"New Political Map of Pakistan - 2020" December 25, 2020 (2020-11)

 

1. After revoking Article 370 on 5 August 2019, India issued new Political Map which included Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJ&K) and Gilgit Baltistan (GB) as part of Indian occupied territories. Apropos, Government of Pakistan approved new Political Map of

Pakistan on 4 August 2020 while considering following aspects:-

a. New map should reflect aspirations of the people of Pakistan - a reference for future generations.

b. To show Pakistan's stated position with respect to Jammu & Kashmir, Siachin and Sir Creek.

c. To highlight illegal occupation of Jammu & Kashmir by India.

d. Correction / reiteration of historic stance on Jammu & Kashmir while projecting Pakistan's perspective both inland & abroad -The Kashmir cause.

2. To commemorate this historical milestone, it is recommended that a special postal stamp depicting new Political Map of Pakistan be issued on 25 December 2020. The stamp shall depict the changes made in the new Political Map of Pakistan as elaborated below:-

a. Complete Jammu & Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan shown as part of Pakistan with International Border marked accordingly.

b. Complete Jammu & Kashmir including Gilgit Baltistan (including Indian Occupied Parts) shown in one distinct. colour.

c. Gilgit-Baltistan regional boundary with rest of Jammu & Kashmir drawn distinctly.

d. Following annotation written within Indian Occupied Part:-

Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (Disputed Territory-Final Status to be decided in line with relevant UNSC Resolutions)

e. Line of Control (LOC) marked in red dotted line in accordance with own stance with respect to line north of point NJ 9842 up to Karakoram Pass. Annotation indicating LOC as under:-

"The red dotted line represents approximately the line of control in Jammu & Kashmir.  he state of Jammu & Kashmir and its accession is yet to be decided through plebiscite under the relevant United Nations Security Council Resolutions."

f. A word AJK written along LOC with following annotation:-

"AJK stands for Azad Jammu & Kashmir as defined in the AJK Interim Constitution Act, 1974."

g. Working Boundary marked with appropriate annotation. h. Annotation for FRONTIER UNDEFINED added:-

"Actual boundary in the area where remark FRONTIER UNDEFINED appears, would ultimately be decided by the sovereign authorities concerned after the final

settlement of the Jammu & Kashmir dispute."

i. Border with India on Sir Creek reflected as continuous riband Key "International boundary along the eastern bank of the Creek" added.

Pakistan Post is issuing a Speical Postage Stamp of Rs 20/- denomination on "New Political Map of Pakistan - 2020" December 25, 2020.

Pink Ribbon - Breast Cancer Awareness. November 11, 2020 (2020-10)

 

Statistics of Breast Cancer in Pakistan

a.    1 out of 9 women is at risk of having breast cancer in Pakistan

b.    40,000 women die from breast cancer every year in Pakistan

c.    Average 90,000 cases are diagnosed each year

d.    Over 10 million in Pakistan are at risk of Breast Cancer

e.    Pakistan has the highest rate of Breast Cancer in the whole of Asia.

f.     Breast Cancer's prevalence (38.5%) is highest amongst all cancers, in Pakistan.

g.    Around 70% of Breast Cancer patients come for treatment at stage III, therefore survival rate is very low in Pakistan.

h.    If detected at an early stage, the chance of surviving increases by up to 90%.

INTRODUCTION

Pink Ribbon Pakistan is a volunteer-driven, non-funded, self-sustained and the only organization in the country which is dedicatedly working on the issue of breast cancer with nationwide outreach since 2004.

We strive to significantly reduce breast cancer mortality in the country by creating widespread awareness through community engagement on prevention, early detection and increased access to treatment.

Our scope of work is holistic from strategic interventions to public awareness including patient-aid and service delivery.

To provide relief to poor people, we are setting up a dedicated Breast Cancer Hospital where deserving patients will get free of cost treatment under one roof.

VISION

We are envisioning a future where breast cancer victims will be treated with world  lass healthcare technology. We are setting up Pakistan's first dedicated BREAST CANCER HOSPITAL in Lahore which will, significantly, reduce breast cancer mortality in Pakistan. In our Journey towards a cancer free Pakistan, we are committed to build more breast cancer hospitals in the future.

MISSION

Our mission is to prevent and cure breast cancer by creating widespread awareness through community engagement on prevention, early detection and increased access to treatment.

BACKGROUND

At the outset in 2004, talking about Breast Cancer was not easy in the society where this fatal disease was largely associated with female sexuality, but Pink Ribbon campaigned so effectively that not only the taboo was broken and Breast Cancer was included in the narrative of mainstream media but also the government acknowledged the cause and made Breast Cancer a priority in national health agenda.

This impressive campaign of spreading Breast Cancer awareness and building alliances with public and corporate sector organization led Pink Ribbon win IPRA Frontline Golden World Award. Pink Ribbon continued its struggle over the years, achieving one milestone after another. Gradually, we moved from campaigning and advocacy to service delivery and launched National Breast Cancer Screen Program through Mobile Mammogram Units.

Realizing the utmost privation of quality healthcare facilities for Breast Cancer, Pink Ribbon laid the foundation of Pakistan's first dedicated Breast Cancer Hospital in 2017. The Hospital will be operational by June 2019. Support Pink Ribbon in this redemptive cause.

REACHING OUT TO THE COMMUNITY

We have empowered 12,000,000 women through community-based education on breast health, provided free clinical breast examination to 29,000 symptomatic patients, free mammograms to 3,700 of the poorest-of-the-poor women and educated at least 1,326,658, young girls, through direct interaction in 200 Universities and Colleges.

PROGRAMMES

Prevention

Healthy Lifestyle Campaign (a Healthy lifestyle can lower the risk of breast cancer)

Studies shows that around 40% of breast cancer are preventable by adopting healthy lifestyle. Researches reveal that diet, nutrition and physical activity affect the cancer risk including breast cancer. Pink Ribbon's focus is now on prevention so women and girls who are at risk of developing breast cancer can be saved by this ailment.

Awareness Program:

Early Detection Campaign

Early Detection Can Save lives

Lack of awareness causes a delay in detection, that's why 70% of our women reach to hospitals at stage III of cancer leading to more deaths.

Youth Engagement Programme

To educate young girls on breast self-examination techniques.

Community Outreach Programme

To empower women and girls with life-saving techniques of early detection.

PINKtober

Annual month long awareness campaign that focuses on all the stakeholders to gather maximum support for the issue of breast cancer.

Patient Support Programme

Advisory services

We advise, support, and connect patient to a best suitable health facility.

Counseling

Emotional support

The Survivor Programme

Treatment

National Screening

Provided free mammograms to 3700 poorest of the poor women

Medical Co-Pay Assistance Programme

Setting up Pakistan's first dedicated breast cancer hospital to provide free

of cost treatment to deserving patients.

Pink Ribbon - Breast Cancer Awareness, Pakistan Post is issuing a Speical Postage

Stamp of Rs 20/- denomination November 11, 2020.

75th Anniversary of United Nations. October 24, 2020 (2020-9)

 

The United Nations was two years old when Pakistan was born. In 1945, Fifty one nations of the world, expressed determination to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war; reaffirmed faith in fundamental human rights, dignity and worth of the human person, equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small; and determined to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom. With this preamble the United Nations Charter came into force on 24 October 1945.

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 United Nations 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.

As the United Nations turns 75 today, Pakistan joins the international community in rejoicing its achievements and reflecting on the setbacks. Indeed, the achievements and setbacks of the United Nations are a manifestation of the success and failures of its Member States.

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 United Nations.

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 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 honor and professionalism in 46 missions over six decades. Moreover, 157 brave Pakistani peacekeepers have offered supreme sacrifice for world peace.

Pakistan has served seven terms as members of the Security Council, piloting important Resolutions and Presidential Statements. Pakistan is also a leading voice for reform of the Security Council to make it more democratic, inclusive and accountable.

Pakistan's contributions to the United Nations are as old as the country itself. The authors of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, adopted by the General Assembly in 1948, included a Pakistani woman delegate of distinction. Since then, Pakistan has helped evolve the United Nations' discourse on human rights as a member of the Human Rights Commission and later as a founding member of the Human Rights Council, where it has served four terms since its inception in 2006.

As host to the largest protracted refugee population, Pakistan has contributed immensely to the United Nations' humanitarian efforts. Pakistan is internationally recognized for hosting millions of refugees and migrants for decades and in offering opportunities for their health, education and employment. Prime Minister of Pakistan co-convened a Global Refugee Forum in 2019. Pakistan has also donated generously to the World Food Program and a number of United Nations-led humanitarian relief efforts across the globe.

In the seventy-fifth anniversary year of the UN, Pakistan is proud to be elected as President of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). Strengthening the development pillar of the United Nations has been a constant endeavor for Pakistan. As a founding member and Chair of the Group of 77, we have strived to amplify the voice of the developing countries in the United Nations decision-making in trade, development and finance. Pakistan's leadership of ECOSOC will be focused on ameliorating the suffering of the developing countries fighting COVID-19, and assisting in financing for Sustainable Development Goals and addressing climate

change. We will also focus on sustainable infractucture development, application of advanced science and technology for sustained, efficient and sustainable growth, debt relief for developing countries and fighting illicit financial flows.

Whilst the promise of the UN-administered plebiscite in Jammu and Kashmir remains unfulfilled, the United Nations and its various bodies remain seized 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 international 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 75th anniversary is a solemn reminder to the United Nations and international community to fulfill its promise to the people of Jammu and Kashmir to grant them their fundamental right of self-determination.

To Celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the United Nations' Pakistan Post is issuing a Commemorative Postage Stamp of Rs 20/- denomination on October 24, 2020.

Services To The Cause of Creation of Pakistan of Miangul Abdul Haq Jahanzeb Former Wali of Swat State. September 14, 2020, (2020-8)

 

Miangul Abdul Haq Jahanzeb was born on the 5th of June 1908 in Saidu Sharif, Swat to Miangul Abdul Wadood, who himself was the grandson of the Akhund of Swat, locally known as Saidu Baba, a sufi saint who was held in very high regard and respect in the area. In 1917 Swat became a formal Princely State, one of about 560 states in the then British India, with Miangul Abdul Wadood being appointed as the ruler under the title of The Wali Of Swat. Miangul Jahanzeb went to the Islamia Collegiate in Peshawar for his education and after receiving his FA degree in 1926 he was called back by his father, to assist in the administration of Swat State, In the same year the British Indian Government accorded official recognition to Swat State. In 1933 Miangul Jahanzeb was appointed the Heir Apparent (Crown Prince) by his father and was so recognized by a ceremony attended by the British Political Agent. After that Miangul Jahanzeb was made the head of the State Armed Forces and handed over Executive Authority of the State. After 1940, it was clear that The Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah was determined to create a independent Muslim State and he needed all types of resources and help from all segments of the Muslim population of the then India.

In 1947, on the appeal of The Quaid, The State of Swat donated the sum of Rupees Four lacs to the cause of the Referendum that was to be held in the then North West Frontier Province in July of that year. In acknowledgement of this contribution The Quaid wrote a letter of appreciation to the Wall of Swat dated 28th July 1947, the exhibit of which is attached. Upon the creation of Pakistan, The Quaid once again appealed to the Wali of Swat for funds to which the State of Swat responded by given a handsome donation, which is also acknowledged by The Quaid in his letter dated 2nd October 1947. This cash donation was also accompanied by material in the form of blankets for the Muhajareen.

Pakistan had inherited an ill equipped armed forces and the need to buy weapons was the dire need of the hour and as such the Government of Pakistan once again appealed to Swat State for help. In return The Wali of Swat donated the equivalent of British Pounds 12,000 towards the purchase of the most advanced fighter aircraft at the time, called FURY, for induction in the Royal Pakistan Air Force. The aircraft was subsequently named JAHANZEB. The letter of acknowledgement of the then Secretary of Defence of the Government of Pakistan is attached.

In December 1949, Miangul Abdul Haq Jahanzeb the crown prince, was elevated to be WALI of Swat upon the abdication of his father, and for the official recognition The then Prime Minister of Pakistan, Nawabzada Liaquat Ali Khan was in attendance in Swat.

The State of Swat also sent a substantial force to make up the lashkar for the liberation of Kashmir for which The Wali was given the award of Ghazi e Millat.

The Wali upon the appeal of the government of NWFP also provided teaching staff for the schools and colleges in Peshawar.

The Wali of Swat also provided the forces of The Swat State Army to fight besides the Pakistan Army in the 1965 war with India.

For his services for Pakistan, The Wali of Swat was bestowed by the Government the awards of Hilal-e-Pakistan and the Hilal-e-Quaid-e-Azam.

For the services towards education the University of Peshawar bestowed upon The Wali the Hon Degree of Doctor of Laws.

In July 1969, the State of Swat was merged with the then NWFP and in September 1987, Miangul Abdul Haq Jahanzeb passed away of natural causes.

On the services to the cause of creation of Pakistan of Miangul Abdul Haq Jahanzeb Former Wali of Swat State, Pakistan Post is issuing a Commemorative Postage Stamp of Rs 20/- denomination September 14, 2020.

Silver Jubilee of Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital & Research entre. Lahore. August 06, 2020 (2020-7)

 

Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre (SKMCH&RC) is a state-of-the-art cancer centre located in Lahore, Pakistan. SKMCH&RC, Lahore was the very first project of the Shaukat khanum Memorial Trust, which is a charitable organization established under the Societies Registration Act XXI of 1860 of Pakistan. The Hospital has recently completed 25 years of serving humanity and providing world-class treatment to all cancer patients, 75% of whom are underprivileged and who could not otherwise hope to access such expensive cancer treatment.

Mission Statement

To act as a model institution to alleviate the suffering of patients with cancer through the application of modern methods of curative and palliative therapy irrespective of their ability to pay, the education of health care professionals and the public and perform research into the causes and treatment of cancer.

Inspiration for making the Hospital

Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre is the brainchild of Pakitan's Cricket World Cup winning captain and now the Prime Minister of Pakistan. Mr. Imran Khan. The inspiration to build the Hospital came after his mother, Mrs. Shaukat Khanum, succumbed to cancer in 1985. During his mother's illness, he also witnessed the plight of underprivileged cancer patients in the hospital of Pakistan and deeply felt the need for a specialized cancer centre in his country. Being a developing country, where the majority do not have access to even elementary health care facilities, cancer was considered the ultimate symbol of hopelessness and almost certain death. Prior to the establishment of SKMCH&RC in Lahore, no specialisted institution for the comprehensive treatment of cancer existed in Paklistan. Imran Khan decided to embark upon the journey of realizing his dream of making cancer care accessible to the people of his country, regardless of their ability to pay. Hence, began the story of enduring love of a son for his mother and of the passion of a nation.

Fundraising

After the first one and a half year of fundraising in 1990, when Imran Khan seemed to have exhausted all his resources, he turned to school children and launched a fundraising team of "Imran's Tigers". The Tigers ended up creating history. They stopped motorists at traffic lights and went from door to door to collect funds. They not only collected funds that enabled the construction of the Hospital but also created awareness among the public for the need of the nation's first cancer hospital.

Pakistan's win under Imran Khan's captaincy in the 1992 Cricket World Cup in Melbourne helped the fundraising efforts. However, by 1994, the project was still an uphill battle and at this point, donor fatigue had even exhausted the overseas Pakistanis. The Hospital was planned to open in 1994 but by the October of the same year, US $4 million were still needed to materialize this plan.

It was at this point that Imran Khan and his team decided to test the support of the ordinary Pakistanis. They set out on a successful Mass Contact Campaign which started from the middle of November and lasted till December 28, 1994. They toured twenty-nine cities and collected US $ 5 million in six weeks from the ordinary people of Pakistan. In the mornings, Imran Khan would address school assemblies and in the evenings, he would travel through the streets. The generosity of the people of Pakistan was truly inspiring. By the December of 1994, Imran Khan himself had given almost half of what he owned to the Hospital.

During the entire first phase of construction, over a million individual donors, from ordinary citizens to the rich and famous, donated everything from cash, jewellery. And other valuables, to help the first SKMCH&RC transform from a dream to a reality.

Master Plan

Dr. Nausherwan K. Burki MB, PhD, FRCP, FCCP developed the master plan for the hospital in 1990, while he was Professor of Medicine at the University of Kentucky. USA. He oversaw the building of the Hospital, which was designed by Graham Rapp of Arrasmith, Judd & Rapp, Architects in Health Planning, Louisville, Kentucky USA. Design details on site were handled by Messrs. Nayyar Ali Daada and Associates of Lahore. Local engineering was performed by Messrs. Progressive Consultants, Lahore.

Pakistan's first Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital an Research Center, located in Johar Town in Lahore, is built on a 20 acre site. It was planned in three. phases with the first one costing nearly US $ 22 million; nearly 67 percent of the required budget came in the form of donations.

Dr. Burki remains the Chief Medical Advisor and Member, Board of Governors, continuing to be involved with program development, quality control, and recruitment of consultant staff, as well as Professor of Medicine at the University of Gonnecticut Health Center, in Farmington, Connecticut, USA.

Inauguration

Finally, against all odds, after the completion of the first phase of the Hospital, Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre opened on December 29, 1994. Setting a new trend in Pakistan, the Hospital was not inaugurated by a VIP but by a ten-year old patient.

SKMCH&RC Today

Withstanding the test of time, Pakistan's first SKMCH&RC in Lahore is today staffed by highly competent professionals and has gone from strength to strength, treating thousands of patients over the years. Today, it stands as one of the best cancer centres in the world and it is proud to have earned Joint Commission International's Gold Seal of Approval for Hospital Accreditation. It is a unique cancer centre which has been built and operated for almost twenty-five years as a result of the support of the public, and which has consistently treated over 75% of its patients completely free.

Projects of Shaukat Khanum Memorial Trust

The Shaukat Khanum Memorial Trust has established a number of centres all across Pakistan that help in the awareness, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer in Pakistan. Hospitals

a.    Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre (Lahore, Pakistan), the first specialized cancer facility in the entire region with all the cancer diagnostic and therapeutic facilities under one roof, inaugurated on December 29, 1994.

b.    Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre (Peshawar, Pakistan), built according to the latest international healthcare standards, inaugurated on December 29, 2015.

c.    Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre (Karachi, Pakistan). The construction is planned to start within 2020, with commencement of clinical services expected within three years of the initiation of construction work.

Outreach Cancer Screening Clinics

a.    Shaukat Khanum Walk-In-Clinic (Karachi, Pakistan)

b.    Shaukat Khanum Walk-In-Clinic (Peshawar, Pakistan)

c.    Shaukat Khanum Walk-In-Clinic (Lahore, Pakistan) work.

Diagnostic Centres

a.    Shaukat Khanum Diagnostic Centre, Jail Road (Lahore, Pakistan)

b.    Karachi Diagnostic Centre and Clinic (Karachi, Pakistan)

c.    Shaukat Khanum Diagnostic Centre, Liberty (Lahore, Pakistan)

Laboratory Collection Centres

Nearly 200 Shaukat Khanum Labortary Collection Centres (all across Pakistan)

On Silver Jubilee of Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre (SKMCH&RC), Pakistan Post is issuing a Commemorative Postage Stamp of Rs 20/- denomination on August 06, 2020.

One Year of Indian Occupied Jammu & Kashmir Under Siege. August 05, 2020 (2020-6A)

 

Kashmiris have been resisting Indian state oppression ever since 1947. On 5 August 2019, India unilaterally and illegally attempted to alter the internationally recognized disputed status of Indian Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IOJ&K) in sheer contravention of international law and corresponding UNSC Resolutions. This illegal act was preceded by imposition of an unprecedented military siege and communication blockade that continue to date. The defenseless people of IOJ&K remain deprived of their fundamental human rights and freedoms including rights to life and health despite rampant deadly pandemic of COVID-19.

Government of Pakistan has constantly been sensitizing the international community through political, diplomatic and media outreach about ongoing Indian state-terrorism in IOJ&K. While innocent Kashmiris are still subjugated to military siege, a special postage stamp is issued on 5 August 2020 to mark 365 days of an unprecedented spate of arbitrary detentions, extrajudicial killings and other gross abuses of human rights in IOJ&K. The stamp depicts one of the worst incidents of Indian state-terrorism in IOJ&K as elaborated below:

a.    The Sketch of an innocent Kashmiri, Bashir Ahmed, who was martyred by Indian Security Forces on 1 July 2020 in Sopore, with his 3-years old grandson crying for his grandfather's life, reflect India's heartlessness and utter barbarity towards Kashmiris.

b.    Indian Soldier shooting an innocent Kashmiri infront of his grandson vindicates Pakistan's stance that India is perpetrating worst state-terrorism in IOJ&K.

c.    The Map of IOJ&K is bound by a barbed wire which symbolizes how Kashmiris are cut off from the rest of the world because of continued military siege and communication blockade in IOJ&K.

d.    Blood-stained figure 365 represents the number of days for which IOJ&K has been besieged by Indian security forces since illegal and unilateral actions of India on 5 August 2019.

e.    A blood-soaked cutter in the middle symbolizes the killing spree in IOJ&K by tyrant Indian forces, particularly after 5 August 2019.

f.     The wording "The Struggle continues" mentioned in the bottom left of the stamp, shows Kashmiris resolve to continue to fight for their freedom against all odds.

g.    Human figures in red and green colors at bottom depict Kashmiris. The red ones symbolize Kashmiri martyrs who lost their lives at the hands of fascist Hindu regime while striving for freedom; the greens are the ones still surviving Indian state-terrorism and are continuing struggle of their forefathers.

h.    "Kashmir Pakistan Ki Sheh Rug" written on the left side, depicts importance of Jammu & Kashmir for Pakistan and resonates our resolve that Pakistan will leave no stone unturned to rid our Kashmir brethren from the atrocious Indian rule.

i.      The overall frame of the postage has 52 border cuts showing that Kashmir is under brutal Indian siege for last 52 weeks.

j.      Rs 58, cost of the Stamp links it to 5th August (8th month of the last year) when India unilaterally and illegally revoked special status of IOJ&K through abrogation of Article 370 & 35-A, of Constitution of India.

On one year of Indian Occupied Jammu & Kashmir Under Siege, Pakistan Post is issuing a Special Postage Stamp of Rs. 58/- denomination on August 05, 2020.