ISLAMABAD: Governor State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), Tariq Bajwa, and German Ambassador to the country, Martin Kobler, unveiled a 50-rupee commemorative coin at the SBP headquarters on Tuesday in recognition of Dr. Ruth Katherina Martha Pfau, who devoted her life to eradicating leprosy in Pakistan. She died in August last year.
According to an official SBP handout, the coin was issued with the approval of the federal government and will be available for public issuance across the country from May 9.
Pfau was a symbol of devotion, commitment and service to Pakistan. Her untiring efforts brought leprosy in the country under control, making it the first country in Asia to earn that status.
Pfau’s contributions to society were widely acknowledged during her lifetime. She was awarded Hilal-e-Imtiaz, Nishan-e-Quaid-e-Azam and Hilal-e-Pakistan.
OBVERSE: The waxing crescent moon and five pointed star facing north west in rising position is in the center. The periphery on the top of the crescent star is inscribed in the wording “ISLAMI JAMHORIA PAKISTAN” in Urdu script. Below the crescent and at the top of two springs of wheat with arms curved upward, there is the year of issuance. The face value of the coin in numeral “50” in bold letters and “RUPIA” in Urdu script are written on the right and left sides of the crescent star respectively. (Photo courtesy: State Bank of Pakistan)
The SBP governor said that Pfau had dedicated her life to helping people suffering from a painful ailment.
“With her efforts, Pakistan became the first country in the region to control the disease,” he noted. “[With] no amount of awards and recognition can we repay her extraordinary services to the country.”
The governor further added that issuing a commemorative coin was something unique, and that the bank had only done this before to pay tribute to people such as Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Allama Muhammad Iqbal, Fatima Jinnah and Abdul Sattar Edhi.
REVERSE: There is a side portrait of Dr. Ruth Pfau in the center. The wording “Dr. Ruth Pfau” is inscribed above the portrait. The life span 1929-2017 is inscribed along with the periphery and below the portrait. (Photo courtesy: State Bank of Pakistan)
Ambassador Kobler thanked the SBP and the government of Pakistan in his speech for recognizing Pfau’s services to the country. He said that she was the true ambassador of Germany and a real source of connection between the two countries.
Pfau was a physician and nun who moved from Germany to Pakistan and devoted more than 50 years of her life fighting leprosy in this country.
