Birth Celebrations of Air Marshal Nur Khan. (2012-3)

 

Birthday Celebrations of Air Marshal Nur Khan Commemorative Postage Stamp February 22, 2012:- An ace fighter pilot, a visionary commander and an epitome of a leader, Air Marshal Nur Khan emerged on the global landscape as a true icon, a legend and a national hero.

Hailing from Taman (then Attock District), Malik Nur Khan was born on February 22, 1923. After successfully completing his primary education from government school Taman and Aitchison College, he joined Royal Indian Military College (RIMC) Dehra Dun in 1934. During training at this premier institution, he showed remarkable performance and was well known and respected for his razor-sharp intelligence and Sportsmanship. He was commissioned on January 6, 1941 as a fighter pilot in the Royal Indian Air Force, at the age of seventeen years ten months only. After serving in No.3 Squadron of the Royal Indian Air Force, he participated in the World War II at the Burma front. At the time of partition in 1947, Nur Khan opted for Pakistan Air Force and later served the PAF on various appointments which included command of Chaklala, Peshawar, Mauripur stations, No.1 Group at Peshawar and PAF Academy besides various tenures at Air HQs in different capacities. He remained involved in the induction of aircraft under U.S military aid. He made relentless efforts in the induction of F-86s instead of F-84s, dispite opposition.

Air Marshal Malik Nur Khan showed his true colours, when he was given the prestigious command of Pakistan Air Force, on July 23, 1965. As Commander-in-Chief of PAF, he established the foundations of aggressive tactics, construed the time according to situation, and adopted ways and means that were in the best interest of service. As a true leader he knew the art of winning hearts and minds of the under command. He remained involved in the affairs of the PAF Airmen, cared for them and took actions that raised their morale. He was a statuesque man, who commanded the Pakistan Air Force during the country’s first real test since independence, during Indo-Pak war in 1965. It was his thorough insight into the complexities of war that saw the Pakistan Air Force soundly quashed the aggressor’s aircraft both on ground and in the air. It was due to his visionary leadership that in 1965 war, a small but courageous and well trained air force knocked out there time bigger air force.

After the cease fire in 1965 war, Pakistan suffered from US sanctions and Arms Embargo, which adversely affected the PAF and all of its US origin weapon systems were grounded. At this very crucial juncture, Air Marshal Nur Khan once again rose to the occasion. He called upon his visionary skills by looking to China and France for military replenishments to overcome the considerable problems the PAF had suffered due to lack of spares. Within months, his relentless efforts bore fruit and first batch of Chinese F-6s and French Mirages as a strike aircraft were delivered, so that the PAF could continue to defend the country, which the adoring population was expecting at that time.

Apart from rising to the coveted position of C-in-C of PAF at the age of 42, he went on to make a name for himself in many diverse fields. It was during his secondment to Pakistan International Airlines from 1959 – 1965, that his willingness to lead from the front thrust him into the global spotlight. Within months of taking over the responsibilities of PIA, he was able to convert the national airline from a non-descript and struggling career into a dynamic and successful international airline to become the first in the region to operate the new revolutionary Boeing 707. In February, 1964, he was also appointed Chief Administrator of Civil Aviation and Tourism. His vision on tourism and initiatives resulted in promotion of hotel business in Pakistan. His tenure on this appointment saw acquisition of foreign hotels and extending help to over 46 foreign airlines to train their pilots, engineers, employees and revive their fortunes.

Nur Khan also rendered colossal services for the uplift of national sports of Hockey, Cricket and Squash and enabled Pakistan to reach the pinnacle. In Hockey, he was able to get Pakistan claim two Olympic, World Cup and Champions Trophy titles, the later two being his own brainchild apart from many new innovations to uplift these sports from decline and decadence. When he became chairman PCB (then BCCP) in February 1980, he made the Asia Cup an enduring reality and introduced neutral umpiring in cricket World Cup to the subcontinent for the first time. When Nur Khan took over the responsibility of reviving Squash in the country, the game saw its zenith. His revolutionary steps for the uplift of the game included introduction of talent hunt scheme which paid dividends and produced a surfeit of world class Pakistani players in the 70s: Qamar Zaman, Gogi Allauddin, Hidayat Jahan, Mohibullah Khan, Junior and others. In 1975, his efforts bore fruit as Qamar Zaman brought back the British Open title to Pakistan after 12 years. He during his short stints as Minister of Education and Governor of West Pakistan made all endeavours to promote education and improve the social fibre of the nation.

The services rendered by Air Marshal Nur Khan were acknowledged both at national and international levels and he became a highly decorated officer of PAF. His decorations include Hilal-e-Quaid-e-Azam, Hilal-e-Jurat, Hilal-e-Shujat, Sitara-i-Pakistan and Sitara-i-Quaid-e-Azam. The King of Jordan awarded him the Order of Istiqlal (2nd Class) and was decorated as Commander of the National Order of the Cedars by the President of Lebanon, besides the award of Grand Officer in the order of Range Nassau with Swords by the Dutch Government.

Air Marshal Nur Khan was a very proud, patriotic, devoted and a decorated “SON” of Pakistan. His charismatic personality, dynamic leadership, visionary wisdom, razor-sharp intelligence, outstanding management abilities, and inexhaustible diligence made him the most accomplished person of modern history. His long, distinguished and illustrious services in diverse fields earned him a name that would be surely remembered till the end of times. He was the man with Mida’s touch; whatever he touched became gold, whatever he envisaged became reality, whatever he pursued became exemplary- truly “Giant among men”:

The saga of epic quests and achievements ended when the legend expired on December 15, 2011, leaving behind a trail of courage, professionalism and dedication for the nation to cherish and follow.

To commemorate Birthday Celebrations of Air Marshal Nur Khan, Pakistan Post is issuing a commemorative postage stamp of Rs. 8/- denomination on February 22, 2012.

Pakistan The World Youngest Microsoft Certified Professional Arfa Karim (1995-2012) (2012-2)

 

Arfa Karim Randhawa (2 February 1995 – 14 January 2012) was a Pakistani student and computer prodigy, who in 2004 at the age of nine years became a Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP), the youngest in the world until 2008. She was invited by Bill Gates to visit the Microsoft Headquarters in the USA. A science park in Lahore was named after her, the Arfa Software Technology Park

Arfa was born to a family from the village of Chak No 4JB Ram Dewali in Faisalabad, Punjab. After returning to Pakistan from a visit to Microsoft headquarters, Arfa gave numerous television and newspaper interviews. On 2 August 2005, Arfa Karim was presented the Fatimah Jinnah Gold Medal in the field of Science and Technology by the then Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shaukat Aziz on the occasion of 113th birth anniversary of Fatima Jinnah.  She also received the Salaam Pakistan Youth Award again in August 2005 from the President of Pakistan.  Arfa Karim is also the recipient of the President's Award for Pride of Performance, a civil award usually granted to people who have shown excellence in their respective fields over a long period of time. She is the youngest recipient of this award. In recognition of her achievement Arfa was made brand ambassador for Pakistan Telecommunication Company’s 3G Wireless Broadband service named EVO in January 2010.

In 2011, at the age of 16, Arfa Karim was studying at the Lahore Grammar School Paragon Campus in her second year of A-levels. On 22 December 2011 she suffered a cardiac arrest after an epileptic seizure that damaged her brain, and was admitted to Lahore's Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in critical condition.

On 9 January 2012, Bill Gates, chairman of Microsoft, contacted Arfa's parents and directed his doctors to adopt "every kind of measure" for her treatment. Gates set up a special panel of international doctors who remained in contact with her local doctors through teleconference. The panel received details about her illness and provided assistance in diagnosis and treatment.  Local doctors dismissed the option of moving Arfa to another hospital owing to her being on a ventilator and in critical condition.  Members of Arfa's family have lauded Bill Gates for offering to bear her treatment expenses.

On 13 January 2012, Arfa Karim started to improve and some parts of her brain showed signs of improvement. Her father, Amjad Karim Randhawa, said Microsoft had raised the possibility of flying Arfa to the US for care.

On 14 January 2012, 16-year-old Arfa Karim died at 9:50 PM (Pakistan Standard Time) at Combined Military Hospital (CMH) Lahore. Her funeral prayer was offered in Cavalry Ground Lahore at 10 AM on 15 January 2012, and later at Faisalabad the same day. The funeral was attended by the Chief Minister of Punjab, Shahbaz Sharif. She was buried at her ancestral village in Faisalabad.

On 15 January 2012, Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif announced that the name of Lahore Technology Park would be changed to Arfa Software Technology Park.

On The Eeve of Tthe 100th Meeting of The Federal Cabinet of Pakistan. (2012-1)

 

Article 90 of the Constitution of Pakistan, envisages that the Executive Authority of the Federation shall be exercised in the name of President by the Federal Ministers, which shall act through the Prime Minister, who shall be the Chief Executive of the Federation. Article 91 of the Constitution, envisions a Cabinet of Ministers, with the Prime Minister at its head, to aid and advise the President in the exercise of its functions.

2.                  The present Government assumed power in March, 2008. The Federal Cabinet held its 100th meeting in the city of Quaid on his 135th Anniversary to pay homage to the father of the Nation, it was a unique honour, in the history of Pakistan, for the present Government to hold a meeting on the birth day of the Quaid.

3.                  The present elected Government made all out efforts to translate the vision of the Quaid-i-Azam into reality. The Cabinet held its meetings not only Islamabad but also in Lahore, Quetta, Gwadar, Peshawar and Karachi, which is a symbol of national harmony and integration. The decision making process of the Government remained well structured as it was based on mutual consultation and sense of unanimity. The achievements of the present Government include an independent judiciary whose decisions, orders and judgment are respected by it, the NFC Award, the 18th Constitutional (Amendment) and above all restoration of the 1973 Constitution. Holding All Parties Conference, indicate the Government’s sincerity for mutual consultation and national reconciliation. Free media and sovereign Parliament are the results of the selfless and dedicated efforts of the Government. The Government has vowed to carry on the mission of the Quaid to make Pakistan a progressive, democratic Islamic State. All the aforementioned decisions were ratified by the Federal Cabinet.

4.                  The performance of the present Government was keenly monitored by the Prime Minister during its 45 months period, who was pleased to order meeting of the Federal Cabinet on fortnightly basis.

5.                  In compliance to above, regular meetings of the Cabinet have been held on alternative Wednesday. One hundred meetings of the present Cabinet is unprecedented in the history of Pakistan. The Cabinet deliberated upon 891 different issues of vital importance and 1101 decisions have been taken and that the rate of implementation of these decisions is 81%.

6.                  The aforementioned facts, reveals that the Cabinet under the Prime Minister is carrying forward the agenda set forth by the Parliament for the democratically elected Government including approval of few structural changes. It has tried to resolve each and every problem being faced by the people of Pakistan. A Task Force was formed to address energy related issues. The year of 2012, has been dedicated to address the rights of the people of Balochistan. The Cabinet dedicated to ensure complete and honest implementation of Aghaz-e-Haqooq-e-Balochistan Package, to provide all fundamental rights to the people of Balochistan, under the Constitution.

On the eve of the 100th Meeting of the Federal Cabinet, Pakistan Post is issuing a commemorative postage stamp of Rs. 8/- denomination on 18th January 2012.

"KASHMIR SOLIDARITY DAY" February 05, 2024 (2024-3)

On 5th of February, Government and People of Pakistan observe Kashmir Solidarity Day every year to express their unwitvering political moral and diplomatic support to the struggle of people of Jammu and Kashmir for their legitimate right of self-determination, as enshrined in UN resolutions. It exhibits Pakistar's support and unity with the people of Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir and their freedom struggle

On this day, the Nation reaffirms its resolve to standby our brothers and sisters in their valiant struggle for their just cause and exhibits its solidarity with people of Indian occupied Kashmir, their brave and rightful stance against atrocities of Indian forces. The atrocities and human rights violations by the Indian occupying forces have not deterred them from the cause based upon their legitimate right of self-determination as acknowledged in UN resolutions

The people of Pakistan and Kashmiris around the world reiterate their persistent support and send a loud and clear message to the world that people of Jammu and Kashmir are not alone in their struggle against the Indian occupying forces and call for peaceful settlement of Kashmir Issue in accordance with aspirations of people of Jammu and Kashmir is sine qua non for the lasting peace in South Asia

Pakistan calls upon the international community to play its role to check the egregious human rights violations in Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and to ensure just and peaceful settlement of Jammu and Kashmir dispute as per UN Security Council Resolutions and aspirations of Kashmiri people.

The day is also observed as a national holiday To commemorate this day Pakistan Post is issuing a Commemorative Postage Stamp of Rs 30 on February 5, 2024,

 

30th ANNIVERSARY OF DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS BETWEEN PAKISTAN AND BELARUS (1994-2024) February 03, 2024 (2024-2)

This Commemorative Stamp marks 30 years of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the Republic of Belarus, spanning from 1994 to 2024. It prominently features two iconic landmarks that represent the rich cultural and historical tapestry of Pakistan and Belarus. Dominating the foreground is the majestic Miner-e-Pakistan, a symbol of Pakistani nation's struggle for independence and sovereignty. In harmony with this, the Victory Monument of Belarus stands tall, signifying the resilience and triumph of the Belarusian spirit.

The Miner-e-Pakistan and Victory Monument serve as powerful symbols of national pride, history, and cultural identity. By featuring these landmarks the stamp pays homage to the shared values and aspirations that have forged a lasting bond between Pakistan and Belarus.

Interwoven into the stamp's intricate design are the state emblems of both nations: The National Coat of Arms of the Republic of Belarus serves as a symbol of the country's sovereignty, reflecting various facets of its identity, history, and aspirations Meanwhile, the coat of arms, or state emblem of Pakistan, adopted in 1954, embodies the nation's ideological underpinnings, economic foundation, cultural heritage, and guiding principles.

The 30th anniversary logo, with its meticulously chosen colours, reflects the harmony and respect that characterize the diplomatic relationship between the two nationa The number '3' is adorned with the vibrant colours of the Pakistani flag in a harmonious juxtaposition, the number '0' is elegantly shaded in the colours of the Belarusian flag. The logo also incorporates the state emblems of both countries and their respective flags, encapsulating the essence of this significant milestone in diplomatic history

On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Belarus Pakistan Post is issuing a Commemorative Postage Stamp of Rs. 30/- on 3rd of February, 2024