed by Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahyan.

The postage stamps of two denominations, that is, Rs30 and Rs5, issued on Sunday are a colourful representation of the strong bonds existing between the two countries.

The Pakistan Post Office made arrangements to use a special post mark on first of issue covers, to mark the occasion.

The rectangular Rs30 stamp set on a horizontal plane carries oval shaped portraits of UAE President Shaikh Zayed and Pakistan’s founder Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah with an inscription “30 years of Pak - UAE friendship” along with an Arabic inscription also expressing the same.

The portrait of Shaikh Zayed is on a crimson background making his white Arabic head dress very prominent while the portrait of the Quaid-i-Azam is set in a bright blue background making the Quaid’s face and the celebrated Jinnah Cap worn by him very prominent.

The Rs5 denomination stamp on a vertical setting carries the national flags of the two countries joined on their edges to symbolize friendship, below these are placed two hands symbolising a handshake. Inscriptions in English and Arabic at the bottom express

“30 years of Pak- UAE friendship.”

The designs of these stamps are credited to Syed Ali Afsar and Adil Salahuddin.—APP