United Nations 80th Anniversary. November 24, 2025 (2025-25)

The United Nations came into being on 24 October 1945. With the ratification of the UN Charter, the founding document by the majority of its signatories, including the five permanent members of the Security Council, the UN officially came into being. This signalled a commitment to an entirely new level of international cooperation grounded in international law. There is no other global organization with the legitimacy, convening power and normative impact of the UN. No other global organization gives hope to so many people for a better world and can deliver the future we want. Today, the urgency for all countries to come together, to fulfil the promise of the nations united, has rarely been greater. UN Day, celebrated every year, offers the opportunity to amplify our common agenda and reaffirm the purposes and principles of the UN Charter that have guided us for the past 79 years.

Two years later, Pakistan came into being, as a democratic expression of the Muslims of South Asia, to uphold justice, promote tolerance and preserve religious and cultural identities. The Father of the Nation, Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, outlining the ideals of Pakistan's foreign policy, based it on the principles of the Charter of the United Nations: peace and prosperity among nations of the world; honesty and fair play in international dealings; no aggressive designs against any country or nation and material and moral support to the oppressed and suppressed peoples of the world. Guided by the vision of its founding fathers, Pakistan has engaged with the UN to build partnerships and alliances for the collective good. We have participated actively in discussions on a host of issues including international peace and security, human rights, disarmament, development, environment, climate change, and international law.

Pakistan's contributions to the United Nations are as old as the country itself. Begum Shaista Ikramullah, a Pakistani delegate to the UN, played a significant role in drafting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. She specifically advocated for the inclusion of Article 16, which focuses on equal rights in marriage, and emphasized freedom, equality, and choice within the declaration. Her contributions were part of Pakistan's active participation in the drafting discussions at the UN General Assembly's Third Committee in Paris. Since then, Pakistan has helped evolve the UN discourse on human rights as a member of the Human Rights Commission and later as a founding member of the UN Human Rights Council since its inception in 2006.

Pakistan was at the forefront of the United Nations' drive for decolonization that resulted in establishment of dozens of states in Asia, Africa and Latin America, based on the inalienable right to self-determination. Pakistani national delegations steered the intergovernmental endorsements of the decolonization process at relevant forums of the UN. Our efforts contributed in ending the dark chapter of foreign domination and subjugation in many parts of world and helped translate the universality of the right of people to self-determination into reality.

Pakistan is currently a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the term 2025-2026. This is Pakistan's eighth time serving on the UNSC as a non-permanent member. Pakistan was elected to the council with 182 out of 193 votes in June 2024. The country's term began on January 1, 2025, and will continue until December 31, 2026. Pakistan's commitment to the UNSC revolves around upholding the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, particularly maintaining international peace and security. Pakistan is also leading voice for reform of the Security Council to make it more democratic, inclusive and accountable.

The country's foreign policy objectives include promoting peaceful resolutions of disputes, combating terrorism, and supporting UN peacekeeping and peacebuilding efforts. Pakistan also remains a leading member state in United Nations' efforts to maintain international peace and security. Pakistan has been a leading troop contributor to the UN Peacekeeping Missions around the World. We have proudly contributed over 200,000 troops that have served with honour and professionalism in 46 missions over six decades. Moreover, 171 brave Pakistani peacekeepers have offered supreme sacrifice for World peace.

Whilst the promise of the UN-administered plebiscite in Jammu and Kashmir remains unfulfilled, the UN and its various bodies remain apathetic of the grave situation in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). Pakistan continues to facilitate the UN Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP), a reminder of the intentional nature of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute. Three important meetings of the Security Council, two reports by the UN High Commission for Human Rights and numerous statements and press releases by UN Experts and mechanisms have highlighted the multiple dimensions of egregious human rights violations and precarious security situation in IIOJK, warranting urgent implementation of Security Council Resolutions. The 80th anniversary of UN is a solemn reminder to the United Nations and international community to fulfil its promise to the people of Jammu and Kashmir to grant them their fundamental right of self-determination.

As the UN turns 80, Pakistan joins the international community in rejoicing its achievements and reflecting on the setbacks. Indeed, the achievements and setbacks of the UN are a manifestation of the success and failures of its member states. In recent times, Pakistan deeply regrets the failure of the UNSC to adopt the Resolution on the Humanitarian Situation in Gaza tabled by the ten elected members which was an effort to address one of the gravest and sustained humanitarian catastrophes of our time. Pakistan has time and again reaffirmed its unwavering support for the Palestinian people in their just struggle for dignity, justice, and self-determination. On UNSC platform, Pakistan has univocally stated that it stands with the Palestinian people and longs for a just, lasting, and comprehensive solution to the question of Palestine - rooted in international law and based on the establishment of a viable, contiguous, and sovereign Palestinian State, on pre-1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital, in accordance with relevant UN resolutions.

Design Elements

Ø  The stamps have been made using blue and white colour only which are the colours of UN flag.

Ø  Each stamp and first day issue envelope showcases UN80's theme "Building Our Future Together" or its officially issued Urdu variant. Apart from the six official languages, UN has also formally issued UN80 themes in 22 non-official UN languages including Urdu.

Ø  The borders of the stamp sheet figure the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the Global Goals. SDGs were adopted in September 2015 as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and are crucial because they provide a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future. They are a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity.

On the eve of United Nations 80th Anniversary, Pakistan Post is issuing a set of two Commemorative Postage Stamps of Rs.30/- each denomination on November 24th, 2025.

Pakistan International Maritime Expo & Conference (PIMEC) 2025. November 03, 2025 (2025-23)

Oceans are a vital component of our planet containing countless marine species and vast seabed resources. Besides being the cheapest medium for transportation of goods, Oceans contribute towards world's economy through tourism, fishing, renewable energy production, aquaculture and seabed resources including hydrocarbons and minerals. Economic activities in the Oceans are therefore expanding rapidly, driven primarily by growing population across the globe. As the world turns increasingly to the Oceans for sustainable growth, the Blue Economy' emerges as a transformative paradigm - uniting all oceanic, maritime, and coastal sectors for inclusive prosperity and long term resilience.

Blue Economy has been increasingly adopted by developed nations for sustainable growth. Government of Pakistan has put special focus on development of Blue Economy. Across the globe, Maritime exhibitions provide an ideal platform to showcase various products, systems and services leading to beneficial business partnerships at local and international levels.

Recognizing the immense potential of the Blue economy, Pakistan Navy is committed to fostering a national maritime awareness at national level and pave the way for sustainable development of maritime sector through synergized efforts of all stake holders. In this regard, Pakistan International Maritime Expo & Conference (PIMEC) is an initiative of Pakistan Navy being co-organized by Badar Expo Solutions under the patronage of Ministry of Maritime Affairs to jump start. Blue Economy.

Maiden edition of PIMEC was conducted from 10-12 Feb 2023 at Karachi Expo Centre. During the event, an International maritime conference on Blue Economy was also held. Next edition of PIMEC 2025 will be a 4 day event scheduled at KEC from 3-6 Nov 25 (Monday to Thursday).

A total; of 143 x Exhibitors participated in PIMEC-2023 including 22 x international exhibitors from 12 x countries (China, Finland, France, Germany, Iraq, Italy, Netherlands, Oman, Singapore, Turkiye, UK and USA and 121 x Domestic exhibitors). As a result of business engagements 22 x MoUs/JVs amounting to US$ 400 M were signed during PIMEC-2023. In totality around 19,000 x visitors attended PIMEC-2023 including 159 foreign delegates from 52 countries.

PIMEC will focus on investment and collaboration in various maritime fields including Port operations, Ship design, building and repair, Ship Breaking, Fisheries and Aquaculture, Coastal Tourism, Marine Engineering Equipment and Maritime Infrastructure Development and Artificial Intelligence. PIMEC is also focusing on defence equipment, maritime training and education, Maritime Logistics and Sea Transportation, Seabed Resource Exploration, Renewable Energy and Environment Protection.

Maritime expo will showcase innovations, products and services. It will provide a platform for brand exposure to wide group of global audience from the maritime market. It will provide an opportunity to connect decision markers, end users and industry leaders. It will also help to create new business relationships and strengthen existing ones. It will highlight Maritime Potential and investment opportunities for the trade, businesses and investors visiting or participating in exhibition.

PIMEC serves as a tribute to Pakistan's growing maritime ambitions and a cornerstone of National Progress. The event will amplify Pakistan's strategic vision to become a regional maritime hub, fostering trade, security and innovation. It will reinforce national pride, educate masses on the maritime importance and attract, global investors.

On the eve of 2nd edition of PIMEC 2025, Pakistan Post is issuing the Commemorative Postage Stamp of Rs.30/- denomination on November 03, 2025.

78 Years of Oppression Kashmir Black Day, October 27, 2025 (2025-22)

The observance of Kashmir Black Day serves as a solemn reminder of one of the darkest chapters in South Asian history. On 27 October 1947, Indian forces landed in Jammu and Kashmir, igniting a conflict that continues to this day. That moment marked the beginning of a prolonged occupation, one that has deprived generations of Kashmiris of their inalienable right to self-determination. For seventy-eight years, the Kashmiri people have endured repression, dispossession, and the erosion of their political and cultural identity, yet their resolve remains unbroken. The commemoration of this day is not merely about recalling the past; it underscores the urgent need for a just resolution to a conflict that has festered for decades and remains a threat to regional and international peace.

The international community recognized early on that the future of Jammu and Kashmir could not be decided unilaterally. Between 1948 and 1957, the United Nations Security Council adopted a series of resolutions affirming that the territory's status must be determined through a free and impartial plebiscite conducted under UN auspices. Resolution 47 of April 1948 laid the foundation by calling for a ceasefire, withdrawal of forces, and a plebiscite to ascertain the will of the people. Subsequent resolutions reinforced this principle, making clear that the right to self-determination was central to resolving the conflict. However, despite these international commitments, successive Indian governments have evaded their obligations, insisting instead on unilateral solutions that contravene both international law and the spirit of multilateralism.

The human dimension of the Kashmir Conflict is perhaps its most poignant aspect. Independent observers, including the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Human Rights Watch, and Amnesty International, have documented grave and consistent violations in the region. Reports speak of arbitrary detentions, extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, sexual violence, and systemic suppression of freedoms of expression, assembly, and association. For decades, Indian Illegally occupies Jammu & Kashmir has been among the most militarized regions in the world, with nearly half a million troops stationed there. This massive security presence has turned everyday life into a cycle of fear and deprivation for ordinary Kashmiris. Yet despite such overwhelming pressure, the people of Kashmir have continued their struggle with remarkable courage, keeping alive their demand for dignity and self-determination.

The trajectory of the conflict changed significantly on 5 August 2019, when the Government of India unilaterally revoked Articles 370 and 35A of its Constitution, stripping IIOJK of the limited autonomy it had retained. This move was accompanied by a sweeping lockdown, unprecedented communication blackouts and mass arrests of political leaders, activists, and youth. Since then, India has pursued an accelerated program of demographic and political engineering in the region. This includes gerrymandering of electoral constituencies, granting of domicile certificates to non-Kashmiris, manipulation of voter rolls, and changes to property laws designed to settle outsiders in the region. Such measures are in clear violation of international law, including the Fourth Geneva Convention, which prohibits an occupying power from altering the demographic composition of occupied territory. Scholars and human rights organizations alike have characterized these actions as attempts to transform Kashmiris into a politically disempowered minority in their own homeland.

The consequences of these developments extend far beyond the region itself. The Kashmir Conflict has long been a flashpoint in South Asia, and its unresolved status poses a continuing risk to international security. Pakistan has consistently maintained that durable peace in South Asia cannot be achieved without a fair resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir Conflict in accordance with UN resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. Pakistan has extended diplomatic, political, and moral support to the Kashmiri cause since 1947, repeatedly raising the issue at the United Nations General Assembly and other international forums. Its position remains that dialogue, grounded in international law and multilateral commitments, is the only viable path to a peaceful settlement. However, India's insistence on treating Kashmir as an internal matter, despite its recognized international status, has prevented substantive progress.

The sacrifices of the Kashmiri people remain central to this narrative. Over the past seven decades alone, thousands of men, women, and children have lost their lives, and countless families have suffered displacement, trauma, and loss. Political leaders remain incarcerated, civil society is silenced, and media access is heavily restricted. Yet the people's resilience testifies to the depth of their conviction. Successive generations of Kashmiris have carried forward the struggle, refusing to relinquish their demand for self-determination despite overwhelming odds. Their resistance underscores the reality that no amount of force can extinguish the quest for freedom and dignity.

The international community cannot turn a blind eye to this prolonged human tragedy. The Kashmir Conflict is not an internal issue; it is a matter that the United Nations has formally recognized as requiring international mediation. There exists a legal obligation to implement the Security Council's resolutions, a moral duty to alleviate the suffering of millions of Kashmiris, and a strategic imperative to prevent conflict between two nuclear-armed states. Ignoring Kashmiris is not only a betrayal of promises made in the mid-twentieth century; it is a dangerous gamble with the stability of South Asia and beyond. The longer the conflict remains unresolved, the greater the potential for radicalization, instability, and humanitarian crises that could reverberate well beyond the region.

Marking 27 October as Kashmir Black Day is therefore both an act of remembrance and a call to action. It honors the courage and sacrifices of the Kashmiri people, who have faced repression with dignity and determination. It reminds the world of unfulfilled promises made by the international community, and it reaffirms Pakistan's solidarity with its Kashmiri brethren. Most importantly, it is a message that the struggle for justice cannot be silenced, and that peace in South Asia will remain elusive until the people of Jammu and Kashmir are allowed to decide their own future through a free and impartial plebiscite. The international community must play its part by holding India accountable for its human rights violations, demanding the reversal of unilateral measures taken in August 2019, and supporting practical steps toward the realization of the Kashmiri right to self-determination. Only then can the suffering of millions be alleviated, and only then can a durable and just peace take root in South Asia.

On the eve of 78 Years of Oppression, Kashmir Black Day, Pakistan Post is issuing the Commemorative Postage Stamp of Rs.30/- denomination on October 27th, 2025.