KASHMIR SOLIDARITY DAY COMMEMORATIVE POSTAGE STAMP FEBRUARY 05, 2025 (2025-06)

 

Kashmir Solidarity Day, observed annually on February 5th, is a significant occasion that reflects Pakistan's steadfast support for the people of Jammu and Kashmir in their struggle for self-determination. This day symbolizes unity with the Kashmiri population, highlighting their decades-long plight under disputed governance and emphasizing the right to self-determination as enshrined in United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions.

The observance of Kashmir Solidarity Day was officially initiated in 1990. It was spearheaded by Pakistan's political and religious leadership, particularly following the eruption of mass protests in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir during the late 1980s. The growing unrest and reports of human rights violations against the Kashmiri population intensified calls for global awareness and solidarity.

On February 5, 1990, various political leaders, proposed observing the day to show unity with the Kashmiri people. This proposal received strong governmental support, and the day was declared a national public holiday in Pakistan. Since then, it has been commemorated annually with events aimed at raising awareness and advocating for a peaceful resolution to the Kashmir dispute.

Kashmir Solidarity Day is not confined to Pakistan but extends to the global stage. Protests and awareness campaigns are organized by diaspora communities in countries like the United States, United Kingdom, and across the Middle East. International human rights organizations are also urged to take notice of the Kashmiri struggle during this time.

For over three decades, February 5th has been a day of remembrance, solidarity, and advocacy. While it underscores Pakistan's commitment to the Kashmir cause, it also serves as a reminder of the resilience of the Kashmiri people and their quest for a peaceful and just resolution. Through initiatives like commemorative postage stamps, Pakistan continues to amplify the voice of Kashmir on the global stage, striving to keep the hope for

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.