MUZAFFARABAD, Nov 18: The Azad Jammu and Kashmir High Court was moved here on Tuesday to prohibit the “defacement” of postage stamps bearing the portraits of national heroes, flags of Pakistan and Azad Kashmir, sacred places as well as the Quranic verses with black ink resulting in the impression of digit zero.

Petitioner Iftikhar Ahmed Khilji prayed that the method adopted for stamping the postage stamps with black ink defaced the portraits of Quaid-i-Azam and other important personalities and thus amounted to disrespecting them.

The petition has been filed under section 44 of the interim constitution of the AJK and the petitioner has arrayed the post offices director general of the government of Pakistan, deputy post master general of the AJK region, Muzaffarabad, secretary to AJK Council, Islamabad, and AJK government through chief secretary as respondents.

He has prayed that the respondents be directed to change the method and shape of stamping instruments in order to protect the sanctity of the national heroes and the Quranic verses.

AJK High Court Chief Justice Syed Manzoor Hussain Gillani issued notices to the respondents for comments and fixed Dec 12 for hearing of the case.