KARACHI: The Pakistan Post is releasing a commemorative postage stamp in the name of poet Majeed Amjad, famous for Ghazal and Nazm genres of Urdu poetry, under its Men of Letters series.

Designed by Naveed Awan and printed by the Pakistan Security Printing Corporation the stamp of Rs8 denomination would be available from June 29, 2017 — the 103rd birth anniversary of the poet, who was born in Jhang, Punjab.

The first day of issue cover and leaflets priced at Rs10 and Rs15 each respectively are also being brought out.

A special postmark would be issued to service the first day of issue cover at various philatelic bureau counters located in general post offices in different cities.

Regarded as a “philosophical poet of depth and sensitivity” Majeed Amjad, after graduating from Islamia College Lahore in 1934, returned to Jhang and remained associated with a weekly newspaper Arooj for some time as its editor, and at the advent of the Second World War he printed his poem against the British Empire and subsequently was forced to leave the publication.

Later after passing an entrance examination he joined food department and served it until his retirement in 1972. Some of his poetry collections were Shab-i-Rafta (1958), Shab-i-Rafta Ke Baad (1989), Kuliyat-i-Majeed Amjad (1989).

Published in Dawn, June 26th, 2017