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.

150 Years of Faithful Service Pakistan Bible Society, December 28, 2013 (2013-25)

The beginning of the organized Bible work in the areas now comprising Pakistan can be traced as far back as 1809 one year after the formation of the Bible Society of India, Burma and Ceylon. There are some records of 1925 which mention Bible work in these areas. 1862 the second General Council of Indian Missionaries met at Lahore. The participants of this conference actually felt this need of establishing an office for the promotion of the Bible work with the prime purpose of serving the constituency of the Punjab.

Finally in January 1863 the efforts of the General Council of Indian Missionaries bore fruit and British & Foreign Bible Society inaugurated at the Punjab Auxiliary with its office at the present site of Anarkali, Lahore. At that time the population of Punjab was estimated to be 15 million of which 0.53% were literate. Some of the pioneers of the Punjab Auxiliary, which later on became the Pakistan Bible Society, were Sir Robert Montgomery, D.F. McLeod, Lt. Col. R. Maclagan and Mr. R. N. Kistin, at the commencement of the Bible work in 1863. The patron was the Honorable Sir, Robert Montgomery, the President was D. F. Macleod, Esq. the Vice Presidents were Lt. Col. R. Maclagan and R. N. Cust Esq. The first General Secretary and Treasurer was A. Thomason Esq.

The Punjab Auxiliary became the Pakistan Bible Society in 1947. East Pakistan too was looked after from Lahore. In 1956 The Pakistan Bible Society was registered under the registration of Societies Act 1860. The Government of Pakistan and the Punjab have always extended their fullest cooperation and have facilitated the Pakistan Bible Society in many ways. The year 1967 marks the end of an illustrious era and the beginning of another in the life of the Pakistan Bible Society. The (West) Pakistan Bible Society became an autonomous body and full member of the United Bible Societies on November 01, 1967.

The Pakistan Bible Society is an interdenominational organization serving all Churches in Pakistan. Its mandate is to serve all Churches without any discrimination, this means that all Christian sects are served equally. "Providing the Word of God in the language people can understand" is the primary purpose of the Pakistan Bible Society and the policy is to translate the Holy Bible without any doctrinal or denominationally bias comments. We thank God that the Pakistan Bible Society enjoys the confidence, trust and support of all the Churches in Pakistan. One good example is that we now print the Roman Catholic edition of the Bible and the Catholic Bible Commission has partnered with the Pakistan Bible Society in the production of three publications.

In the first year of the work of the society i.e. in 1863 there were 28 contributing members who subscribed Rs.1,183 and 12 annas. Ten years after independence in 1957 the local contribution was Rs. 16,826 and total distribution of Scripture was 59,367 units, which included 3,880 Bibles. In the first year of autonomy in 1968 circulation of Scriptures was 105,156 units, which included 4,116 copies of the Bible and the local contribution was Rs.30,418. In 2012 the Pakistan Bible Society raised six million rupees and distribution of Scriptures was 6,521,736 units of which 36,181 were Bibles.

Scriptures were either received direct from London from the British & Foreign Bible Society or from Lakhnow and Bombay. In 1964 a new beginning was made when local production of Scripture began with a printing of 10,000 copies of the Urdu New Testament for which paper and negatives came from England and the New Testament was printed at Mataba-e-Jadeed Press, Lahore. Now, except for the Bibles in Urdu and other languages including English all scriptures are being produced locally.

In 1992 computerizing the accounts and the Urdu Bible commenced. In 1997 computer assisted composing was initiated and now all our work from designing to typesetting is done in house. A good example is the Urdu New Testament with Notes, the Children's Bible and the Urdu Study Bible. In 2001 the Urdu Study New Testament went out which was entirely done by our team of translators, reviewers, along with guidance of United Bible Societies (UBS) consultants and designed and typeset by our department.

It would be unfair not to mention the names of some of the Pakistani General Secretaries who have served faithfully under the able guidance of the General Committee and its officers. Rt. Rev. Chandu Ray was instrumental for the translation projects in Sindhi. Mr. P. N. Joshua, Mr. Hector Ghauher Masih was catalyst in increasing Scripture circulation. In 1980 Mr. B. U. Khokhar began the race and in his tenure the office was renovated, the General Secretary's house purchased and the computerization of the Bible was also undertaken.

Mr. Anthony Aijaz Lamuel (the present General Secretary) took charge and under his leadership creative programmes for Youth were launched through the Sports festival which has grown and is regularly organized since 2000. It is now being held in Islamabad, Multan and Sheikupura besides Lahore. 2001-2010 was named the decade of the Bible. The Urdu Study New Testament is the first lap of this race; in 2003 we gave the Bible in a new format with computer typesetting. This edition had introduction to each book along with topic headings. The plan to setup the project of developing the Urdu study Bible took off and in 2010 the Urdu Study Bible was launched. Two different colourful editions of the children's Bible were also produced which have been well appreciated. The Urdu Greek interlinear with interpretation will also be a landmark. In closing, looking towards the third millennium, to continue to serve the Church in Pakistan.

On 150 Years of Faithful Service of Pakistan Bible Society, Pakistan Post is issuing a Commemorative Postage Stamp of Rs.8/- denomination on December 28, 2013.

Poets of Pakistan Series Perveen Shakir (1952-1994) December 26, 2013 (2013-24)

Perveen Shakir was born in Karachi on 24th of November, 1952. Her father's name was Syed Shakir Hussain. She received her education in Karachi, obtaining two Masters Degrees one in English Literature in 1972 and the other in Linguistics in 1980, both from Karachi University. She joined Abdullah Girls College, Karachi as lecturer in English Department in 1973 where she taught for nine years. She got married to Doctor Syed Naseer All, her aunt's son, in 1976 in 1979, she was blessed with a son, Syed Murad All Her married life ended in 1987 due to divorce. She never married again

Perveen Shakir qualified the Central Superior Services (CSS) examinations and joined Civil Services Academy in 1982. She was posted as Assistant Collector Customs, Karachi in 1984. She was posted as Second Secretary Central Board of Revenue, Islamabad in 1986.

In 1982, she graduated from John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard, USA with a master degree in Public Administration.

Perveen Shakir passed away on 26th December 1994 in a road accident when a passenger bus smashed her car at the crossing of Faisal Avenue and Margalla Road of Islamabad

Poetry of Perveen Shakir:

Perveen Shakir had a prominent place among her contemporary poets. She gained unprecedented popularity, admiration and acclaim from the general readers, literary critics, electronic media and press at a very young age.

Her poetry is initially based on romanticism and she expressed the intensity of a woman's emotions, particularly of a young girl, remarkably well. The landscape of feminine psyche has been very artistically portrayed by her. Main themes of her poetry include love, betrayal, beauty, devotion, solitude, separation, distrust and agony. Occasionally, her poetry focused on the contradictions inherent in a male dominated society

Perveen Shakir was not just a romantic poet. She was very much aware of the social and political issues prevalling in our society. Her political acumen is reflected in her work. She has expressed her concem in many of her poems as well as her columns Gosha-e-Chashm It pained her to see any kind of suffering and inequality. Her love for motherland is reflected in her poetry Pakistan was always very close to her heart. She was a patriot to the core

Spontaneity of expression, skilful use of metaphors & similes and simple diction are the main features of her poetry. She impressed her readers through her realistic poetry, novelty of style and creative excellence

Perveen Shakir was fully aware of the importance of classical heritage of poetry and she assimilated it well in her poetry. Eastern style is prominent in her poetry. Her verses reflect her deep psychological insight. She never lost her sweetness of expression even while focusing on the bitter realities of life

Her first colection of poetry (Khushboo) was published when she was just twenty live years old. It became so popular that the word "Khushboo" itself became the metaphor of Perveen's personality and a symbol of her poetry. Her second collection of poetry "Khud-Kalami" was also widely admired. In "Sad barg", her third poetic collection, collective consciousness and the realization of hard realities of life seemed emerging in her poetry. In "Inkaar", her fourth poetic collection, Perveen Shakir's creative personality appeared as even more mature, non-conformist and refusing the status quo. In "Kaf-e-Aina", her last poetry book, those ghazalyaat and poems are included which were collected from her diaries and other papers, after her death.

Books of Perveen Shakir:

Her first book "Khusboo" was published in 1977, "Sadbarg" in 1980, "Khud Kalami" in 1985, "Inkaar" in 1990, and "Mah-e-Tamam" in 1994.

The following of her books were published after her death: "Kaf-e-Aina", "Talking to Oneself", "Geeta Anjali" and "Gosha-e-Chashm".

Awards and Distinctions

Throughout of her life, Perveen Shakir received many awards and distinctions:

1. The Best Poet Award, by the United States Information Service (USIS), Karachi 1970

2. The Adamjee Award, for Best Poetry, for her book "Khushboo" Karachi in

3. A Gold Medal for the best poet of the year, at the Silver Jubilee celebrations of Sir Syed College for Women Karachi in 1979

4. Second Position in the Central Superior Service (CSS) Exam 1981

5. Best Probationer's Award, Civil Services Academy, Lahore 1982

6. Allama Iqbal Hijra Award for Poetry for her book "Khud Kalami" Lahore in 1985

7. Awarded the Zahoor Nazar Award for Urdu Nazm India in 1986

8. Selected as Member of the Writers Delegation by the Government of Pakistan to visit China in 1987

9. Graduate Award for best TV Compere (Literary Programmes), Lahore in 1988

10. Awarded the Faiz Ahmad Faiz International Award for Poetry, by the World Urdu Conference, New Delhi, India in 1989

11. Represented Pakistan in the 4th South Asian Poetry Festival, Dhaka, Bangladesh in 1989

12. Selected as Fullbright Scholar-in-Residence, Hartford Consortium for Higher Education, Hartford, Conn. USA in 1990

13. Received the Thomas Jefferson Fellowship for Edward S. Mason Program, to study at the J.F.K. School of Government, Harvard University, Mass, USA in 1991

14. Received the President's Award for Pride of Performance for Literature, in 1991

15. Recommended for conferment of Sitara-e-Imtiaz in 1993

After her death, following awards were given to her:

1. Nishan-e-Fazeelat, by the Old Students Society of Karachi University, UNIKARIANS in 1995

2. All Pakistan Newspaper APNS 12th Journalist Award (13th Annual), Lahore in 1995

3. Shield of Recognition by the Karachi Women's Peace Committee on International Women's Day, 50 Years in Pakistan in 1997

4. Golden Women of Pakistan Award by the Ladies Forum, Karachi in 1997

5. Life Time Achievement Award in the field of poetry and for her untiring endeavors in bringing life to the Federal Capital by the Takshila Margalla Festival Award, Islamabad in 2004

On Poets of Pakistan Series Perveen Shakir, Pakistan Post is issuing a Commemorative Postage Stamp of Rs. 10/- denomination on December 26, 2013.

Two Decades of Extended Cooperation Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) November 28, 2013 (2013-23)

The year 2013 marks the two decades of ECO's expansion from a three-member regional forum to an expanded regional grouping of ten countries. This happy family of key contiguous countries of our region is bound together by many a commonality. The shared ties of faith and culture, history and geography, also converging interests in diverse fields lay at the root of the decision made two decades ago to create this key regional organization.

ECO has grown in strength and substance over the past two decades. Today, it encompasses key areas of trade and transport, industry and agriculture, energy and communication as well as education and banking. Public awareness about its activitiesplus the visibility and uplifting of the image of the organization is highly crucial for its continued success. Designing of a unifiedstamp by all the ECO Members for the commemoration of 2 decades of cooperation would enhance the realization of those objectives.

To commemorate Two Decades of Extended Cooperation of ECO, Pakistan Post is issuing a Commemorative Postage Stamp of Rs.25/- denomination, on November 28, 2013.

Men of Letters Series Jon Elia (1931-2002) November 8, 2013 (2013-22)

Jon Elia was a renowned Pakistani Urdu poet and a notable philosopher and scholar. He was born on December 14, 1931 in Amroha, India. His father's name was Shafiq Hasan Elia who was a literary person, astrologer and scholar of his time. Jon Elia was the younger brother of famous journalist and literary figure Rais Amrohvi and the world fame philosopher, Syed Muhammad Taqi. Jon Elia migrated to Pakistan in 1957, and settled in Karachi.

During his teen age, Jon Elia used to do dramatic presentations of the early Muslim period. According to him, his early poetry reflected the dialogue nature of stage drama. In the preface of his first collection of poetry "Shayad", he revealed that he was quite fond of theatre in his teen age. There was a small drama club in Amroha, named Bazm-i-Haq, where stage plays were organized regularly based on Islamic history. Jon Elia got extremely involved in such plays. He tried to establish his own drama club and scripted and stage his own play for it. Jon wrote many socialistic poems in those days, and acknowledged this fact later that it was the influence of drama that the dialogue and conversational element became his style in his poetry.

He belonged to an intellectual family where the discussions on poetry. logic, philosophy, history and religion were like a passion. This literary environment of his home and his family traditions were quite conducive to ignite a spark of poetry in him. Though Jon proved to be a brilliant poet of Urdu Ghazal but he also proved his mettle in Nazm, Hamd, Natt, Noha, Marsia, Qaseeda, Qawali, Shehr-e-Ashob, etc.

Jon Elia had a thorough command over language and used it artistically. His diction is wrapped in the classical tradition. He became renowned as a distinguished Urdu poet thanks to his very different and unmatched style. He had a thorough grasp over Urdu, Persian, Arabic, Sanskrit and Hebrew. His Knowledge of philosophy, logic, Islamic history, the Muslim Sufi tradition, and western literature was vast which gave a distinguished color and a touch of beauty to his poetry.

Jon Elia invented many new metrical schemes in his poetry. He also produced hundreds of unusual phrases. He used well-rhymed Nazms and free-verse poems. He had a remarkable command over the form and content. In Jon Elia's poetry one can see superb synthesis of the traditional and the modern verse. In his poetry, he showed excellent grip over writing verses in "sehl-e-mumtana".

He was a romantic poet with a vision. He always tried to take along laymen in his literary pursuits.

He wrote excellent poems reflecting his ideological views though it is unfortunate that his poems were overshadowed by his ghazals. The existential foundations of his poetry slowly dragged him towards nihilism, which can be seen in his poems like "Aziyyat kee yaddasht", "Burj-i-Babul", "Saza", "Shehr Aashob" etc.

In Mushairas (poetic gatherings) he almost always dominated the other poets and kept on enthralling the audience. In such gatherings, he sometimes used to make a small introductory speech before the start of his poetry which always energized the listeners, even during the mundane sessions. He had his own peculiar style to recite poetry in mushairas which became so popular that many young poets tried to copy it.

Numerous young poets looked at him for guidance and inspiration and a large number of writers and poets were benefitted from him. He had become an icon for many even during his life time.

Though he worte abundantly, but he had no inclination to publish his work. His first poetry collection" Shayad" was published in 1991, when he was almost sixty years old. His poetry in " Shayad sparkled his name in the world of Urdu poetry. His preface of this book is a beautiful example of his refined Urdu prose which also throws enough light on the culture he lived in and his frame of mind.

"Ya'ani" was the second collection of his poetry published in 2003 after his death. After this, one of his close friend Khalid Ansari, compiled and published three of his collections. "Gumaan" in 2004. "Lekin" in 2006 and "Gaya" in 2008.

Jon Elia was also remained active in translation, editing and other activities.

His translation of various Mautazalite treatises, a book on Hasan Bin Sabah, and various writing on the Ismaili sect in Islam can be regarded as his prominent contributions to urdu literature.

He also used to edit Urdu literary magazine "Insha". Jon Elia was married to Zahida Hina, a famous columnist. He had two daughters and a son from her. Jon and Zahida were divorced in the mid-1980s.

Throughout of his life, Jon remained a man of principles. He was courageous enough to raise his voice of protest and dissent whenever he saw something happening against his conscience.

He was a chronic TB patient since his mid-50s and but he managed to survive thanks to sheer will power. Jon died after a prolonged illness on 8 November 2002 in Karachi.

On Men of Letters Series Jon Elia, Pakistan Post is issuing a commemorative postage stamp of Rs.8/-denomination on November 8, 2013.

Music Maestros Princess-e-Service of Noor Jahan (1926-2000) September 21, 2013 (2013-21)

Noor Jahan (Real name Allah Wasai) was born on September 21, 1926 in a Muslim family in Kasur.

She was an illustrious and legendary singer and actress who started her career from the film industry of British India and then continued it in Pakistan. She became extremely famous as one of the greatest singers of her time in South Asia and was given the title of Malika-e-Tarannum i.e. the queen of melodies.

She was born in a Punjabi family of musicians. Though her parents wanted to see her excelled as singer but she was more inclined towards acting in films and performed in the earliest Pakistani films. She sung almost 10,000 songs in Urdu, Hindi, Punjabi and Sindhi languages. Along with Ahmed Rushdi, she holds the highest record of film songs in the history of Pakistani cinema. She became the first ever female Pakistani film director.

Noor Jahan started to sing at the age of five or six years and showed her interest in various styles, including traditional folk and popular theatre. Her mother sent her to receive early training in classical singing under. At the age of nine, she drew the attention of Punjabi musician Ghulam Ahmed Chishti who composed some ghazals, naats and folk songs for her to perform. She pursued a career in singing in Lahore.

Jahan's family moved to Calcutta for the sake of movie career for her sisters. There, renowned singer Mukhtar Begum recommended them to various producers and her husband, Agha Hashar Kashmiri, who owned a theatre. It was here that she received the stage name Baby Noor Jahan.

She acted in various successful movies including "Pind di Kuri", "Missar Ka Sitara", "Heer-Sayyal", "Khandaan", "Duhai", "Bari Maa" and "Mirza Sahibaan".

In 1945, she sung a Qawwali which was the first ever Qawwali recorded in female voices in South Asian films.

After the creation of Pakistan in 1947, Jahan and husband Shawkat Rizvi decided to move to Pakistan and settled in Karachi.

Noor Jahan starred in her first film in Pakistan, "Chan wey" in 1951. Shaukat and Noor Jahan directed this film together making Noor Jahan Pakistan's first female director.

In 1953-54, Jahan and Rizvi were divorced and she married an actor, Ejaz Durrani.

Noor Jahan give up action and her penultmate film as an actress/singer was "Mirza Ghalib" (1961). This decision enhanced her stature as singer. She last acted in film "Baaji" in 1963.

Noor Jahan left action in 1963 after a career of 33 years. She made 14 films in Pakistan, ten in Urdu, four in Punjabi.

After renouncing her acting career, she started playback singing. She sang a large number of duets with Ahmed Rushdi, Mehdi Hassan, Masood Rana, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Mujeeb Aalam.

She was an equally proficient ghazal singer. With rigorous training in classical music, Noor Jahan employed the essential features necessary to present the ghazal in an exceptional manner. Her popularity was further boosted with her patriotic songs during the 1965 war between Pakistan and India.

She died on December 23, 2000 at the age of 74.

On Music Maestros- Malika-e-Tarannum Noor Jahan, Pakistan Post is issuing a commemorative postage stamp of Rs.8/-denomination on September 21, 2013.

International Breast Cancer Awareness (Pinktober) October 14th, 2025 (2025-21)

Breast Cancer Awareness and Control:- Breast cancer has become one of the most pressing public health challenges in Pakistan. Current statistics highlight the scale of the problem: one out of every nine women in Pakistan is at risk of developing breast cancer; nearly 90,000 new cases are diagnosed each year; and approximately 40,000 women lose their lives annually. With the highest incidence rate across Asia, Pakistan carries an alarming disease burden, where almost 70% of patients reach hospitals at stage III, when survival chances are minimal.

Scientific evidence underscores that if breast cancer is detected at an early stage, survival rates can reach up to 90%. This makes prevention, awareness, and early detection the most powerful tools available to counter the crisis. Recognizing this, the Government of Pakistan has progressively aligned its health policies to incorporate breast cancer as a national priority.

Government's Recognition and Policy Integration:- Over the past two decades, sustained advocacy and community awareness have brought breast cancer out of the shadows of taboo into the national health agenda. This transition is significant, as it reflects a policy shift where breast cancer is no longer treated merely as a private medical concern, but as a systemic challenge requiring government-led solutions.

The Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, in consultation with provincial health departments, has taken steps to integrate cancer prevention and treatment into the broader primary and secondary healthcare framework. Initiatives such as mobile screening units, early detection awareness campaigns, and inclusion of breast health in women's primary healthcare consultations mark the beginning of a more structured national response.

1. Strategic Interventions

Ø  National Screening and Early Detection Expansion of mammography and diagnostic services through public hospitals.

Ø  Integration of breast examination and awareness into Lady Health Worker (LHW) programmes to ensure outreach to rural and underserved communities.

Ø  Establishment of clear referral pathways from primary to tertiary healthcare facilities.

2. Awareness Campaigns

Ø  Launch of sustained, nationwide public awareness drives highlighting the importance of self-examination and early medical consultation.

Ø  Leveraging national media platforms, including radio, television, and digital media, to ensure consistent messaging across all provinces and regions.

Ø  Engagement of schools, universities, and workplaces to instill awareness in younger demographics, thereby creating generational change in health-seeking behaviors.

3. Capacity Building

Ø  Training of doctors, nurses, and paramedics in specialized oncology care, counselling, and palliative support.

Ø  Development of specialized units in teaching hospitals dedicated to breast health and oncology.

Ø  Inclusion of mental health support and counselling services within treatment protocols to address the emotional impact on patients and families.

4. Infrastructure Development

Ø  Strengthening oncology departments in tertiary care hospitals across provinces.

Ø  Establishment of dedicated breast cancer facilities in regional hubs to reduce travel and financial burden on patients.

Ø  Long-term plans to build specialized centers of excellence in collaboration with medical universities and research institutions.

Role of Civil Society:- While government policy remains the backbone of national response, civil society initiatives have played a valuable supporting role. Organizations such as Pink Ribbon have, over the years, contributed to breaking the silence surrounding breast cancer, raising awareness, and facilitating patient support programmes. Their work complements state initiatives and underscores the importance of consistent advocacy in sustaining national attention on this issue.

Annual Observance and Awareness Mobilization:- The observance of October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month (Pinktober) provides an opportunity to mobilize all stakeholders around a unified national campaign. Under government leadership, Pinktober is increasingly being recognized as a national health observance, ensuring visibility at the highest levels of state. Official endorsements, public service messaging, and national-level events contribute to making breast cancer awareness part of public discourse.

This observance also reinforces the need for year-round action. Awareness must not be limited to one month in the calendar; instead, Pinktober should act as a launchpad for continuous, sustainable interventions across all provinces and communities.

Challenges and Way Forward:- Despite progress, Pakistan continues to face challenges:

Ø  Late Detection: A large majority of women report symptoms at advanced stages due to stigma, lack of knowledge, or poor access to healthcare.

Ø  Geographic Disparities: Rural populations remain underserved, with screening and diagnostic services concentrated in urban centers.

Ø  Financial Barriers: High costs of treatment make it inaccessible to lower-income groups, necessitating expansion of free or subsidized care.

Ø  Cultural Barriers: Social taboos and misconceptions about breast health continue to discourage open conversations and timely medical intervention.

To address these, a stronger, government-led national response is required. The way forward should emphasize:

Ø  Institutionalizing breast cancer screening and awareness in all public health facilities.

Ø  Ensuring budgetary allocations within federal and provincial health strategies dedicated specifically to breast cancer control.

Ø  Expanding public-sector treatment facilities with subsidized or free services for low-income patients.

Ø  Engaging educational institutions for youth-focused awareness programmes.

Ø  Establishing a robust data collection and cancer registry system to guide evidence-based policymaking.

Conclusion:- Breast cancer is both preventable and treatable, provided it is addressed with urgency and coordinated policy. Pakistan has made significant strides in acknowledging it as a national priority, but the challenge requires sustained action. Government leadership, institutional support, and continuous awareness are, the pillars upon which success depends.

The focus must remain clear: every woman in Pakistan deserves access to knowledge, screening, and treatment that can save her life. By placing breast cancer firmly within the national health agenda and ensuring implementation of structured interventions, Pakistan can move toward reducing mortality, improving survival rates, and ultimately transforming breast cancer from a fatal disease into a manageable health condition.

On International Breast Cancer Awareness Month (#Pinktober), Pakistan Post is issuing the Commemorative Postage Stamp and Souvenir Sheet of denomination Rs. 30/-on October 14th, 2025.

World Dyslexia Awareness Day. October 8th, 2025 (2025-20)

Dyslexia is a learning disability in reading affecting kids and adults alike. People with Dyslexia have trouble reading at a good pace and without mistakes. They may also have a hard time with reading comprehension, spelling, writing and at times sequential memory. It is estimated that Dyslexia is estimated to have a prevalence of 5% to 17% among school-age children. Children with Dyslexia have difficulty in learning to read as they mix letters and remember spellings. Dyslexia is caused by differences in the way the brain processes language, making it harder to connect letters with sounds and recognize words automatically. It does not result from vision or hearing problems. Also, it is not due to mental retardation, brain damage, or a lack of intelligence. It has to be understood that Dyslexia is not a mental disorder and has nothing to do with the IQ of the individual.

In 1877, German neurologist Adolf Kussmaul was the first to identify a phenomenon which he named Wortblindheit (word-blindness). 10 years later, Rudolf Berlin, a German ophthalmologist coined the term "Dyslexia" which has Greek roots for "difficulty with words". Over the years, countless studies have researched Dyslexia, concluding it is not a disability at all, but those with it think differently. In 2002, MRIs done by professionals at Yale University found that the brains of people with Dyslexia worked differently as compared to ordinary people. Many individuals with Dyslexia are also highly creative and great at thinking outside the box.

It is important to remember that diagnosis of Dyslexia is just not the end of the academic road of an individual. Every Dyslexic individual sees and learns about the world from a different perspective. Historians feel it's possible that many major figures from the past had learning and thinking differences. However, it's hard to know for sure about people who lived 100 years ago or more as there aren't enough records. But here are some accomplished individuals who made a big impact on history, from centuries past to more recent times. They overcame challenges and may inspire our children to do the same.

Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519). As an artist, inventor, scientist, engineer, and writer, Leonardo da Vinci had many talents. He also had interesting habits, like writing backward, spelling strangely, and not following through on projects. Today, we understand that these traits can all be characteristics of Dyslexia and other learning and thinking differences. Whether or not he had Dyslexia, Leonardo used his strengths to earn a place as one of history's greatest geniuses.

Alexander Graham Bell (1847-1922). Bell reinvented the field of communications by creating the first telephone. But years earlier, he struggled in school. Even though he was gifted at problem solving, it's thought that he had trouble reading and writing, possibly as a result of Dyslexia. He was eventually homeschooled by his mother. With her help, Bell learned to manage his challenges and he went on to change the world.

Thomas Edison (1847-1931). School didn't come easily for Edison, either. He was considered "difficult". Historians believe he may have had Dyslexia. But his appetite for knowledge was huge. He developed effective ways to study and learn on his own. As a result, Edison's unique way of tackling problems helped him make history. He shaped modern life by inventing the phonograph, the motion picture camera, and the light bulb.

Albert Einstein (1879-1955). Einstein was well known for his brilliance in math and physics but he also struggled with language difficulties, leading some people to suggest he may have had Dyslexia. He had extremely delayed speech and didn't speak fluently until he was 6 years old. Einstein also had problems getting his thoughts down, retrieving language and reading out loud, all characteristic signs of Dyslexia. Nobel laureate of 1921 in physics, his contributions in theoretical Physics demonstrated a unique and novel approach to problem solving which is one of the strengths associated with Dyslexia.

Pablo Picasso (1881-1973). According to many accounts, the world-famous artist may have had Dyslexia. He expressed feelings that many kids who learn and think differently have. "Don't think I didn't try (to learn at school)," he said. "I tried hard. I would start but immediately be lost." Fortunately, his father, an art teacher, encouraged him to develop his artistic talents. His unique vision of the world came through in his powerful works of art. The rest is art history.

Muhammad Ali (1942-2016). One of the greatest boxers of all time, Muhammad Ali struggled with Dyslexia. He has said he could barely read his high school textbooks. Nonetheless, he managed to graduate. He became an Olympic gold medallist at the age of 18 and he was world heavyweight boxing champion at 22. He is also remembered today for having strong principles. He refused to fight in the Vietnam War, even though this damaged his sports career.

Design Elements

Ø  All the main inscriptions on the stamp have been done using red colour as red is accepted as the colour associated to Dyslexia awareness. The dreaded red, a colour many kids have seen throughout their education has been re-appropriated. The red pen used to highlight mistakes is all too familiar for Dyslexics around the world. Dyslexia Associations have chosen this colour to take back its meaning and globally promote Dyslexia awareness.

Ø  Scrambled text reading "You may find this hard to read. Imagine if everything you read looked like this" and mirror imaged E in Dyslexia on the stamp stimulates the experience of reading with Dyslexia.

Ø  PAKISTAN (in English) has been inscribed in the font created by Daniel Britton, a graphic designer who himself is a Dyslexic. His created typeface removes parts of the alphabets to illustrate the difficulties faced in reading by Dyslexics by breaking down the reading time of a non-dyslexic down to the speed of a Dyslexic by removing around 40% of each letter. This slows down the user's reading experience to the speed of a Dyslexic, thus recreating the frustration and embarrassment of everyday reading of a Dyslexic.

Ø  Dyslexia symbol has been used on the labels and on the postmark for this issue. Formed with the letters pq bd, the symbol is inspired by Dyslexics and how they process information differently in ways that provide advantages in reasoning and understanding relationships.

Ø  The unorthodox First Day Cover is crafted by Youshay, a diagnosed 12-year-old Dyslexic to raise awareness about the topic.

On the occasion of World Dyslexia Awareness Day on 8th October 2025, Pakistan Post is issuing a Commemorative Postage Stamp and a Souvenir Sheet valued at Rs. 30/- denomination each. It is pertinent to mention here that Pakistan Post is the first postal organization in the World to issue a stamp on Dyslexia Awareness Day.