Pakistan Post releases commemorative stamp to honour Ruth Pfau

KARACHI: Pakistan Post Office on Monday released commemorative stamp to pay tribute to the services of leprosy fighter Dr Ruth Pfau for the country.

At a launching ceremony held today at Marie Adelaide Leprosy Centre (MALC) Head Office, a commemorative stamp of worth Rs8 was issued by Pakistan Post Office on the directives of the Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi.

The stamp was released and displayed for public to give honour to late Dr Ruth Pfau, founding member of MALC, for her dedicated services of over 55 years rendered for leprosy control in Pakistan.

Read More: Ruth Pfau laid to rest after state funeral in Karachi

The stamp is designed by Mughiz Khan and printed by National Security Printing Press, Karachi.

The ceremony was attended by Ex-Officio President Board of Governors MALC Archbishop Joseph Coutts, Consul General of Germany Rainer Schmeidchen, Chief Executive Officer MALC Mervyn Lobo along with MALC board members and staff.

Post Master General Akbar Ali Deero, Deputy Post Master Mustafa Kamal and other Post Office officials were also present on this occasion.

Speaking on this occasion, Mervyn Lobo not only thanked the PM Abbasi and Director (Inland Mail) Pakistan Post Muhammad Shakoor for giving a tribute to selfless services of Dr Ruth Pfau for the country but also stressed that the work which she started was still going on with the same zeal.

Joseph Coutts and Schmeidchen also shared their thoughts on this occasion.

Read More: Karachi’s Civil Hospital renamed after Dr Ruth Pfau

“Just recall face of Pfau, if you want to see face of love and service to humanity. Now, it’s responsibility of all of us to take forward her mission,” the CEO MALC said adding that she served the humanity indiscriminately.

Schmeidchen said the leprosy fighter always welcomed patients with rejoice and helped eradicate leprosy from Pakistan. He also lauded state funeral for the late doctor by Pakistan.

Dr Ruth Pfau passed away at the age of 88 here on August 10. The German nun lost her battle with life while she was undergoing a surgery at the MALC.

Dubbed as Pakistani ‘Mother Teresa’ for her compassion towards lepers, Dr Ruth Pfau came to Pakistan from Germany in 1960 and dedicated her rest of life to serve people suffering from leprosy.

She was awarded Hilal-i-Imtiaz, second highest civilian award of country in 1979, and later granted Pakistani citizenship in 1988. She was given state funeral posthumously and the chief minister Sindh announced to rename Civil Hospital Karachi after her name.