INTERNATIONAL ANTICORRUPTION DAY. December 09, 2018 (2018-11)

 

1. International Anti-Corruption day is commemorated on 9th December every year all over the world. It signifies the day when United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) was first opened for signing at Merida, Mexico in 2003. It is a major milestone in the global efforts to combat corruption and provides a unique opportunity to create public awareness against corruption. The day is observed to highlight the adverse impacts of corruption on humanity.

2. International Anti-Corruption Day i.e 9th December is gaining more impetus with each passing year as our society is becoming more aware to the plethora of problems our nation is facing due to rampant corruption. The recent crusade of the apex court against corruption and widespread debates and coverage from the media has sensitized the whole society to the disastrous impacts it has on the development of our country. The present government is taking bold steps to serve as an example by practicing good governance, transparency, accountability on economic and development issues so that we, as Pakistanis start believing in the government. The improvements in governance will not occur automatically as the development process unfolds; no virtuous circle will suddenly begin to operate.

3. NAB has intensified its efforts for raising awareness in the masses in fighting against corruption. The Bureau is the forerunner in the drive for a corruption free society through adoption of a holistic three pronged strategy of Awareness, Prevention & Enforcement. NAB has recovered over Rs. 297 billion since inception and its efforts have helped Pakistan in moving up the ladder in the (Transparency International) Corruption Perception Index (CPI) from 126th to 117th (latest index as of year 2017) position in the community of nations during the last four years.

4. Pakistan is a developing country, and it is quintessential that all resources including national kitty are utilized strictly in accordance with rules and regulations in fair and transparent manner. NAB is following and advocating policy of zero tolerance and practicing self-accountability in eradicating Corruption in the country.

5. NAB under section 33C (a) of NAO 1999 is mandated to educate and advise public authorities, holders of public office and the community at large on measures to combat corruption and corrupt practices The Bureau is actively engaging with other public sector departments and intelligentsia for reforming their systems and regulations in order to curb the menace of corruption and corrupt practices through the mode of Prevention Committees. Awareness is aimed at correcting ill habits of Society through Education and Character Building so as to build public opinion and will to eradicate Corruption and Corrupt Practices. The major object of awareness is to transform the social attitude from indifference to abhorrence against corruption; building anti-corruption coalition; and putting to lime light various aspects and dimensions of the menace of corruption by raising awareness and building requisite character traits.

6. NAB as an institution has played a central role in galvanizing anti-corruption efforts all over the country, it has become a focal point for people frustrated with our public sector institutions. The Bureau has developed and introduced an on line complaint registration system along with dedicated telephone lines for assistance of general public and complainants, where the grievances of the citizens are listened very carefully. The Chairman NAB holds public hearings on the last Thursday of every month wherein he personally hears the complaints of the public and issues necessary directions for the redressal of their grivances as law. The Regional Bureaus also hold public hearings for the convenience of the public on the same pattern as per the advice of the Chairman NAB for reaching out to the public.

7. The issuance of this Commemorative Stamp with the support of Pakistan Post on the eve of International Anticorruption day i.e. December 09, 2018 carrying the message "United against Corruption for a Prosperous Pakistan" is a step forward to renew the pledge and commitment of the government against corruption and for raising awareness of general public about its ill effects and will also help in the prevention of corruption.

8. Silence perpetuates corruption; when we have information that can help prevent loss of resources through corruption or that can assist to bring perpetrators to book. We must collectively fight, to destroy this cancer that eats deeper into the moral fabric of our society.

9. Let’s join together, as a nation, on the eve of International Anti-Corruption day i.e. 9th December, 2018 for renewal of our vows and dedication to the cause of eradication of corruption from our beloved country so that we leave for our future generations a better and prosperous Pakistan.

On International Anti-Corruption Day with the message "United Against Corruption for a Prosperous Pakistan", a Commemorative Postage Stamp of Rs.8/-denomination is being issued by Pakistan Post on December 09, 2018.

ON THE 10 EDITION OF INTERNATIONAL DEFENCE EXHIBITION AND SEMINAR-IDEAS 2018. NOVEMBER 27, 2018 (2018-10)

 

International Defence Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS) is one of the mega regional events, biennially organized by Defence Export Promotion Organization (DEPO) under the auspicious of Ministry of Defence Production of Pakistan. A continuous success story since year 2000, IDEAS is now an established rendezvous of international defence exhibitors, high level delegations, security analysts and top ranking policy planners. Besides exhibiting latest innovations in defence technologies; it is also an international forum for analytical evaluation of defence and security outlook of the future through a series of conferences and a capstone seminar.

The history of international defence exhibitions in Pakistan dates back to 1999 when Pakistan Navy organized an International Naval Defence Show from 22-25 February 1999 at Karachi. The event received an overwhelming response and was largely participated by national and international defence manufacturers and exhibitors. The event provided an impetus and government of Pakistan decided to organize International Defence Exhibition and Seminar as "IDEAS" biennially and the first edition of IDEAS was held in year 2000 at Karachi Expo Centre. Through exponential year on year growth, both in terms of number of exhibitors and participating countries, today IDEAS has iconic standing on the canvas of global defence exhibitions.

While serving as an international platform for showcasing latest innovations in defense and technologies of the future, IDEAS is a regional gateway for international manufacturers and suppliers to explore new avenues of defence cooperation through joint ventures, outsourcing and collaboration. On the other hand while reinforcing our diplomatic efforts in the realm of defence diplomacy; it manifests Pakistan's deeply embedded and mutually beneficial relations with the international fraternity. In fact, the IDEAS is a shared vision for global peace, stability and harmony. The IDEAS slogan, "Arms for Peace" truly reflects Pakistan's principled stance on peace within and peace without.

Today marks the 10th successful conduct of IDEAS in Pakistan. On the 10th edition of IDEAS, a commemorative postage stamp of Rs. 10/- denomination is being issued by Pakistan Post on November 27, 2018, showcasing the IDEAS logo which is well renowned in the defence exhibitions worldwide

JAMSHEED MARKER EX-AMBASSADOR, November 24, 2018 (2018-9)

 

Educated at the Doon School, Dehra Dun, and Forman Christian College, Lahore, Graduated as a Gold Medalist with an Honors Degree in Economics from the University of the Punjab.

DIPLOMATIC CAREER

Appointed as Ambassador of Pakistan in 1965, and since served continuously abroad in that capacity in eleven different capitals, with concurrent accreditation to a further nine countries.

September 2004 to December 2007

Ambassador at Large, Government of Pakistan

July 2000 to December 2004

Special adviser to the Secretary General, United Nations, for East Timor, with the rank of Under Secretary General.

February 1997 to Jun 2000

Personal Representative of the Secretary General, United Nations, for East Timor, with the rank of Under Secretary General. Conducted negotiations, as representative of the United Nations, with the governments of Indonesia and Portugal, with East Timorese leaders, which led to the successful referendum in August 1999, enabling the eventual independence of East Timor.

May 1995 to December 1996

Member, Efficiency Board, the United Nations, New York.

September 1995 to June 2004

Diplomat in residence, Eckerd College, St. Petersburg Florida. Director in various corporations in Pakistan.

September 1990 to March 1995.

Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations, New York. Chairman of the Group of 77 for 1992. Led negotiations on behalf of the Group of 77 (consisting of 128 developing countries) the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), in Rio de Janeiro, June 1992. Permanent Representative of Pakistan, Member of the Security Council, January 1993 to December 1994. President of the UN Security Council, April 1993. President of the UN Security Council, July 1994.

July 1989 to August 1990.

Distinguished Fellow, the United States institute of Peace, Washington D.C. Diplomat in Residence, Eckerd College, St. Petersburg, Florida. Director of business corporations in Pakistan.

September 1986 to June 1989.

Ambassador of Pakistan to the United State of America, with concurrent accreditation to Jamaica. Maintained close co-ordination with the U.S. Administration and Congress on a number of important issues Including negotiations over the Soviet military withdrawal from Afghanistan. (Please see article in the New York Times, 1 September 1988, attached).

1982 to1986.

Ambassador of Pakistan to France, with concurrent accreditation to Ireland Permanent Representative to UNESCO, Paris.

Negotiated credit agreements in defense purchases, training and technology. transfer. Close political contacts on the Afghan issue. Travelled extensively in the country on speaking engagements. Maintained personal ties with important personalities at the Elysee, the Matignon, Quald'Orsay and the National Assembly.

1980 to 1982.

Ambassador of Pakistan to the Federal Republic of Germany. Negotiated credit agreements. Maintained close contacts on the Afghanistan issue, including the organization of refugee aid and assistance. Travelled extensively in the country.

1979 to 1980.

Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the European Office of the United Nations in Geneva.

Represented Pakistan on the Committee on Disarmament, the Council for the General Agreement on Trade and Tariffs (GATT), the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), as well as the UN Specialized Agencies based in Geneva, ILO, WHO, WMO, WIPO, UNHCR, Chaired a number of committees, particularly in the Disarmament Committee, specializing in nuclear issues, and in UNCTAD, specializing in financial issues and the problems of international debt.

1976 to 1978.

Ambassador of Pakistan to Japan. Negotiated two annual yen credits, and numerous joint ventures in the private sector.

1973 to 1976.

Ambassador of Pakistan to the German Democratic Republic, with concurrent accreditation to Iceland. Opened the Pakistan Embassy in East Berlin, negotiated trade and aviation agreements with the G.D.R.

1972 to 1973.

Ambassador of Pakistan to Canada, with concurrent accreditation to Guyana, Trindad & Tobago.

1969 to 1972.

Ambassador of Pakistan to the U.S.S.R., with concurrent accreditation to Finland. Negotiated the agreement for the establishment of the only steel mill in Pakistan. Travelled extensively in the Soviet Union, organized the state visits of President Yahya Khan to the Soviet Union in 1970, and of President Bhutto in 1972, Participated in frequent and extensive diplomatic negotiations in the Kremlin, particularly with Prime Minister Alexel Kosygin, during the crisis leading to the emergence of Bangladesh.

Negotiated with the East German diplomats in Moscow for the establishment of diplomatic relations with the German Democratic Republic.

1967 to 1969.

Ambassador of Pakistan to Romania, with concurrent accreditation to Bulgaria. Organized the state visit of President Ayub Khan to Romania in 1967.

1965 to 1967.

High Commissioner of Pakistan to Ghana, with concurrent accreditation as Ambassador to Guinea and Mali. Travelled extensively throughout West Africa, and expanded relations between Pakistan and the newly independent Anglophone and Francophone West African nations, from the diplomatic field to cooperation in commercial, economic, cultural and military affairs.

MULTILATERAL NEGOTIATIONS.

Apart from duties as Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations in New York and Geneva, was also a member of the Pakistan delegation to the General Assembly of the United Nations on a number of occasions, was also a member of the Pakistan delegation to the Non Aligned Movement Conference in Havana in 1979, and to the organization of the Islamic Conference in Islamabad in 1980.

While based in Geneva, Paris and Washington, was closely involved with the negotiations which led to the Genva Accord 1988, and the subsequent withdrawal of Soviet forces from Afghanistan.

Member of an unofficial group of experts assembled by the Arms Control Association and the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace at Divonne, France, in September 1974, which produced a report entitled "N.P.T. Paradoxes and Problems".

Appointed by the Secretary General, United Nations, to a group of experts on a Comprehensive Study on Nulear Weapons, vide General Assembly Resolution 33/91 D of 16 December 1978. Co-author of the Report dated 12 July 1980 Entitled * Nuclear Weapons: Report to the Secretary General".

BUSINESS CAREER

1946 to 1965

Joined the family business in 1946 in Quetta, Balouchistan and Karachi, Sindh, and became a director of a number of corporations which included shipping, pharmaceuticals, banking and insurance. Took an active interest in industrial labour relations, and was a member of the Pakistan delegation to several conferences of the International Labour Organization, Geneva. Was also a well known radio cricket commentator in Pakistan.

1942 to 1945.

Served in the Royal India Navy in World War II in convoy escort duties, commanded a magnetic minesweeper, and look part in combined operations in Burma. Served as a Group Testing Officer on the Naval Selection Board.

AWARDS.

Service Awards:

1939/45 Star, Burma Star, War Service Medal.

Civil Awards:

Sitara-e-Quaid-e-Azam by the Government of Pakistan, 1971.

Madarski Konnik by the Government of Bulgaria, 1986.

Grand Officer dei Order de Merit, by the Government of France, 1986.

Order of San Carios in the Degree of the Great Cross, by the Government of Columbia, 1993.

Hilal-e-Imtiaz by the Government of Pakistan, 2004.

Married to Diana Dinshaw (expired 1979), and Amaz Minwalla. Two daughters, Niloufer Marker Reifler and Feroza Marker (expired 2001).

Interests and occupations include music and opera, literature, sports and art, especially contemporary Pakistani paintings. One of the early circket commantators for Radio Pakistan.

Languages: Urdu, Gujarati, English, French, German and Russian.

PUBLICATIONS

East Timor. A Memoir of the Negotations for Independance. Mc Farland & Co. Jefferson. North Carolina.

Quiet Diplomacy. Memoirs of an Ambassador of Pakistan. Oxford University Press, Karachi.

The American Papers. Co-authored with Roedad Khan. Oxford University Press Karachi. Coverpoint. Impressions of Leadership in Pakistan.

On Jamsheed Markar, Ex Ambassador of Pakistan (1922-2018), a Commemorative Postage Stamp of Rs.8/- denomination is being issued by Pakistan Post on November 24, 2018.

100 YEARS OF MAMA PARSI GIRLS' SECONDARY SCHOOL KARACHI (1918-2018) July 24, 2018. (2018-8)

 

April 2018 marks the centenary of The Mama Parsi Girls' Secondary School. The school's history and development reflects the contribution of the Parsi community to the city's civil life, offering a paradigm of the community spirit.

In 1917, there were few schools, particularly for girls, and very few girls went to school. As early as 1903, Seth Eduljee Dinshaw proposed the establishment of a High School for Parsi Girls. However, the funds raised then, were insufficient. The school was finally established in 1918 due to the foresight and acumen of Jamshed Nusserwanji Mehta, who brought together the community minded sprit and philantrophy of Khan bahadur Ardeshir Hormusjee Mama, Khan Bahadur Nusserwanji Mehta and Nadirshaw Eduljee Dinshaw. Shehryarji Contractor, Director of Public Education, Bombay Presidency, provided expert guidance. Since Khan Bahadur Ardeshir Hormusjee Mama was the largest donor, the school was named The Mama School in memory of his parents.

The school started in the BVS School premises, then moved to the Mama Mansions and finally settled down in its present location in 1920, with the capacity to accomodate 250 Parsi girls. In 1947, after partition, at the personal request of the Quaid-e-Azam, admission was opened to girls of all communities.

Starting with about 50 Parsi girls, we now have 2130 girls! The Founder's motto was to provide the best possible education to every child entering the portals of this school. Moving with the times, many things have changed but our motto has remained unchanged. We have surged ahead with the growth in numbers - our beautiful old buildings still stands, with several new structures added on new programmes and curriculum have been introduced. We now work in two shifts morning and afternoon. Computer Studies was introduced in 1985. The Matriculation System of the Sindh Board was changed to the SSC Examinations of the Aga Khan University Education Board. Co curricular activities have increase, with Urdu & English Literary & Dramatic societies, Red Crescent, Mama Cadets & Girl Guides also being added on and of course we are very proud of our girls' School Band.

Remaining true to our motto, our aim is not only to impact knowledge but to develop informed, ethical and reasonable individuals who are prepared for life-long learning, to lead and to serve.

We now have many Mamaians in different parts of the world, who are living, working and positively contributing to their cities and communities. We are indeed proud of them!

We thank God Almighty for the school's successful century and pray for His Blessings for many many more years to come.

On 100 Years of Mama Parsi Girls' Secondary School Karachi (1918-2018), Pakistan Post is issuing a Commemorative Postage Stamp of Rs 8/- denomination on July 24, 2018.

60th ANNIVERSARY OF URDU DICTIONARY BOARD, June 14, 2018 (2018-5)

 

Urdu Dictionary Board (Formerly Urdu Development Board) was established in 1958. It was created through a Resolution of the Ministry of Education, Government of Pakistan, dated 14th of June, 1958, which stated that Urdu Development Board would compile and publish a comprehensive dictionary of Urdu on historical principles, on the pattern of Greater Oxford Dictionary. The Board was also asked to undertake a number of other tasks for the development of Urdu.

Founded by Baba-e-Urdu Maulvi Abdul Haq who was the first Chief Editor of the organization, it was honored over the years by close and active association of great scholars and litterateurs of their times such as Josh Malihabadi, Begum Shaista Ikramullah, Dr. Abdul Lais Siddiqui, Mr. Mumtaz Hasan (Governor State Bank of Pakistan); Shaukat Subzwari, Dr. G. Allana and many others. One of the oldest scholarly institutions of Pakistan, it has a prestige that has no rival.

UDB has a library comprising of rare books and manuscripts, a large number of which was rescued and brought to Karachi in trunks by Maulvi Abdul Haq from the office of Anjuman-e-Taraqui-e-Urdu in Delhi after it was ransacked in communal riots in 1947.

Through a Resolution of Ministry of Education dated 27th of March, 1982 the Board was re-named as Urdu Dictionary Board and was assigned the task of compiling and publishing a comprehensive dictionary of Urdu keeping in view the standard of Greater Oxford Dictionary. It was also given the task of preparing an abridged /concise Edition as well as other dictionaries of technical & scientific terms. The Board was asked to perform such other functions too, as assigned to it by the Government from time to time.

In 1986 another Resolution dated 31st March 1986, was passed by the Ministry of Education but the main function of the Board remained almost unchanged and it continued preparing and publishing the Lughat as its main task.

Federal Education Minister governs the affairs of the Board while the Chief Editor supervises working of the Board. The Chief Editor who has all the administrative and financial powers.

Urdu Dictionary Board was declared Sub-Ordinate office of the Ministry of Education, Government of Pakistan in November 2007. After the devolution of Ministry of Education, Urdu Dictionary Board was placed under control of the Cabinet Division, Government of Pakistan after that it became the sub-ordinate office of Ministry of Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage, and w.e.f. 5th January 2016 it is working under National History and Literary Heritage Division, Ministry of IB & NH, Government of Pakistan.

The basic objective of the organization has been to prepare dictionaries. This entity has prepared Greater Urdu Lughat (from volume 1 to 22) comprising 22000 pages and 264000 entries at the pattern of Greater Oxford Dictionary. This greater Lughat was completed in 2010 after the great efforts of 52 years.

Because of this greater Lughat, Urdu has been accepted the third language of the world who has made dictionary at philological principle. Before this, same nature of work has been done by United Kingdom and Germany.

Recently Urdu Dictionary Board has completed a project regarding "Computerization of Urdu Dictionary, Software Development for Mobile Phone, Web Hosting and establishment of Server Room" in this project Urdu Dictionary Board has computerized (volume No.1 to 22) that are available at website www.udb.gov.pk moreover mobile apps are also available to get utility from this greater dictionary.

After completion of greater Lughat, Urdu Dictionary Board Karachi has been preparing concise and children's dictionaries, these dictionaries are going to be completed soon and it will be ready for publication.

On 60th Anniversary of Urdu Dictionary Board, the commemorative postage stamp of Rs.8/- denomination is being issued by Pakistan Post on June 14, 2018.