50th Anniversary of Asia Pacific Postal Union. (2012-7)

Commemorative Postage Stamp on 50Th Anniversary of Asian – Pacific Postal Union April 1, 2012:- The Asian Pacific Postal Union (Appu0 is an inter-governmental organization of 33 postal administrations of the Asia-Pacific region. APPU is affiliated to the Universal Postal Union (UPU) which is a specialized agency of the United Nations. The purpose of the APPU is to extend, facilitate and improve postal relations between member countries and to promote cooperation in the field of postal services.

Brief History:- The idea of a restricted union in this part of the world came up first in the late 1950s. In order to give a concrete shape to the idea, after informal discussions, the Philippines government sent through diplomatic channel the invitations to 18 countries for a roundtable in Manila on 10-23 January 1961. Among the countries invited were Afghanistan, Australia, Brunei, Cambodia, China, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam. The roundtable drew up the Asian Oceanic Postal Convention.

The Convention was to come into force on 1 April 1962. On that date, we formed a union among ourselves called “Asian Oceanic Postal Union” which later on was renamed as the actual “Asian-Pacific Postal Union” by the 4th AOPU Congress held in Yogyakarta in 1981. We then established our headquarters in Manila with Mr. Enrico Palomar, Postmaster General of the Philippines as our first Director. The headquarters was relocated to Bangkok in 2002.

In due course others countries of the Asia-Pacific region joined this regional postal union making it today an inter-governmental body of 33 countries namely ; Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Kiribati, Korea, Lao, Malaysia, Maldives, Mangolia, Myanmar, Nauru, Nepal, New Zealand, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Samoa, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Tonga, Vanuatu and Vietnam.

Organization:- The Congress, the Executive Council and the Bureau are the three organs of the Union. The main functions of these three organs are:

Congress:- The Congress is the supreme organ of the Union and composed of representatives of member countries. The representatives of the member countries of the Union meet in Congress not later than two years after holding of each Universal Postal Congress in order to revise the Acts of the Union, if necessary, and to consider, as necessary, other postal problems of common interest to the member countries.

The APPU Congress were held as follows:

1st AOPU Congress in Manila, Philippines in 1965

2nd AOPU Congress in Kyoto, Japan in 1970

3rd AOPU Congress in Melborne, Australia in 1975

4th AOPU Congress in Yogyakarta, Indonesia in 1981

5th AOPU Congress in Bangkok, Thailand in 1985

6th AOPU Congress in Rotorua, New Zealand in 1990

7th AOPU Congress in Singapore in 1995

8th AOPU Congress in Tehran, Iran in 2000

9th AOPU Congress in Seoul, Korea in 2005

10th AOPU Congress in Auckland, New Zealand in 2009

Executive Council:- The Executive Council (EC) comprises all the member=countries of the Union with a quorum of the majority. To ensure the continuity of the work of the Union in the intervals between Congresses, the Executive Council meets in principle once each year. The functions of the Executive Council are:

(a)                To perform any duty assigned to it by a Resolution of the Congress;

(b)               To lay down the international postal service rules which shall provide for details necessary for the operation of the international postal service between the member-countries;

(c)                To maintain contacts with postal administration of the member-countries of the Union with a view to improving the postal service;

(d)               To prescribe rules for the administration of the Bureau and to supervise the activities of the Bureau;

(e)                To review and approve the annual budget and accounts of the administrative section prepared by the Bureau in the intervals between Congresses;

(f)                 To make useful contacts with the various organs of the Universal Postal Union, with the Restricted Unions or with other specialized agencies of the United Nations with special interests in the area and, if necessary, to appoint representatives to conference of such organization;

(g)                To conclude agreements on behalf of the Union with the Universal Postal Union and other restricted Unions and international organizations with regard to such matters as technical co-operation with the concurrence of at least two-thirds of the members of the Union. The Council may authorize the Director of the Bureau to execute such agreements;

(h)                To assemble, prior to each Universal Postal Congress, in order to exchange and harmonize their views; and

(i)                  To make necessary steps, with the agreement of the majority of the members of Union, provisionally to carry out such other administrative acts which are not covered by he Acts of the Union and cannot await the next Congress for the settlement.

Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Executive Council;- are elected by the first Executive Council meeting convened immediately after the holding of the Congress at the same venue. In the normal course the chairmanship shall devolve by right on the host country of Congress.

Bureau:- The Bureau, formerly the Central office, serves as a medium of liaison, information, inquiry and training for the member-countries of the Union. The Bureau is composed of the administrative section and the training section. The Bureau is composed of a Director and such other staff as the union may require. The Bureau provides the secretarial for meetings of the union, jointly with the postal administration of the country where each meeting is held. The Bureau is under the general supervision of the Executive Council.

The Bureau provides training facilities and advisory services in the training section to improve postal services within Asia and the Pacific. This training section is administered by a Governing Board, chaired by the head of the host administration of the Bureau (Thailand). The governing Board meets at least once each year in the country where the Executive council will hold its meeting. The training section of the Bureau is known as the Asian Pacific Postal College.

Director of APPU Bureau is chosen, from among qualified postal officials, by the Executive Council or in Congress year by Congress. The tenure of office is fixed by the body which selects the Director.

The Director of APPU Bureau is its legal representative in all functions performed by the Bureau pursuant to the Acts of the Union and the decision of Congress of the Union. The Director represents the Union in the international conferences regarding postal service where representation of the Union is required.

Asian Pacific Postal College:- The Asian Pacific Postal College (APPC), formerly the Asian and Oceanic Postal Training School (AOPTS) and the Asian Pacific Postal Training Centre (APPTC), was established on 10 September 1970 in Bangkok following the recommendation of the first Congress of the Asian Pacific Postal Union (then the Asian and Oceanic Postal Union) held in Manila in 1965.

APPC was established with assistance from UPU and contribution from UNDP in the form of expert/consultant services, fellowships and equipment. The Government of Thailand generously provided the necessary premises for APPC.

APPC represents an outstanding example of international cooperation in the field of postal training. APPC has trained more than 5,000 postal managers from various postal administrations in the Asia-Pacific region and from the African continent.

APPC provides professional training in relevant areas covering international post, quality of service, sales and marketing, postal operations, postal planning and modernization, human resource management, information technology, business management, financial management etc. APPC provides external training programs in various countries. They are tailor-made programs designed to suit the specific needs of requesting administrations.

APPC organizes seminars and workshops by UPU, related organizations and postal administrations.

On 50th anniversary of Asian-Pacific Postal Union (APPU), Pakistan Post is issuing a Commemorative Postage Stamp of Rs.8/- denomination on April 1, 2012.

Gems & Minerals of Pakistan. Rocks. Stone. Ruby. Peridot. Emerald. Sapphire. (2012-04)

Special Postage Stamps on Gems And Minerals of Paksitan February 24, 2012:- Emerald:- Emerald, the name is of ancient origin, the Latin “Samaragdus” known as Green Stone, is a variety of the mineral beryl (Be3Al2(SiO3) 6) colored green by trace amounts of chromium and sometimes vanadium. It has hexagonal crystal system, having hardness of 7 – 8 in Moh scale.

The inclusion in emerald can be highly distinctive; bubbles of gas in a liquid (like a sprit level), within spindle-shaped or, more rarely, truncated prismatic cavities; birefringent, circular plates of mica; multifaceted pyrite crystals or calcite rhombohedra.

The typical color is beautiful due to traces of chromium in the crystal structure. An emerald has various shades from light or dark green to bright or leaf green. The most common shape for gem is the step or trap cut, which is also known as emerald cut. Stones of fine colour, weighing more than 2 carats, are among the most highly valued gemstones.

Unlike diamond, where the loupe standard, i.e. 10x magnification, is used to grade clarity, emerald is graded by eye. Thus, if an emerald has no visible inclusions to the eye (assuming normal visual acuity), it is considered flawless. Stones that lack surface breaking fissures are extremely rare and therefore almost all emeralds are treated, “oiled”, to enhance the apparent clarity.

In Pakistan, Emeralds are found at Mingora, Gujar Killi, Shamozai, Charbagh, Makhad of Swat; Gandao of Mohmand Agency, Barang of Bajaur Agency, Kot of Malakand Agency, khaltaro of the Gilgit Biltistan and Dokoo of Shinger Valley.

Rubby:- The name comes from the Latin rubrum, “red”. It is the most valuable variety of corundum group. Its crystal system is trigonal. Ruby is a-alumina (the most stable form of AI2O3) in which a small fraction of the aluminum3+ ions are replaced by chromium3+. This crystallographic arrangement strongly affects each Cr3+, resulting in light absorption in the yellow-green region of the spectrum and thus in the red color of the gem.

The brightest red and thus the most valuable rubies often have areas full of inclusions in the form of minute rutile neddles, which interfere with the light producing a distinctive silky shine known, in fact, as silk. When the silk is not heavy, the stones are clearer, more attractive and even more valuable. Other, mainly crystalline inclusions are normally found as well. Rubies of this type are not usually more than a few carats in weight. There are exceptions, generally containing copious inclusion and have hardness 9 in Moh scale.

The ruby is considered one of the four precious stones, together with the sapphire, the emerald, and the diamond.

The brightest and most valuable “red” called pigeon blood-red, commands a huge premium over other rubies of similar quality. After color follows clarity similar to diamonds, a clear stone will command premium, but a ruby without any needle-like rutile inclusions may indicate that the stone has been treated.

Some rubies show a 3-point or 6-point aster whereas, some rubies show a 3-point or 6-point asterism or “star”. These rubies are cut into cabochons to display the effect properly. This is one example where inclusions increase the value of a gemstone. Furthermore, rubies can show a change in color though this occurs very rarely as a “cat’s eye” effect. These rubies are cut into cabshon to display the effect properly.

In Pakistan and Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK) Rubies are found at Aliabad of Hunza Valley, Basal area of Naran, Astore of Gilgit Baltistan and also huge and best quality deposits are found in Nangimali and Batakundi.

Sapphire:- The name of this blue variety of corundum is probably derived from the Latin sapphires and Greek sapheiros. This is one of the two or three gem-varieties of corundum, with another one being the red or deep pink ruby. Trace amounts of other elements such as iron, titanium, or chromium can give corundum blue, yellow, pink, purple, orange, or greenish color. Pink-orange sapphires are also called padmaraga. Pure chromium is the distinct impurity of ribies. However, a combination of e.g. chromium and titanium can give sapphire a color distinct from red.

Although blue is the most well-known color, sapphires are made up of any color of corundum except for red. Sapphires may also be colorless, and they are also found in shades of gray and black having a trigonal crystal structure with a hardness 9 in Moh scale.

Inclusions are, as a rule, less obvious in very dark stones, due to their general lack of transparency, whereas medium to large pale stones often show distinct “veils” or “feathers” caused by very fine inclusion and foreign crystals, which are sometimes transparent, sometimes dark, submetallic, opaque, and, very occasionally, bright red.

In Pakistan Sapphire deposits are found in Aliabad and Muzaffarabad (AJK).

Peridot:- The name could be derived from the Greek “peridona” meaning “giving plenty” or from the Arabic word Faridat or Zabargad. Later the stone was known as Topazion. Probably around the 18th century, the French were the first to call the yellowish-green stone Peridot, although the English have similar claims, It was probably, regarding their history, more of a French name. However, the name source of the Peridot is not very clear.

It was discovered a couple of thousands years BC ago by the sailors landed on a small Island of the Serpents, red sea, under the bright moonlight they saw glowing crystals among the volcanic earth. At first light those crystals turn green glitters in the sand.

Peridot belongs to the forsterite-fayalite (most of the gem variety is predominantly foresterite, named after the German naturalist, John Forester) mineral series which is part of the Olivine group. It is one of the “idiochromatic” gems, meaning the color created by the basic chemical composition of the mineral itself, not from minor impurities, and therefore will only be found in shades of green.

Its chemical formula is (Mg,Fe)2SiO4 with hardness of 6.5-7 in Moh scale.

In iron-and magnesium-rich intrusive rocks it usually occurs as unhedral crystal; but in effusive rocks, such as basalts, it more often has a prismatic appearance. Peridot shades very from a yellowish (olive) green, a stronger, almost bottle green, or pale yellow tinged with green. It has unexceptional, vitreous luster, increasing its resemblance to olive oil.

In Pakistan Peridot occurs to the southeast of west Sapat Gali, and to the north of Rah Wali Sapat (Parla Sapat, Kaghan-Naran area) and to the west of Ratti Gatti (Kohistan area).

Paksitan Post is issuing a set of four special postage stamps of Rs. 8/- denomination in eacs desigen on Gems and Minerals of Pakistan on February 24, 2012.

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.