50TH ANNIVERSARY OF TARBELA DAM. October 1st, 2024 (2024-10)

 

Year 2024 marks a momentous occasion for development of water and hydropower resources in Pakistan, as the iconic Tarbela Dam turns 50 this year. After completion of the civil works of Tarbela Dam by WAPDA in third quarter of 1974, filling of water in the reservoir commenced 50 years ago.

Tarbela Dam stands as a symbol of national pride over the last five decades. Tarbela is the capstone of the Indus Basin Plan to ensure the continued and improved supply of water to millions of acres of irrigated land in Pakistan, mitigate floods and generate green, clean and most affordable hydroelectricity to move wheel of the national economy.

Tarbela Dam Project has been playing an instrumental role for economic development and social uplift in Pakistan during the last 50 years. The contribution Tarbela Dam Project has made towards progress in the country can be judged from the fact that it has released 406-million-acre feet (MAF) of stored water from the reservoir for agriculture and contributed 590,361 million units of low-cost and environment friendly hydel electricity to the National Grid. It is important to note that the economic and financial benefits of one MAF of water in Pakistan are estimated at US$ 1,000 million (US$ 1 billion). Therefore, total benefits accrued from Tarbela Dam during the last 50 years stand at US$ 406 billion.

Tarbela Dam, the largest earth and rock-fill dam in the world at the time of its completion, is located across River Indus 64 Km north-west of Islamabad. The construction work on Tarbela Dam commenced in 1968, while all the civil workscompleted in 1974. Development of powerhouses commenced in phases starting from 1974 onwards.

Tarbela Dam Project consists of a 9,000 feet (2,743 meters) long and 470 feet (143 meters) high embankment across the entire width of the river. It has two spillways with cumulative discharge capacity of 1,500,000 cusecs (42,476 cumeces). Two auxiliary embankment dams close the low- level ridges in the left bank valley. A group of 4 tunnels, each 0.8 Km long through the right abutment, were constructed for irrigation releases and power generation.

Tarbela reservoir which spans over an area of 259 square Km, had initially a live storage of 9.68 MAF. However, it has reduced to 5.77 MAF due to natural phenomenon of sedimentation during the last 50 years.

A power station on the right bank near the toe of main dam houses 17 power units at Tunnels 1, 2,3 and 4. Tarbela is the biggest electricity generation facility in Pakistan with installed capacity of 4888 MW51.6% of the total hydel capacity of WAPDA. The installed capacity at Tarbela will further increase to 6418 MW after completion of the under- construction Tarbela 5th Extension Hydropower Project.

Cost of Tarbela Dam Project including power units 1 to 14 amounts to US $ 2,630 million. Cost of Tarbela 4th Extension Hydropower Project with power units 15 to 17 stands at US$ 1,075 million, while that of under-construction Tarbela 5^th Extension, with power units 18 to 20, is estimated at US $ 807 million.

To mark 50 years completion of Tarbela Dam, the Commemorative Postage Stamp of Rs.50/-denomination is being issue by Pakistan Post on October 1st, 2024.

Convention On The Rights Of The Child Decade Celebration. 1999-17)

 

Every society hopes and expects that its children will grow up to be capable and responsible citizens who contribute to the well being of their communities. Yet, around the world children are denied the rights that would enable them to survive, develop fully and participate actively.

Children whose basic needs and fundamental rights are denied can not be expected to mature into caring, productive adults who will respect the rights of others. Violations of rights are not only the cause of personal suffering, they also sow the seeds for political and social unrest, even for violent conflicts.

For the sake of both individual and global development, children around the world need to understand the concept of rights.

WHAT IS THE CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD

The convention on the rights of the child is a United Nations agreement that spells out the range of rights that children everywhere are entitled to. This convention is the first Universal legally binding code of Child Rights in history. It brings together in one treaty all the relevant Child Rights issues, rather than having them scattered in a number of international treaties. Countries that ratify the convention (thereby becoming “State Parties” to it) agree to be legally bound by its provisions.

The Convention on the Rights of the Child contains 54 articles, each of which details a different type of Right.

Four broad categories of the document are as follows.

1. Survival Rights

2. Development Rights

3. Protection Rights

4. Participation Rights

HOW DID THE CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD COME ABOUT?

In 1948 the United Nations General Assembly adopted a Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This document includes Children’s Rights.

In 1959, a declaration of the Rights of the Child was adopted by the United Nations. It consisted of 10 rights, and was not a legal binding on the countries that signed it. In 1978, a draft convention on Children’s Rights was submitted to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights by the Government of Poland.

During the International Year of the Child in1979, the Commission set up a working group to coordinate the range of ideas on the draft convention being submitted by governments around the world.

On 20 November 1989, the Convention on the Rights of the Child was completed and adopted by the General Assembly. The convention entered into force in 1990, after being ratified by 20 countries.

As of 1 December 1993,153 countries have demonstrated their commitment to the future of their children by ratifying the convention on the Rights of the Child.

CHILDREN’S RIGHTS AND PARENTS

While the Convention on the Rights of the Child upholds a number of basic rights, it dose not in fringe on the rights of parents to decide what is best for their children. Instead it specifically states that government shall make every effort to keep families intact, and shall provide support and assistance to parents in fulfilling their primary responsibilities with regard to the upbringing and development of their children.

The promotion of Children’s Rights is not a matter of placing children in conflict with adult authorities in their lives, but of encouraging all citizens to work together for a safe, healthy and productive future for children.

To commemorate the occasion Pakistan Post Office is issuing a commemorative postage stamp of Rs 2 denomination on November 20, 1999.

100 Years Of Shell In Pakistan. 1999-16)

The energy sector is of vital significance to a developing country like Pakistan as both agriculture and industry are highly dependent on energy to fuel growth. Moreover, with a rapidly increasing population, greater urbanization and high rates of economic growth, energy demand seems set to rise by 6-8 percent a year.

As one of the largest investors in the energy sector Shell plays a vital role in the country’s economic uplift by enhancing the quality of products and services as well as improving the distribution infrastructure. Shell also plays a role in the exploration for oil and gas which helps reduce dependence on imports.

Shell has a strong brand name with a 100-year history in this region. In 1899, the Company began by importing kerosene from Azerbaijan probably as a fuel for lamps - in fact the Company is still in possession of a fuel storage tank from that period.

In 1928, from Asiatic Petroleum, the name of the Company changed to the Burmah Shell Oil Storage and Distribution Company of India when the marketing interests of the Royal Dutch Shell Group and the Burmah Oil Company in India merged.

After the independence of Pakistan in 1947, the name was changed to the Burmah Shell Oil Distribution Company of Pakistan. In 1970 Burmah Shell divested 51 percent to the public and became a listed company renamed Pakistan Burmah Shell (PBS), with Burmah Oil and Shell retaining 24.5 percent stakes each.

Finally, in early 1993, Shell acquired Burmah Oil’s holdings along with an additional 2 percent purchased in the market to obtain majority share-holding of the company which was renamed Shell Pakistan Limited (SPL) a partnership between Pakistani and foreign investors.

But the story does not end here. As an energy company committed to sustainable development, Shell has been active in both upstream (exploration) and downstream projects (refining, blending, distribution and marketing) to contribute to fulfilling Pakistan’s energy requirements.

To this end the Royal Dutch Shell Group has interests in three other companies in Pakistan; 100 percent share-holding of Shell Development and Offshore Pakistan B.V, 67 percent stake in Burshane (Pakistan) Limited and 30 percent stake in Pakistan Refinery Limited.

SHELL IN PAKISTAN TODAY

With annual sales approaching US $ 1 billion, Shell Pakistan is one of the leading private sector companies in Pakistan. The Company has achieved rapid growth in recent years through a vigorous capital investment programme and by ensuring international standards of service and product quality.

However investment is not limited to infrastructure alone - Shell Pakistan prides itself on its investment in people; not merely through job creation but also through training and the build up of experience and skills. This commitment covers the whole spectrum of our people, whether we are developing the business leaders of tomorrow or teaching our pump attendants basic literacy. Shell Pakistan provides employment directly or indirectly to over 12,000 persons in Pakistan.

SPL is one of the highest corporate tax payers having paid Rs. 1.5 billion to the exchequer and collected Rs 87 billion in government duties during 1993-1999 alone. Sales volumes and profitability continue to grow with the Company announcing a record divided of 125 percent for the year 1998/1999.

As a major oil marketer, Shell currently holds about 22 percent share of the hydro-carbon business in Pakistan. In addition to its products, the Company is supplying value added services in long term relationships to industries and businesses including cement, sugar, textiles, airlines, railways, ports, road transport, construction etc.

The retail network of over 1100 petrol pumps is the flag bearer of the business. Shell sells a range of products including Motor Gasoline, High Speed Diesel and lubricants from its Retail Sites built to the highest international standards. Shell has demonstrated market leadership by providing the best to its customers in terms of physical facilities and customer value propositions which others strive to emulate.

Shell takes pride in being a responsible corporate citizen having contributed over Rs. 30 million to the Pakistani community through its social investment programme during the past 6 years.

Through this programme Shelf has had and continues to maintain relationships with a number of non-governmental organisations working in the areas of community welfare, health, education, heritage and the environment.

After all Shelf sees its role as not just that of a commercial operator, but as part of the community and society of which it is an integral part. The aspirations of the people of Pakistan are Shell’s aspirations as well and it will continue helping those people build a better world.

Shell is working hard toward the economic development of the country by participating in and actively advocating Pakistan’s investment possibilities at home and overseas. In this regard it has invested heavily and consistently in the region for over a hundred. Shell has been active at all economic forums including the Overseas Chamber of Commerce and Industry of which it was the Chairman and has worked closely with the government in formulating and advising on policy.

It has received several awards for high performance including the Top Companies Award presented by The Karachi Stock Exchange in 1997, 1994 and 1993. Shell’s commitment to the country’s economic and social development remains unequivocal and it hopes to see a prosperous Pakistan moving ever faster on the road of development.

AFTER ALL ‘YOU CAN BE SURE OF SHELL’

To commemorate the occasion Pakistan Post Office is issuing a commemorative postage stamp of Rs 4 denomination on November 15,1999.

The National Bank Of Pakistan Golden Jubilee. (1999-15)

 

The National Bank of Pakistan was established under the National Bank of Pakistan Ordinance XIX of 1949.

Through its sizeable participation in the equity of the Bank, adequate representation on the Board of Directors, and responsibility for the appointment of the chief executive, the Government has always been closely associated with the formulation of policies and the direction of the affairs of the Bank.

Due to this close association, efforts have at all times been directed and resources mobilise to best serve the economic objective and social needs of the country. The Bank has over the years acquired specialised knowledge and experience of the working and financial requirement of both the public and private sectors.

National Bank of Pakistan plays a unique role in the financial sector of Pakistan. In terms of stature and public perception no other institution is comparable to it. This unique role confers on the institution a dual responsibility - to be a commercial bank in its own right; and at the same time, as a trustee of public finances, to act as a custodian of the public interest.

Through the years the Bank has moved forward with great vigour recording unparalleled progress and making an ever-increasing contribution to the economic development of the country.

The bank through a wide network of 1445 domestic and 23 overseas branches has been extending short, medium as well as long term credit facilities to private and public sectors of the economy, covering industrial commercial, agricultural activities besides financing imports and exports, implementing special credit schemes like small finance for agriculture, business, industries, Qarz-e-Hasana to students, housing finance, self employment scheme for unemployed persons, public transport scheme.

By rendering active help, it has assisted the government in its endeavours towards greater investment and flow of funds to priority sectors and provision of services whenever required, like Haj services, collection of utility bills, paying of pension to central and provincial government pensioners, as well as civilian military pensioners and retired army personnel.

The Bank also collects the railway earnings from railway stations and booking agencies all over Pakistan. It is also widely appreciated that National Bank of Pakistan has always tried to serve national aims.

It has made tremendous contribution to the development of small and medium sized entrepreneurs who could not get service from private banking. Many have flourished because NBP patronized them.

In the early 1960s, the Bank introduced Peoples Credit Scheme, under which it encouraged small borrowers to avail loans upto a maximum of 50,000 on easy terms to enable them to set up and operate small industries and commercial establishments.

During this period the Bank was regularly extending School and Factory Banking schemes in the very premises of schools and factories in order to inculcate savings habit among a larger segment. The Bank also had in the 1 960s Rural Mobile Banking Scheme, so that people living in rural areas could open their accounts with these mobile units.

It was in 1972 that National Bank of Pakistan evolved Supervised Agricultural credit Programme, which brought practical and comprehensive banking service to the doorstep of the Pakistani farmer. Later the other Pakistani commercial banks also adopted the scheme. In the late 1970s after the successful implementation of the supervised rural Credit. Programme, the Bank launched a similar scheme to provide assistance. to self-employed engineers, technicians and mistries.

The scheme was called Supervised Credit for Technology. Under this scheme, credit, in the form of medium term development loan as well as a regular revolving overdraft facility was available to individuals/institutions engaged in advancement adoption of technology in various sectors of the country\'s economy.

From 1985, the Bank has been disbursing Qarz-e-Hasana Loans on compassionate grounds, free of interest or service charge, in line with the non-interest modes of financing approved by the State Bank to deserving students who wish to pursue their studies, but lack the resources.

NBP has always in corporate the economic reforms introduced by the Government from time to time . It is playing a major role in the Self Employment Scheme, aimed at providing self employment through income generating business activities. As part of the Computer Literacy Programme, NBP has set up Computer Centers at selected cities, which are catering to the demand for high still education in areas where it is traditionally not available.

It has also contributed large resources to different hospitals, to play its due part in the development of the health sector. In the area of sports also, NBP has over the year sponsored sporting events, will be undertaking construction of a sports complex at Karachi, among its other activities.

In short, National Bank of Pakistan has since its inception played a pronounced role in the socio- economic development of the country.

To commemorate the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of National Bank of Pakistan, Pakistan Post Office is issuing one commemorative postage stamp of Rs 5 denomination on November 8,1999.

First Anniversary Of Martyrdom Of Hakim Mohammed Said. (1999-14)

 

Hakim Mohammed Said a many faceted personality, Physician, Visionary, author, bibliophile, idealist, innovator, organizer, philanthropist and educationist -- embraced martyrdom on Saturday the 17th October 1998 at 6.02 am as he was about to enter his clinic.

By and large it was through Hakim Mohammed Said’s untiring efforts that the WHO accepted Tibb as an Alternate Medicine. It was his main aim that the Hakim, the Doctor and the Scientist should work jointly as a triumvirate, for “Health for all by the year 2000”. As a physician, he treated 3 million patients.

Shaheed Hakim Mohammed Said was held in high esteem by anyone who came in touch with him so long as he lived. His magnanimous qualities of head and heart were so endearing. He was a herbalist, a physician a scholar and researcher, an able administrator, an astute planner, a visionary and an educationist all at once. He loved children and children loved him. Like a statesman, his eyes were fixed on the next generation.

He was sought by the sick and he made himself freely available to them without ever charging a fee. He was a philanthropist and a lover of knowledge. He was a true Muslim and died in a state of fasting which was his wont. He was a pious and abstemious man whose heart bled for humanity.

Each of these peerless qualities in the modern world he demonstrated with deeds which are now a part of history and which exhort us to cherish his memory.

Shaheed Hakim Mohammad Said never shirked humanitarian and national duties whenever he was called upon to play his part-as a Federal Minister of Tibb, as a Governor of the Province of Sindh, as a consultant and as an advisor.

He represented Pakistan ably in more than one hundred fifty national and international conferences and congresses in which he presented scholarly papers. These words are shy of a fuller narrative of his achievements and contributions, but his Madinat al-Hikmah the city of education, science and culture is a living symbol of all he stood for. It is a solid witness to his single-minded determination to usher in, single-handedly, a renaissance of the Glory of Islamic learning.

At Madinat al-Hikmah he now lies in peace which was his dearest dream--the benison of peace through love and dignity of mankind, peace through mutual understanding. May his soul rest in Peace, Amen.

Born on 9th January, 1920, Hakim Mohammad Said migrated to Pakistan on 9th January, 1948 and founded his Hamdard Dawakhana at Karachi. Sole proprietorship of Hamdard Dawakhana (Waqf) was converted into Islamic Waqf on 1st April 1953. Business activities and welfare activities were. carried out by Hamdard (Waqf) itself.

Later, it was considered appropriate to administer and control the charitable unit separately and independently from the business unit hence HAMDARD FOUNDATION PAKISTAN was established.

Where as HAMDARD EDUCATION SOCIETY of Pakistan was established to perform educational activities of Hamdard (Waqf).

MADINAT AL-HIKMAH Inspired by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Hakim Mohammed Said established Madinat al-Hikmah the City of Education, Science and Culture in the vicinity of Karachi in 1983, where the following educational institutions have since been established and are functioning.

1. HAMDARD PUBLIC SCHOOL

2. HAMDARD COLLEGE OF SCIENCE

3. HAMDARD COLLEGE OF COMMERCE

4. HAMDARD VILLAGE SCHOOL

5. HAMDARD UNIVERSITY: Hamdard College of Medicine and Dentistry

Hamdard College of Eastern Medicine

Hamdard Institute of Management Sciences

Hamdard Institute of Education and Social Sciences

Hamdard Institute of Information Technology

Dr Hafiz Mohammad Ilyas Institute of Pharmacology and Herbal Sciences Centre for Horticulture and Hydrochemistry Lab.

BAIT AL-HIKMAH It is fully equipped with latest facilities and is one of the largest libraries in South Asia.

COMMITMENT TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF CHILDREN

Shaheed Hakim Mohammed Said was deeply interested in the development of children of Pakistan. Throughout his life he worked for their health, education and development by establishing the following.

BAZM-E-HAMDARD NAUNEHAL now NAUNEHAL ASSEMBLY

NAUNEHAL SHAHR (CHILDREN’S CITY) where children will receive education through recreation. A full-fledged children’s literature division, NAUNEHAL ADAB was established to produce good quality books.

NAUNEHAL BOOK CLUB which has a membership of over five thousand. The Club has played an important role in promoting book reading among children.

INTELLECTUAL FORUMS

SHAM-I-HAMDARD now MAJLIS-E-SHOORA --- HAMDARD THINKERS FORUM: Dialogue with a galaxy of prominent scientists, historians. culturists, educationists, writers, poets, physicians, intellectuals, scholars, lawyers, economists, jurists, journalists etc.

PUBLICATIONS

Wrote and edited over 200 books both in Urdu and English languages. Published more than 500 articles on Islam, medicine, history and philosophy of science etc. Regular publications included.

1. Monthly Unesco Payami (Urdu version of UNESCO Courier), 1977-90

2. Quarterly Hamdard lslamicus-1978 continued

3. Quarterly Hamdard Medicine-i 957 continued

4. SPEM, Bulletin of the Society for the Promotion of Eastern Medicine-1958-1967

5. Medical Times (Fortnightly) -1963-1987

POSITIONS HELD

Advisor/Federal Minister to the President of Pakistan on Tibb, 1979-82. Governor of Sindh 19th July 1993 to 21st January 1994.

HONOURS PRIZES AND AWARDS

1. D.Sc. “Medicina Alternative” The International Multidisciplinary Scientific Society on Alternative Medicine-i 984.

2. Sitara-i-Imtiaz, Pakistan 1966

3. Sadiq Dost Award, from the people of Bahawalpur through Commissioner of Bahawalpur, Pakistan

4. Certificate of merit from the Institute of History of Science and Technology, Istanbul Technical University, Turkey 1981

5. Islamic Medicine Prize, Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences, Kuwait 1982

6. Winner of the Novosti Press Agency’s (USSR) Abu Ali lbn Sina (Avecenna) International Prize for 1989

7. World No-Tobacco Day Medal Award-1995 from World Health Organization

8. Award conferred by the Pakistan League of the United States of America, New York, 1996 for services in the field of health, education and social work

9 Outstanding Pakistani Award by the Rotary Club Islamabad Cosmopolitan--i 996

ASSOCIATION WITH NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL LEARNED SOCIETIES

NATIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

1. President, Institute of Health and Tibbi (Medical) Research

2. Secretary General, Society for the Promotion of Eastern Medicine (SPEM)

3. Founder, Awaz-e-Akhlaq Movement

4. President, Society for the Promotion and Improvement of Libraries (SPIL) Pakistan

5. President, Pakistan Historical Society

6. President, Ibn-e-Khaldun Education Society

7. President, Institute of Central and West Asian Studies

8. Member, Board of Governors, Sindh Madressah-Tul-Islam

9. President, Cancer Association of Pakistan

10. President, Pakistan Tibbi Association

INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

1. Member, Administrative Council of the International Fund for the Promotion of Culture, UNESCO, Paris, France

2. Member, Executive Committee, International Union for Health Promotion and Education, Paris, France

3. Member, New York Academy of Sciences, New York, USA

4. Associate Member, Royal Society of Health, London, England

5. Member, International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, Paris, France

6. Member, International Council for Health, Physical Educational, Recreation, Sport and Dance, USA

7. Member, The Institute for Advanced Research in Asian, Science and Medicine, USA

8. Member, American Institute of the History of Pharmacy, USA

9. British Society for History of Science, England

10. Vice President, Board of Trustees of the Islamic Organization for Medical Sciences Kuwait

11. Member, History of Science Society USA

12. Member of the Planetary Society USA

13. Chairman, Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, Pakistan Chapter

14. International Trustee Duke of Edinburgh’s Award London

Courtesy: HAMDARD FOUNDATION PAKISTAN, KARACHI.

To commemorate the occasion Pakistan Post Office is issuing a commemorative postage stamp of Rs 51 denomination on October 17, 1999.