WOMEN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY SIALKOT COMMEMORATIVE POSTAGE STAMP JANUARY 27, 2025 (2025-05)

 

The Women Chamber of Commerce & Industry Sialkot (WCCIS), established in 2021 to foster the economic empowerment of women in Sialkot, one of Pakistan's premier industrial cities. WCCIS represents approximately 550 women, including 160 direct WCCIS members and 390 associates through the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SCCI), forming a network of Micro, SMEs, and SMEs engaged in manufacturing and export sectors.

The Women Chamber's mission is to champion the interests of women entrepreneurs and promote their role in economic growth, focusing on equitable opportunities in both local and international markets. Recognizing the need for inclusive development, WCCIS advocates for policies and initiatives that facilitate access to resources, training, and professional development for women, supporting their businesses in becoming competitive players on the global stage. Through these efforts, WCCIS envisions a future where women-led enterprises thrive as vital contributors to sustainable economic growth.

Since its inception, WCCIS has actively advanced the interests of its members through a variety of initiatives. Key advocacy efforts include promoting gender-responsive public procurement policies to enhance access to government contracts, campaigning for fiscal advantages, and supporting policies for safe and harassment-free workplaces. Moreover, WCCIS is dedicated to fostering women's health and well-being, providing regular awareness sessions on topics such as cancer prevention and heart health. These efforts are geared towards creating a secure and inclusive environment where women can pursue professional success without compromising on safety or wellness.

The Women Chamber offers a comprehensive array of programs that support capacity building, training, and market access for women entrepreneurs. In collaboration with international organizations, WCCIS has organized skill-development workshops, including sessions on digital marketing, branding, and video editing, as well as sustainable initiatives like tree plantation and kitchen gardening workshops. These programs are designed to help members refine their skills, expand their knowledge, and build confidence to compete in diverse markets. Furthermore, to bridge the gap between business and academia, WCCIS has facilitated knowledge exchange with institutions such as the University of Sialkot (USKT) and the University of Management and Technology (UMT), strengthening industry-academia ties.

One of WCCIS's flagship accomplishments is the WE-Exhibit, Sialkot's first dedicated exhibition for women entrepreneurs, which was launched in 2023. This event quickly garnered support from prominent global organizations, including the International Trade Centre (ITC), and attracted a UK Inward Trade Mission in 2024, resulting in business deals valued at over £2 million within six months. The success of the WE-Exhibit exemplifies WCCIS's commitment to providing international exposure for its members. In 2025, WCCIS anticipates hosting an even larger delegation from the UK and extending an invitation to a U.S. business delegation. In addition to these programs, WCCIS has embarked on a multi-phase research project to analyze women's workforce participation in Sialkot, aiming to identify the key factors influencing women's economic engagement. This research will inform future strategies and policies to support women's contributions across various industries. As part of its future plans, WCCIS is developing initiatives such as a child care center to assist businesswomen with young children, affordable transport options to facilitate safe commuting for working women, and sector-specific training centers to enhance skills relevant to Sialkot's primary industries, including textiles, sports goods, and surgical instruments.

In pursuit of our mission, WCCIS values partnerships with international organizations and stakeholders to broaden the scope and impact of its services. Our ongoing collaboration with ITC and JICA underscores our commitment to global cooperation, with plans for initiatives such as Japanese language courses, industry-specific research and development, and support for market entry through trade exhibitions. With the proposed establishment of a business incubation center, WCCIS will further provide women entrepreneurs with mentorship, resources, and skill development, fostering an ecosystem conducive to innovation and success.

The Women Chamber of Commerce & Industry Sialkot is dedicated to creating pathways for women's economic inclusion, equipping them with the tools to succeed in dynamic markets. By empowering women to lead and grow successful businesses, WCCIS believes we are building not only stronger businesses but stronger communities and a more equitable economy. We welcome opportunities to collaborate with partners who share our vision for a prosperous future led by empowered women.

INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATIONS:

• International Trade Centre (ITC) - International Trade Centre

•FCDO - Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (UK)

• UK Govt. - United Kingdom Government

• GIZ Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (German Society for International Cooperation)

• JICA-Japan International Cooperation Agency

• USAID United States Agency for International Development UN Women United Nations Entity for Gender

• Equality and the Empowerment of Women

•NAPP Fair trade National Association for the Promotion of Fair Trade (NAPP)

In recognition of the great work being done by the Women Chamber of Commerce & Industry Sialkot, a commemorative postage stamp of Rs. 50/- denomination is being issued by Pakistan Post on 27th January, 2025.

Britain International School & College's visited Multan GPO

Today on 03-02-2025 students of the renowned educational institution, the Multan Britain International School & College visited Multan GPO for the educational & recreational trip.

The exhibition of commemorative stamps was arranged for their knowledge in the premises of Multan GPO. Manager EP Center Multan GPO, Senior Postmaster Multan GPO(DLY) and Stamp Collector.

 Tayyab Ehsan briefed the students about all operations and activities of Pakistan Post department. This activity proved to be very healthy and fruitful.

INAUGURATION OF GWADAR INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, JANUARY 20, 2025 (2025-4)

 

New Gwadar International Airport was conceived in 2014 as an early harvest, high priority project of the 56 billion USD CPEC (China Pakistan Economic Corridor) which is part of China's BRI (Belt and Road Initiative). It was approved by ECNEC (Executive Committee of National Economic Council) in January 2015. The project was funded through a Chinese grant and the agreement was signed in May 2017. Soil testing on the project site was started in January 2018 and involved drilling of 300 boreholes at various locations. The groundbreaking ceremony was held in March 2019, with construction completed in August 2024. The airport is part of an overall infrastructure development of Baluchistan.

The airport is expected to stimulate the development in Gwadar peninsula and boost trade between Pakistan and China. It is the second green field airport of the country after Islamabad International Airport with all modern facilities for safe operations. The airport is located 26 km east of Gwadar in the Gurandani area, just off the Makran Coastal Highway. The Airport is capable of handling narrow body aircraft such as ATR, Airbus A320 and Boeing B737, as well as wide body aircraft such as Airbus A380 and Boeing B747. The airport presently has a single runway with provision for future second runway at a distance of 760 meter to the north. The present runway 25/07 has a length of 3,658 meter and width of 75 meter including paved shoulders, while the link taxiway is 23 meter wide with 10.5 meter paved shoulders on both sides. The terminal building has a floor area of 14,000m2 and features modern facilities for passenger comfort and convenience. The cargo terminal has an initial handling capacity of 30,000 tons per year. A modern ATC (Air Traffic Control) complex, FCR (Fire, Crash and Rescue) building, Fuel farm and other associated buildings are part of this airport. Gwadar airport is the biggest airport of Pakistan by land area and is built across 4,300 acres. In comparison, the land area of Karachi airport is 3,700 acres, Islamabad airport 3,600 acres and Lahore airport 2,800 acres. The airport will be operated as a joint venture between Pakistan, China and Oman and will be operated under open sky policy. The airport will not only benefit the country but will also provide the landlocked countries of central Asia access to international markets through a combination of air, sea and land routes. The airport is testament to China Pakistan friendship that is "higher than Himalayas, deeper than ocean, sweeter than honey and stronger than steel.

On the occasion of Inauguration of Gwadar International Airport, a Commemorative Postage Stamp of Rs. 30/- denomination and Souvenir Sheet (Value of Rs. 100/-) are being issued by Pakistan Post on 20th January, 2025.

ABDUR RAHΜΑΝ CHUGHTAΙ (1894 - 1975) 50th DEATH ANNIVERSARY, JANUARY 17th, 2025 (2025-3)

 

Abdur Rahman Chughtai (21 September 1894-17 January 1975) was a painter, artist, and an intellectual from Pakistan, who created his own unique, distinctive painting style influenced by a variety of sources that included traditional miniature, Mughal, Art Nouveau, Orientalist, and Islamic styles of painting. Chughtai's best-known paintings are his portraits, featuring their subjects existing in a flattened pictorial space painted in rich golds and pastels, and populated by metaphorical signifiers. Chughtai was lauded as one of the most important Muslim artists of the early 20th century and is considered to be the first significant modern artist from Pakistan and the national artist of Pakistan. Apart from paintings, Chughtai has the unique honour to be the designer of the official logos of Radio Pakistan and Pakistan Television and also one of the values of first Pakistan stamp set issued on 9 July 1948 to commemorate Pakistan's first independence anniversary. On Pakistan's Independence Day in 1951, he produced a set of 9 stamps, better known as 'Chughtai Art set'. At that time, this set was considered as the most beautiful stamps of the world. He went on to achieve widespread attention and honour for his work and was given the title of Khan Bahadur in 1934, awarded Hilal-i-Imtiaz (Crescent of Excellence) in 1960, and the Presidential medal for Pride of Performance in 1968.

In the 1920s, Chughtai created large watercolours in a modified Bengal-school style. By the 1940s his painting style was influenced by Mughal architecture, Islamic calligraphy, miniature painting and Art Nouveau. His diverse subject matter by now included heroes and heroines from Islamic history, Mughal kings and queens, and episodes from Punjabi, Persian, and Indo- Islamic legends and folktales. Throughout his six-decade career, Chughtai produced over 2000 watercolour paintings, countless pencil sketches, and nearly 300 etchings and aquatints. His work, characterized by its delicate yet powerful use of line and colour, reflected his deep connection to his heritage while also introducing modern elements. As a versatile artist, he also designed stamps, coins, insignia, and book covers. Some of his famous books include Muraqqai-i-Chughtai (1928), Naqsh-i- Chughtai (1935) and Amal-i-Chughtai (1960). The Muraqqai- Chughtai which is chiefly an illustrated version of Mirza Asadullah Khan Ghalib's Diwan-e-Ghalib, in which side by side with some selected couplets, Chughtai produced their artistic renditions in the form of watercolour illustrations. With a foreword by Sir Muhammad Allama Iqbal, it is regarded as the most significant work of Chughtai's career and in its time, was considered the finest achievement in book production in the country.

Chughtai's works are displayed at President House Islamabad, Governors' Houses in Lahore and Karachi, the British Museums Victoria and Albert, Peace Palace Hague, United Nations Headquarters New York, Kennedy Memorial Boston, US State Department Washington D.C., President's House Bonn, Queen Juliana's Palace Netherlands, Emperor's Palace Bangkok, Andhra Pradesh State Archaeology Museum and the National Art Gallery, Islamabad. Many of his works are at the Chughtai Museum Trust in Lahore.

As an apt tribute to the maestro, each stamp incorporated in the souvenir sheet figures a distinct inscription of Pakistan in Urdu crafted by Abdur Rahman Chughtai on Pakistan's first stamp set issued in 1948. Furthermore, all stamps on the souvenir sheet have backgrounds of a different Pakistan stamp designed by Abdur Rahman Chughtai which are as following (top to bottom):

• 1st Independence Anniversary - 1948 (1 Rupee)

• 4th Independence Anniversary - 1951 (4 Annas)

• 4th Independence Anniversary - 1951 (6 Annas)

• 4th Independence Anniversary - 1951 (3 Annas, Service)

Following paintings of Abdur Rahman Chughtai have been used in this souvenir sheet (clockwise):

• Princess by the Terrace

• Portrait of Ghalib (from Muraqqa-i-Chughtai)

• Doe-Eyed Beauty

• Noor Jehan and Jahangir

• Lady with Bulbul (from Muraqqa-i-Chughtai)

• The Mughal Princess

On the 50th Death Anniversary of Abdur Rahman Chughtai, a Commemorative Souvenir Sheet of Rs. 120/- denomination is being issued by Pakistan Post on January 17th, 2025.

70th Anniversary of Pakistan international Airlines. January 10, 2025 (2025-2)

 

Pakistan International Airlines rose from humble beginnings. In June 1946, when Pakistan was still in the offing Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the Founder of the upcoming nation, instructed Mr. M.A. Ispahani, a leading industrialist, to set up a national airline, on a priority basis. With his singular vision and foresight, Quaid-e-Azam realized that with the formation of the two wings of Pakistan, separated by 1100 miles, a swift and efficient mode of transport was imperative. Four Douglas DC-3s were purchased from Tempo of Texas in February 1947 and Orient Airways operated it's first flight on 4th June 1947 on Calcutta-Akyab-Rangoon route. After Independence, Orient airways transferred its base to Pakistan and established a vital link between Karachi and Dacca, the two capitals of the two wings of Pakistan with a skeleton fleet of just two DC-3s, three crew members, and twelve mechanics. With an objective to provide better air services, the Government of Pakistan decided to form a state-owned airline "PIA" and orders for three L-1049C Super Constellations were placed with Lockheed. On 7th June 1954, ΡΙΑ operated first direct nonstop flight between Karachi and Dhaka. The government invited Orient airways to merge with PIA and the outcome of the merger was the birth of a new airline, through PIAC Ordinance on January 10, 1955.

In February 1955, first international services were inaugurated from Karachi to London via Cairo and Rome. By 1960, Vickers Viscount and Super Constellations were operating trunk routes. When the jet age dawned, PIA was quick to lease a Boeing 707-321 from Pan American World Airways and in March 1960, PIA became the first Asian airline to operate a pure jet aircraft. The Karachi London New York service commenced on 16th June 1961. In 1964, PIA hit world headlines by becoming the first noncommunist airline to launch flights to Canton (Guangzhou) and Shanghai. The same year it achieved the distinction of being the first international airline to operate a service through Moscow to other destinations in Europe. PIA also held reservations on two Boeing 2707 Supersonic (SST) aircrafts. A new Jet Hangar for Boeings with a supporting airframe overhaul shop was completed and commissioned in 1968. In 1970, PIA set up its own Flight Kitchen in Karachi, which caters, even today, to the national airline as well as other carriers. DC10-30 wide body aircrafts were introduced in March 1974 and two Boeing 747-200 joined PIA fleet in April 1976. Airbus A300s joined the fleet in March 1980. In 1980, Ispahani Hangar was inaugurated which is capable of housing two wide body aircrafts simultaneously. PIA became the first airline in Asia to operate the modern Boeing 737-300 in May 1985.

In June 1991, Airbus A310-300 and in April 1999, Boeing 747-300 were added to the fleet. In November 2002, orders were placed with Boeing to acquire state of the art B777 aircraft comprising of three B777-200 ER, two B777-200 LR and three B777-300 ER. To modernize the turboprop fleet, order for seven ATR 42- 500 were placed in November 2005. In June 2014, first Airbus 320 aircraft joined the fleet. At present, PIA operates four Boeing B777-300 ER, two Boeing B777- 200 LR, six Boeing B777-200 ER, seventeen Airbus A320-200, two ATR 72- 500 and three ATR 42-500 in its fleet.

To Commemorate the 70th Anniversary of creation of P.I.A, Pakistan's National Flag bearing Airlines, Pakistan Post is issuing a set of Commemorative Postage Stamps of Rs. 30/- denomination each and a Souvenir Sheet Valued at Rs. 100/-.