Centenary of Government High School No 1, Thana Malakand Division. April 15, 2012. (2012-8)

Centenary of Government High School No.1, Thana Malakand Division Commemorative Postage Stamp April 15, 2012:- Allah, the Most Gracious. It is He Who has taught the Quran. He has created man. He has taught him utterance.

(Surrah Al-Rehman):- Allah, increase me in knowledge, so prayed Moses to Allah as revealed in the Holy Quran and the first word of the first revelation to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) “Read in the name of Allah who created you”.

The Holy Prophet was directed by Allah Almighty to pray for enhancement in knowledge. So knowledge can not but be our Chief and prior concern. Education is important for self development, self fulfillment and for attaining physical, mental, social and emotional stability. Acquiring education does not mean only to gain some prescribed amount of knowledge or develop and enhance skills; it is preparation for better and a happier life.

Upgraded to middle level in 1912, Government High School No.1 was then known as Government Anglo Vernacular Middle School Thana. At that time this historical school was having a total enrolment of one hundred and seven students. Only three teachers were responsible for imparting education to the students. In fact they were fighting against the ignorance as some local Mullahs were actively involved in running campaign against the modern education. The presence of the names of Mr. Wishwant and Mr. Deewan Chand on the honor board of 1940’s clearly indicates that equal rights of studies are being given to both, the Muslims and minorities.

However over the period of time, the people of Thana village and other parts of Malakand Agency after realizing the need and importance of modern education started sending their children to the school. Consequently a large number of students were attracted from Swat, Dir, Bajour, Chitral, Batkhela, Dargai and many other villages. To accommodate all incoming students from the outskirts, a beautiful hostel was constructed in 1916. The people of Thana village voluntarily donated a big piece of land for extension in the school and construction of the hostel. On 7th June, 1934 the school was upgraded and renamed as Government High School Thana Malakand Agency.

Some area including play grounds, agricultural plot and the area pertaining to the then hostel was later on donated for construction of the Girls Degree College Thana which is also considered as the best contribution of the school.

Keeping in view the recent requirements of students, the school building has been renovated, enabling the management to impart education to the students both in Urdu and English languages. In addition to the compulsory subjects, Agriculture, Commerce, Industrial Arts and Technical Education subjects are also being taught in the school.

Till date, nine principals, eighteen Head masters, Four hundred eighty five teachers and one hundred ten non teaching staff of this historical school have rendered valuable services to the people of Malakand Division. A record number of twenty four thousand eight hundred and seven students have been enrolled and benefited from this school since its inception. A great number of VIPs including Lord Irvin, the then Viceroy of India visited this school on various occasions which clearly speaks of its importance.

Due to its high standard of education, hundreds of ex-students of this school have reached to high ranking positions in the armed forces and civil services of Pakistan which is not only a great honour for the school but also for the whole of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

Being one of the oldest schools in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Government High School No.1 is celebrating its centenary as the school is completing 100 years of triumphant years of service to the people of the KPK province.

While celebrating the centenary of Government High School No.1, the management has announced a number of awards for talented students in the name of the ex-students who have been greatly successful in their respective fields/professions. This will definitely set a good tradition for others to follow.

To commemorate 100th Anniversary of Government High School No.1 Thana, Malakand Division, Pakistan Post is issuing a commemorative postage stamp of Rs.8/- denomination on April 15, 2012.

150TH YEARS ANNIVERSARY OF ST.JOSEPH'S CONVENT SCHOOL, KARACHI PAKISTAN. (2012-6)

St. Joseph's Convent School is run by the Daughters of the Cross, Pakistan, under the auspices of the Catholic Board of Education, Karachi.

The school prepares students for the S.S.C. Examination of the Board of Secondary Education, Karachi, and for the School Certificate Examination of the Cambridge University.

This 150 years old institute was established in year 1862 by Monsignor Steins, Vicar Apostolic of Bombay and the five Sisters. On March 18th, school began with 10 pupils. Slowly the number of pupils increased. The first Government grant-in-aid was received in June 1863, Rs.50 per month.

The grand old School building is not only a proud possession of the Convent and its students, but is an extremely important landmark in the history of Karachi.

In 1862, Karachi was a city of about 60,000 inhabitants, but already counted about 5000 Catholics. With the creation of Pakistan a new challenge was thrown at the Sisters. The people who migrated to Pakistan were looking for schools for their children and the Sisters responded generously, stretching their capacity to the limit. Today the school has more than 2000 pupils on its rolls. The School enjoys a good reputation and is much in demand among the citizens of Karachi.

St. Joseph's Convent School is a comprehensive school offering O' Levels through the Cambridge University and the Matric Examination of the Pakistan Board of Secondary Education. St. Joseph's is a place where students, staff, parents, and the community work cooperatively to create an integrated curriculum and flexible educational program that meets the intellectual, emotional, physical, and social needs of an ever- expanding and diverse student population.

The School is also the pioneer in introducing Computer Education in its curriculum. It's students, on various national and international levels, have won prizes and certificates in Computer Studies including NISAC, the National Award Scheme in Computing, is a UK-based method of assessing basic computer literacy skills in various applications.

Apart from the academics, Students of St. Joseph's school are also ahead in co-curricular activities.

On the occasion of 150th years Anniversary of St. Joseph's Convent School, Karachi, Pakistan Post is issuing a commemorative postage stamp of Rs. 8/- denomination on March 19, 2012.

125th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS OF AITCHISON COLLEGE, LAHORE. (2012-5)

 

2011 is a very special year in the History of Aitchison, as we are celebrating 125th year of its foundation. The story of its creation is quite fascinating and goes back to the time when India being a prosperous land was a crucial colony for the English. They never wanted to part with it and always thought ways to perpetuate their rule. It was the land which provided valiant soldiers for the English Army and essential raw material for the English Industry.

The policy of confrontations and hostilities with the locals must have taken its toll on the rulers' zeal. That is why after 1857 War of Independence, in which the East India Company successfully crushed the locals, they brought considerable changes in their policies. 'Reconciliation' appeared to be the watchword. The Punjab, like many other Indian states had successfully been annexed by the British Government. They wanted to create a class of the locals who would be the interpreters between the English rulers and millions of locals a 'class Indian in blood and colour, but English in taste, in opinion and intellect'. They started with the local rulers. The English wanted to educate them on their lines. The Punjab Chiefs' School better known as Aitchison College: an elitist institution was founded for Wards of courts and youths of landlords. It was one of the five Chief Colleges.

Sir Charles Umpherston Aitchison (1832-1896) the Governor of the Punjab took personal interest in its making. Col. Swindon S. Jacob, Bhai Ram Singh and J. Lockwood Kipling father of the famous English writer Rudyard Kipling were responsible for the design and unique architecture of the Main Building. On 3rd of November 1886, the Viceroy the Marquess of Dufferin and Ava came to the spacious but empty campus to lay the foundation stone of the main College building.

Over the years it has undergone transformation in campus facilities and its basic characteristic as a boarding school. Many new buildings and schools within the College came up with the passage of time. Admission policy and Fee Structure revised. It would now be misnomer to call Aitchison an Exclusive and Elitist College since it caters for students from all social strata. If Aitchison still is the household name for feudal families, bureaucrats and politicians, it is equally nostalgic to many who belong to Middle, Upper Middle or even weaker families. The College provides full scholarship to a few deserving and intelligent students who hail from rural areas of all the provinces of Pakistan.

The College is divided into three main Schools - Junior, Prep and Senior. Junior School caters for students from grade 1 to 5. Prep School acts as a middle school between Junior and Senior Schools. It nurtures younger boys aged 11 to 13 in grades 6 to 8. During his stay, at Prep School, a student undergoes the most crucial phase of his biological and mental development. He attains adolescence; changes from childhood to manhood. The skills he learns and character moulded in Prep School remains embedded in his mind for ever.

Senior School is the culmination of a boy's learning at Aitchison. After taking their external 'O' and 'A' Level Cambridge Examinations they go out to explore the diverse world of higher education in Universities and Colleges at home and abroad. From Howard to Oxford and from LUMS to Agha Khan Medical University, the presence of Aitchisonians can be felt. After completing education they join various professions in Pakistan and abroad. Aitchison College has produced eminent personalities in sports, politics and other professional fields. To name a few; Malik M Feroz Khan Noon, Nawab Amir Muhammad Khan of Kalabagh, Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti, Muhammad Bahawal Khan Abbasi, Farooq Ahmad Leghari, Mir Zafrullah Khan Jamali, Sardar Yar Muhammad jamali, Sardar Zulfiqar Ali Khosa, Khawaja Ahmed Tariq Rahim, Nawab Muhammad Mumtaz Hussain Khan Patuaudi, Mir Ala Dad Khan of Khairpur, Mir Balakh Sher Mazari, Syed Babar Ali, Chaudhry Aitzaz Ahsan, Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Imran Khan, Majid Khan, Ramiz Raja, Hasan Sardar, Syed M. Jaffar, Syed Qasim Zia, all hail from Aitchison.

Philanthropy at national scene is a laudable feature of Aitchisonians. Whenever, our country was in need; be it the flood, the earthquake or any other natural calamity our students always prove true to their responsibility. They contribute financially on yearly basis to various charitable organizations and trusts.

In short, Aitchison is unique in history and achievements and proud of 125 years of academic accomplishment.

On 125th Anniversary Celebrations of Aitchison College Lahore 2012, Pakistan Post is issuing a commemorative postage stamp of Rs. 8/- denomination on March 3, 2012.

70 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE STATE BANK OF PAKISTAN (1948-2018) (2018-6)

At the time of partition of the sub-continent in 1947, it was agreed that the Reserve Bank of India would continue to function as the currency and banking authority in Pakistan till 30th September, 1948. This arrangement, embodied in the Pakistan Monetary System and Reserve Bank Order, 1947, was considered necessary. However, soon after the establishment of Pakistan it become evident that in the best interests of the country, it should have a central banking, institution of its own.

It was considered expedient to model the proposed institution on the line of the Reserve Bank of India and draft legislation for the purpose was issued in the form of the State Bank of Pakistan Order, 1948 on 12th May 1948 The functions, duties and powers of the State Bank were to be broadly similar to those of the Reserve Bank of India. The State Bank was charged with the responsibility of "regulating the issue of barnk notes and keeping of reserves with a view to securing monetary stability in Pakistan and generally to operate the currency and credit system of the country to its advantage", the 1956 Act which with subsequent amendments constitutes the current charter of the Bank requires it "to regulate the monetary and credit system of Pakistan and foster its growth in the best hational interests with a view to securing monetary stability and fuller utillization of the country's productive resources".

Simultaneously with the task of withdrawing the India notes and replacing them with Pakistan currency, the state bank had to revive and rehabilitate the banking system in the country which had virtually collapsed in the wake of partition of the Sub continent. Prior to independence (August, 1947) there were 46 scheduled bank offices in Pakistan dwindled from 631 to 195.

ใช้ 1949, the State bank initiated scheme for setting up a commercial bank which-would have a broader outlook and would be in a position to launch a bold branch expansion programe in the country.

One of the primary responsibilities assigned to the State Bank under its Charter is to regulate the monetary and credit system of Pakistan with a view to securing monetary stability in the country. Monetary stability signifies the avoidance of inflationary or deflationary pressures and maintenance of equilibrium in the balances of payments.

State Bank of Pakistan Role & Functions

Role:

State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), from the time of its establishment on 1st July 1948, in addition to the traditional Central Banking functions has also been entrusted with the additional task of instituting a sound Banking System in the newly established country.

Objectives

The princple objective of SBP as envisaged in the SBP Act 1956 is to promote monetary and financial stability and foster a sound and dynamic financialsystem so as to achieve sustained and equitable economic growth and prosperity in Pakistan.

Primary Functions

·         Sole Authority to Issue Notes

·         Monetary Management

·         Exchange Rate Management

·         Regulationton Supervision of the Financial System

·         Efficient Payment Systems

·         Lender of the Last Resort

Secondary Functions:

·         Public Debt Management

·         Advisor to Government

·         Liasioning with International Financial Institutions

·         Bankers. Bank

·         Banker to Government

Developmental Functions:

·         Development of financial framework

·         Providing credit to priority sectors/ specialized financial institutions ect'

·         Development of Islamic Banking System

·         Providing training to banking sector

On occasion of 70 years of excellence State Bank of Pakistan, a commemorative postage stamp of Rs. 8/- denomination is being issue by Pakistan Post on July 01, 2018.

18th MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF HEADS OF STATE OF SHANGHAI COOPERATION ORGANIZATION QINGDAO SUMMIT, 2018 (2018-4)

On the eve of Qingdao Summit SCO Member States are issuing a commemorating stamp marking the occasion of the 18th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of Shanghai Cooperation Organization which will be held in Qingdao China on 09-10 June, 2018.

The summit marks a year since Pakistan joined SCO as full Member This is the first Heads of State Summit being attended by Pakistan as a Full Member. SCO currently has 8 member States which are India, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, "Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Heads of State of Member States who will attend the summit ficlude:

·         Prime Minister of the Republic of India H.E. Mr. Narendra Modi,

·         President of the Republic of Kazakhstan H.E. Mr. N. A. Nazarbayev,

·         Chairman of the People's Republic of China H.E. Mr. XI Jinping, President of the Kyrgyz Republic H.E. Mr. S. Sh. Zheenbekov,

·         President of the Russian Federation H.E. Mr. V. V. Putin,

·         President of the Republic of Tajikistan H.E. Mr. E.Rahmon

·         President of the Republic of Uzbekistan H.E. Mr. Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

A númber of documents/MOUs and Agreements will be signed during the conference which reflects high level of mutual trust and cooperation amongst the Member States.

H.EMr Xi Jinping, President of the People's Republic of China will Chair the meeting being the host of the CHS. The Council of Heads of State is the supreme decision-making body in the SCO. It meets once a year and adopts decisions and guidelines on all important matters of the organization.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is a permanent intergovernmental organization which is successor to the Shanghai Five, a security mechanism initially established to deal with the border problems between China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

SCO has evolved into a multi-faceted regional organization working for regional economic cooperation. It is based on "Shanghai Spirit" which is defined as mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for cultural diversity and pursuit of common development. SCO also adheres to the principles of non-alignment, non-targeting any third country, and openness.

Pakistan became an Observer State of SCO in 2005 and following due process Pakistan became a member of SCO in 2017 at Astana Summit. Our membership fulfills a key foreign policy goal, inspired by a vision of a peaceful neighborhood and connectivity. Pakistan shares with SCO and its Members, deep rooted historical and cultural links and strong economic and strategic complementarities. Our interests and objectives intersect across a wide range of areas and issues.

Pakistan sees SCO as an important forum for regional cooperation. It includes our major development and strategic partners. We believe that it has a vital role in safeguarding peace and security in the region and its socio economic development. It promotes multifaceted cooperation in the region in a wide array of fields. It allows us to share perspectives, coordinate positions and develop practical and concrete cooperation with these important countries.

Pakistan is committed to enhancing our relations with all SCO members on the basis of its core values an enunciated in the Charter and the Shanghai Spirit.

Pakistan also sees SCO-RATS as an important and useful forum for cooperation against the common enemy of terrorism. Pakistan has been able to successfully combat terrorism on our soil and are ready to share our experiences in tackling the menace of terrorism through the SCO-RATS.

The initiatives of SCO on investment promotion, trade facilitation, customs cooperation, E-commerce, small and medium enterprises, rail and road connectivity and tourism cooperation will improve the living standards of our people and enhance peace and prosperity in the region.

SCO can be a major vehicle for cooperation under the belt & road initiative. All SCO countries are connected through the ancient Silk Route.

On 18^th meeting of the council of head of state of Shabghai Cooperation Organization Qingdao Summit, 2018, the commemorative postage stamp of Rs. 10/- denominations being issued by Pakistan Post on June 09, 2018.