25TH ANNIVERSARY CHILDREN'S VILLAGES OF PAKISTAN SOS. March 12, 2000 (2000-1)

 

SOS Children's Villages of Pakistan was established in 1975 and in the year 2000 will celebrate its 25th Anniversary. From the pilot project opened in Lahore in 1977, it has grown to 22 projects in different parts of the country.

The SOS Children's movement is a unique system of child care. The special features of SOS Children's Villages is that they are not traditional orphanages, they provide homes for orphans and abandoned children with a warm family type environment. An SOS Village provides children with loving care and instills in them a sense of confidence so that they live normal lives and develop to their full potential. This approach to the problem of orphan care has proved so successful that today SOS is the largest social welfare organization in the world. Presently there are 1462 SOS facilities in 138 countries, a large number being situated in Asia, Africa and South America.

As is the pattern throughout the world SOS has established facilities for the countries in which they operate according to the need. To ensure that the children receive a good education and also integrate with other children, community schools are established in conjunction with every SOS Children's Village project. These are providing quality education at a reasonable cost to underprivileged children from the locality.

Four basic principles form the basis of all work and provide the children a life as normal as possible a mother, brothers and sisters, a home and the Village.

The Mother is the person with whom the ultimate responsibility rests for meeting the child's physical and emotional needs, and providing essential love and care. In the final analysis the quality of care provided by the mother determines the success of our efforts.

Brothers and Sisters are essential in any family pattern. Boys and girls are kept together in the family homes till the boys reach adolescence. Real brothers and sisters are always kept together and accommodated in the same house.

The Home is the focal point of the Village. Here a child finds security, a feeling of belonging and having this own place in this world. An SOS home is a self-contained unit and is as close as possible to a normal home in all respects.

The Village is the community in which the child lives and finds shelter and support from other members of this 'family'.

Extra curricular activities are also organized in which the children enthusiastically participate. Activity areas according to age groups are included in the Village facilities. They are periodically taken on trips outside the Village and take part in many community activities with other children. In short, they are provided every opportunity to develop into happy, confident and well-adjusted personalities.

A special feature of SOS Children's Villages is that the organization takes responsibility for the children in its care till they are able to support themselves. After matriculation children both boys and girls receive career counseling. Higher education is provided to those with merit and otherwise technical education. The boys are cared for till they are capable of earning their livelihood and girls till such time as they are married. So far almost 200 children have been settled outside and the marriages of 25

girls arranged.

SOS Children's Villages of Pakistan is financed through the support of private individuals, philanthropic foundations and the corporate sector. Fund raising is an essential part of the work and donations are solicited for the donation of family homes in the Villages and of classrooms for the schools.

To celebrate the 25th anniversary, six more SOS Children's Villages will be established in Multan, Sialkot, Peshawar, Hyderabad, Muzaffarabad and Mirpur.

The generous support of the community has made it possible to achieve so much in 25 years and future plans include setting up more facilities in all parts of the country.

Contributed: President, SOS Children's Villages of Pakistan.

To celebrate the "25th Anniversary of SOS Village Pakistan Post Office is issuing one commemorative Postage siamp of Rs. 2/- denomination on March 12, 2000.

75th Anniversary of Establishment of Diplomatic Relations Between Pakistan & Netherlands. November 02, 2023 (2023-15)

 

1. Pakistan and the Netherlands enjoy friendly relations. Bilateral diplomatic relations were established on 28^th February 1948. The Dutch embassy with its seat at Karachi was established in Pakistan by a Royal decree on 14th July 1948. During the first few years a charge. d Affairs (a.i) Mr. M.P.M. van Karebeek (1948-1950) was appointed. In 1954, the Netherlands and Pakistan started to exchange ambassadors. On 11th January 1955, the first Dutch Ambassador, Dr. J. G. de Benus (1954- 1957), presented his credentials to the Governor-General of Pakistan Mr. Ghulam Muhammad. The Dutch embassy was later moved to Islamabad in 1967.

2. Meanwhile, in August 1950 Pakistan opened its Embassy in the Hague. On 21st August 1950. Mr.S. Lal Shah Bokhari arrived in the Netherlands as charge d Affairs (a.). In September 1954, the first Pakistani Ambassador Begum Ra'ana Liaquat Ali Khan came to the Hague and presented her credentials to Her Majesty the Queen Juliana on 20th September 1954.

3. In 1953, the Netherlands was inundated by sea water. Pakistan galvanized the entire nation to help the Dutch people and donated 2000 kgs of Tea to the Netherlands. Pakistan's support to the Dutch in 1953 has been widely recognized by the senior generation and in 2003, the Dutch Prime Minister officially sent a letter acknowledging Pakistan's support. During the 2010 floods in Pakistan, the Dutch Government provided US$4 million to the World Food Programme (WFP), for buying and transporting food packages to some 6 million people in Pakistan. In the wake of last year's unprecedented floods, the Dutch government has provided US$3.5 million through different streams to Pakistan and is helping through water management experts.

4. Since 2004, the Netherlands has hosted more than 150 junior diplomats from Pakistan who have received training there.

5. Pakistan and the Netherlands have institutionalized their relationship by establishing the mechanism of Bilateral Political Consultations since 2010. The upgraded 10^th Session, at the level of Foreign Secretaries, was held in the Hague.

6. The Netherlands has become the second largest export destination for Pakistan's exports in the EU and major source of net Foreign Direct Investment. During FY 2022.

bilateral trade reached US$2.24 billion out of which Pakistani exports were US$1,735 million and imports. were US$507.9 million. Total Foreign Direct investment inflow from the Netherlands was US$305.8 million. In FY 2022, Pakistan's top commodities exported to the Netherlands included Textile, apparels, cotton, ethanol, leather, travel goods, beverages, cereals, sports, equipment and footwear.

7. More than 80 Dutch companies are operating in Pakistan. The major investments are in the sector of Food & Beverage, Electronics, Trade, Finance, Textile, Pharmaceuticals, and others. Engro Foods/Chemicals. Veon, AkzoNobel and Royal Vopak are some of the biggest names of Dutch FDI in Pakistan.

8. Pakistan and the Netherlands are celebrating 75^th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in 2023. The two countries share a rich history of bilateral co-operation in a wide range of areas including Political, Economic, Trade and investments, Climate Change, Education and Culture.

9. Pakistan Post is issuing a Commemorative Postage Stamp on this auspicious occasion on 2nd November 2023. It features Tulip, the National Flower of the Netherlands which is also widelygrown in Pakistan, highlighting the beauty of the growing relations between the two Nations.

Golden Jubilee Celebrations of OIC (1969-2019) December 30, 2019 (2019-8)

 

1. OIC is a 57-member body (along with five observer states). As an intergovernmental Organization, it is second only to UN in size. Its combined population is over 1.7 billion with GDP of US$19.4 trillion (8.2% of world GDP). Founded in 1969, this is the 50th year of OIC's establishment. The Organization is the collective voice of the Muslim world. It endeavors to safeguard and protect the interests of the Muslim world in the spirit of promoting international peace and harmony among various people of the world.

2. The Organization was established upon a decision of the historical summit which took place in Rabat, Kingdom of Morocco on 12th Rajab 1389 Hijra (25 September 1969) following the criminal arson of Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied Jerusalem. In 1970 the first ever meeting of Islamic Conference of Foreign Minister (ICFM) was held in Jeddah which decided to establish a permanent Secretariat in Jeddah headed by the Organization's Secretary General. Dr. Yousef Ahmed Al-Othaimeen is the 11th Secretary General who assumed the office in November 2016.

3. The first OIC Charter was adopted by the 3rd ICFM Session held in 1972. The Charter laid down the objectives and principles of the Organization and fundamental purposes to strengthen the solidarity and cooperation among the Member States. Over the last 40 years, the membership has grown from its founding members of 30 to 57 states. The Charter was amended to keep pace with the developments that have unraveled across the world. The present Charter or the OIC was adopted by the Eleventh Islamic Summit held in Dakar on 13-14 March 2008 to become the pillar of the OIC future Islamic action in line with the requirements of the 21st century.

4. The Organization has the singular honor to galvanize the Ummah into a unified body and have actively represented the Muslims by espousing all causes close to the hearts of over 1.7 billion Muslims of the world. The Organization has consultative and cooperative relations with the UN and other inter-governmental Organizations to protect the vital interests of the Muslims and to work for the settlement of conflicts and disputes involving Member States. In safeguarding the true values of Islam and the Muslims, the Organization has taken various steps to remove misperceptions and has strongly advocated elimination of discrimination against Muslims in all forms and manifestations.

5. OIC has a dedicated contact group on Jammu and Kashmir. Turkey, Azerbaijan, Saudi Arabia, Niger and OIC Secretary General are its members. Its meetings are held from time to time on our request.

6. Pakistan hosts two important OIC outfits. OIC's Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH) is based in Islamabad while the Islamic Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture(ICCIA) is located in Karachi, Pakistan is also member of governing boards of: (1) Islamic Centre for Development and Trade (ICDT) (Casablanca); (ii) Islamic University of Technology (IUT) (Dhaka); (iii) Research Centre for Islamic History, Art & Culture (IRCICA) (Istanbul); and (iv) Islamic Solidarity Fund and its Waqf (Jeddah).

7. In the 14th Islamic Summit, Pakistan was elected as Vice Chair of the bureau on behalf of the Asian Group.

Major OIC Events hosted by Pakistan

8. Over the past 50 years, Pakistan has hosted a number of key OIC meetings/Summits. These include:

a. 2^nd Session of the Islamic Summit Conference, Lahore (22-24 February 1974)

b. 1^st Extraordinary Islamic Summit, Islamabad (23-24 March 1997)

c. Four Council of Foreign Ministers Sessions (1970, 1980, 1993 & 2007)

d. Two extraordinary Council of Foreign Ministers Sessions (1980, 1994)

9. We are part of nine OIC contact groups (on Jammu & Kashmir, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Yemen, Palestine, Muslims in Europe, Armenian aggression against the Republic of Azerbaijan, Somalia, Friends of Mediation and Peace and Dialogue).

On the eve of Golden Jubilee Celebrations of OIC (1969-2019), the Commemorative Postage Stamp of Rs. 50/-denomination and Sovunier Sheet of Rs. 250/- denomination are being issued by Pakistan Post on December 30, 2019.

550th Birthday Celebrations of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji (1469-2019) November 12, 2019 (2019-7)

 

Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji (1469-1539) was the founder of Sikhism and the first of the ten Sikh Gurus. His birthday is celebrated worldwide as Guru Nanak Gurpurab on Kartik Pooranmashi, the full-moon day in the month of Katak, October-November.Birth place of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji is considered holy place by Followers of Sikhism, Punjabi Hindus and Sahajdhari Sindhis across the Indian subcontinent. Because of his close connection with Hazrat Sheikh Farid-ud-din Ganj Shakar, the Punjabi Sufi saint, Nanak Dev Ji is also considered by many Muslims to be a Sufi, or adherent of Sufic tenets. His main teaching to the world was written down to be "devotion of thought and having good actions as the first of our jobs".

The day prior to the birthday, a procession, referred to as Nagarkirtan, is organized. This procession is led by the Panj Pyaras (Five Beloved Ones). They head the procession carrying the Sikh flag, known as the Nishan Sahib and the Palki (Palanquin) of Guru Granth Sahib. They are followed by teams of singers singing hymns and devotees sing the chorus. There are brass bands playing different tunes and 'Gatka" teams display their swordsmanship through various martial arts and as mock battles using traditional weapons. The procession pours into the streets of the town. The passage is covered with banners and gates decorated flags and flowers, for this special occasion. The leaders spread the massage of Sri Guru Nanak.

On the day of the "Gurpurab", the celebrations commence early in the morning at about 4 to 5 am. This time of the day is referred to as Amrit Vela. The day begins with the singing of Asa-di-Var (morning hymns). This is followed by any combination of Katha (exposition of the scripture) and Kirtan (hymns from the Sikh scriptures), in the praise of the Guru, followed by Langar, a special community lunch, arranged at the Gurudwaras by volunteers. The idea behind the free communal lunch is that everyone, irrespective of caste, class or creed, should be offered food in the spirit of seva (service) and bhakti (devotion).

In Pakistan main religious ceremony of Birthday of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji is held in Gurdwara Janam Asthan, Nankana Sahib every year. On the occasion of the event Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB ) provides best available facilities to the Yatrees, in coordination with other government departments for their comfortable stay in Pakistan. Emphasis is made to improve these facilities in order to project Pakistan as a minorities' friendly country. Detail of the facilities provided to the Sikh yatrees by ETPB is as under:-

1. Reception/Langar

Reception at Wagha Railway Station.

Provision of Langar on arrival / departure and throughout their stay in Pakistan.

2. Travel Arrangements

Arrangements of special trains/buses for travelling of Yatrees.

3. Customs and Immigration

• Liaison with Customs and Immigration / Rangers authorities for speedy immigration process for the Yatrees.

4. Security

Adequate security arrangements in coordination with concerned Government Departments for the protection of Gurdwaras/Mandirs and Yatrees.

Provision of Security Staff of ETP Board to help Special Branch at Wagha Border for Bio-data Form filling of Yatrees.

Security Staff of ETP Board is detailed with Yatrees throughout their inland traveling in Pakistan.

5. Accommodation

Comfortable boarding and loading arrangements for Yatrees within the premises of major Gurdwaras/Mandirs.

Various stalls, including Utility Store, Handicraft and Tourism are also established to facilitate the Yatrees.

6. Rituals

To ensure holding of religious ceremonies in Gurdwaras as per traditions of Sikh religion.

7. Currency Exchange

Arrangements for money exchange counters of National Bank of Pakistan/ Habib Bank Limited at Wagha Railway station and in all major Gurdwaras.

8. Telephone Facilities

PTC telephone booths with NWD/ISD facilities in all main Gurdwaras.

Provision of Mobile SIMS for the Yatrees at all the major Gurdwaras.

9. Health Cover

Round the clock availability of Doctors / Para Medical Staff for Yatrees during the travel of Yatrees and their stay at Gurdwaras/Mandirs.

On 550th Birthday Celebrations of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji (1469-2019), the Commemorative Postage Stamps of Rs.20/- denomination each (set of 4) and Souviner Sheet of Rs. 550/- denomination are being issued by Pakistan Post on November 12, 2019.

30th Years of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. (CRC) November 04, 2019 (2019-6)

 

The year 2019 is a special year for children of the world. It is the 30^th anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), the most rapidly and widely ratified international human rights treaty in history.

When countries- or states - sign a convention or make a treaty, they are making promises to each other. These promises create rights and obligations which are legally and politically binding.

By signing the CRC, world leaders agreed that children needed a special convention just for them because they often need care and protection that adults do not. They made a promise to children to protect and promote their rights to survive and thrive, to learn and grow, to make their voices heard and to reach their full potential. It was agreed that childhood, which goes up to 18 years, is a special, protected time, in which children must be allowed to grow, learn, play, develop and flourish with dignity.

Only a year after the signing of the CRC, Pakistan ratified the treaty making a strong commitment towards ensuring the fundamental rights of the child in the country. Ever since, noteworthy results, for children have been achieved in the country, however, a lot more needs to be done.

In his message for the 30th anniversary of the CRC, President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, H.E Dr. Arif Alvi said, "Pakistan is fully committed to combating all challenges that confront our children. We are dedicated to ensuring that no infant life is lost because of lack of basic health facilities; no school going child is deprived of education merely because of lack of schools; and no child is bounded to labour because of poverty, deprivation, and lack of opportunity. We will ensure that deteriorating environment does not affect our children. We will eradicate crime and terrorism from our society so that no child is ever prevented from leading a fulfilling life. It is, in short, our priority to transform each child into a productive and responsible member of our nation":

Over the past years, Pakistan has made steady progress for children, and the government of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf has committed to rise up to the challenges. The Prime Minister Imran Khan, who is committed to help children and young people survive, enter school, and develop the skills they need for employment said, "No country can prosper when there is a small island of rich people, and a sea of poor".

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) is the UN organization mandated to protect the rights of every child, everywhere, especially the most disadvantaged, and is the only organization specifically named in the Convention on the Rights of the Child as a source of expert assistance and advice. As the flagbearer for the rights of the child, UNICEF continues to demand from the world leaders that they fulfill their commitments made in the CRC and take action to ensure that every child, has every right.

By promoting the ratification and supporting the implementation of the Convention and its Optional Protocols, UNICEF helps strengthen laws and policies and improves understanding of the Convention at all levels of society, including:

a.    Supporting governments to implement the Convention through laws and policies, including providing institutional and professional capacity development.

b.    Participating in different stages of the monitoring process. For example, UNICEF country offices assist governments in organizing major consultations prior to drafting their reports.

c.    Supporting the Committee on the Rights of the Child. For example, by participating in the Committee's review of submitted reports.

d.    Working with governments to identify implementation strategies in response to the Committee's recommendations.

e.    Helping to ensure that voices that too often go unheard are reflected in the information presented to the Committee. For example, by facilitating wide-reaching consultations at all levels of society, submitting written reports on the situation of women and children, and encouraging non-governmental organizations to submit their own reports to the Committee as a supplement to government reports.

UNICEF will continue to support the government of Pakistan to accelerate progress for children, work to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and help children realize their rights under the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). This will be made through strong partnerships with provincial authorities, teachers and health professionals, frontline workers and social mobilizers, communities and families, and of course children and adolescents themselves.

On 30th Years of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), a Commemorative Postage Stamp of Rs.20/- denomination is being issued by Pakistan Post on November 04, 2019.