13th ECONOMIC COOPERATION ORGANIZATION (ECO) SUMMIT AT ISLAMABAD. MARCH 01, 2017 (2017-02)

Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) was established in 1985 by Iran, Turkey and Pakistan, It succeeded Regional Cooperation for Development (RCD), which was founded in 1964 to promote cooperation among the three Member States.

2. In 1992, the Organization welcomed in its fold, seven new Members, which in addition to Afghanistan included Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. The Treaty of Izmir, signed in 1977 and subsequently amended in 1996, is the legal foundation of the Organization.

3. ECO aims at promoting sustainable economic development of Member States through trade and economic cooperation as well as mutual assistance in social, cultural, technical and scientific fields. Three long-term sectoral priorities of the Organization are: i) Development of transport and communication infrastructure, ii) Facilitation of trade and investment, iii) Effective use of the region's vast energy resources.

4. The Headquarters of ECO are located in Tehran. H.E. Ambassador Halil Ibrahim Akca (Turkish National) is the current Secretary General of Economic Cooperation Organization.

Institutional Framework

5. ECO consists of four principal organs, the Council of Ministers (COM), the Regional Planning Council (RPC), the Council of Permanent Representatives (CPR) and the Secretariat.

ECO Summit

6. Held biennially, ECO Summit of Heads of States/Governments of member States provides the Organization an overarching strategic guideline as well as political support. 12th ECO Summit was held in Baku, Azerbaijan on 16th October 2012.

7. Pakistan is hosting the 13th ECO summit in Islamabad on 1st March 2017, preceded by 22nd Council of Ministers Meeting (COMM) on 28th February 2017. The Council of Ministers meeting will be preceded by Senior Official Meeting (SOM) on 26 February 2017

Council of Ministers (COM)

8. The Council of Ministers (COM) is the highest policy and decision-making body of ECO and is composed of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Member States. It meets once a year by rotation, in the territories of the Member States.

Council of Permanent Representative (CPR)

9. The CPR is composed of Tehran based Ambassadors of Member States accredited to ECO. It meets once a month and oversees the working of the Secretariat and takes day to day decisions relating to the Organization on behalf of the COM.

Regional Planning Council

10. The Regional Planning Council (RPC) is composed of the Heads of Planning Organizations of Member States and meets at least once a year prior to the annual meeting of the Council of Ministers. It evolves basic strategies/policies and plans in accordance with the objectives and principles of regional cooperation laid down in the Treaty of Izmir, as well as policy guidelines of the Council of Ministers.

ECO Secretariat

11. The Secretariat is the implementing arm of the Organization. Under the supervision of the Secretary General, it carries out the policies and programmes finalized by the governing bodies, and reports back to them on its activities. Presently, there are 67 officials working in the Secretariat and out of them 14 belongs to Pakistan.

ECO Vision 2025

12. The ECO Vision 2025 envisages "ECO will pave the way to a territory of integrated and sustainable economies as well as free trade area achieved by highly educated societies and improved governance through enhanced cooperation". The new Vision focuses on sectoral priorities of the ECO including Trade, energy, transit and social welfare and environment. The Vision also incorporates an implementation framework.

ECO Trade Agreement (ECOTA)

13. ECOTA is a major step towards realization of the Organization's goal of removal of trade barriers and establishment of a Free Trade Area in the ECO region. The Agreement was signed in Islamabad in July 2003 during the 2nd ECO Ministerial Meeting on Commerce and Foreign Trade and entered into force on 24th April, 2008. The member states are currently negotiating to operationalize this agreement.

Transit Transport Framework Agreement (TTFA)

14. TTFA is ECO's the basic document in the transport sector, providing background for a historical movement toward reduction of cost and acceleration of the transport services through harmonization and modernization of transit transport in the region.

15. TTFA is in force since 2006 with the ratification of the Parliaments of eight Member States: Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Pakistan, Tajikistan, and Turkey.

On13th Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Summit at Islamabad, the Commemorative Postage Stamps of Rs.8/- each denomination are being issued by Pakistan Post on March 01, 2017

INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF SUSTAINABLE TOURISM FOR DEVELOPMENT. January 1, 2017 (2017-01)

 

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is the United Nations agency responsible for the promotion of responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism.

As the leading international organization in the field of tourism, UNWTO promotes tourism as a driver of economic growth, inclusive development and environmental sustainability and offers leadership and support to the sector in advancing knowledge and tourism policies worldwide.

Pakistan has a great opportunity for the tourism development based on its spectacular natural landscapes and unique cultural heritage. Tourism is one economic activity that has the potential to bring considerable benefits to the nation. Tourism can be used as a vehicle to deliver socio-economic benefits directly to rural and remote areas.

Pakistan is the only country which is host to three of the world's biggest and most spectacular mountain ranges, the Himalaya, the Karakoram and the Hindukush which consists of several hundred peaks. The convergence of these three ranges at Jaglot, an area around 40km away from Gilgit is an exclusive geographical feature on the planet. Among a total of 14 peaks with more than 8000 metre height in the world, five are in Pakistan which are K-2. Gasherbrum-1, Gasherbrum-2, Broad Peak and Nanga Parbat. The said mountain ranges have 160 peaks above 7,000 metres and around 700 peaks above 6,000 metres that really attract the climbers from all over the world.

K-2:- K-2, also known as Mount Godwin-Austen or Chhogori is the second highest mountain in the world, after Mount Everest, at 8,611 metres (28251 ft) above sea level. It is located on the China-Pakistan border in the Gilgit-Baltistan region of northern Pakistan.

K-2 is known as the Savage Mountain due to the extreme difficulty of ascent. It has the second-highest fatality rate among the eight thousanders. With around 300 successful summits and 77 fatalities, about one person dies on the mountain for every four who summit It is more difficult and hazardous to reach the peak of K-2 from the Chinese side, thus it is usually climed from Pakistan side. K-2 has never been claimed during winter.

Nanga Parbat:- Nanga Parbat (literally, Naked Mountain) is the ninth highest mountain in the world at 8,126 meters (26,660 ft) above sea level. It is the western anchor of the Himalayas around which the Indus river skirts into the plains of Pakistan. It is located in the Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan and is locally known as 'Deo Mir', 'Deo' meaning "huge' "Mir' meaning 'mountain".

Nanga Parbat one of the eight-thousanders, is an immense, dramatic peak rising far above its surrounding terrain, Nanga Parbat is also a notoriously difficult climb. Numerous mountaineering deaths in the mid and early 20th century lent it the nickname "killer mountain".

Nanga Parbat forms the western anchor of the Himalayan range and is the westernmost eight-thousander. It lies just south of the Indus River in the Diamer District of Gilgit-Baltistan in Pakistan. Not far to the north is the western end of the Karakoram range

Gasherbrum-l:- Gasherbrum-I also known as Hidden Peak or K-5, is the 11th highest mountain in the world at 8,080 metres (26,510 ft) above sea level. It is located on the Pakistan-Chinese border in Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan and Xinjiang region of China.

Gasherbrum-I is part of the Gasherbrum massif, located in the Karakoram region of the Himalaya. Gasherbrum is often claimed to mean "Shining Wall", presumably a reference to the highly visible face of the neighboring peak Gasherbrum IV, but in fact it comes from "rgasha" (beautiful) + "brum" (mountain) in Balti, hence it actually means "beautiful mountain". There are six Gasherbrum peaks and Gasherbrum-1 is one of them.

Broad Peak:- Board peak is the 12th highest mountain in the world at 8,051 meters (26414 ft) above sea level Broad peak is part of the Gasherbrum massif in Baltistan on the border of Pakistan and China. It is located in the Karakoram mountain rage about 8 kilometers (5.0 mi) from K-2. It has a summit over 1.5 kilometres (0.93 mi) long.

The mountain has several summits: Broad Peak, Rocky Summit, Broad Peak Central, Broad Peak North, and Kharut Kangri.

The first ascent of Broad Peak was made between June 8 and 9, 1957 by Fritz wintersteller, Marcus Schmuck, Kurt Diemberger, and Hermann Buhl of an Austrian expedition led by Marcus Schmuck.

A first attempt by the team was made on May 29, 1957 where Fritz winteresteller and Kurt Diemberger reached the forepeak (8,030 m). This was also accomplished without the aid of supplemental oxygen, high altitude porters nor base camp support.

In July 2013, a group of five Iranian climbers attempted to ascend through a new route from the southwestern face. Three of them-Aidin Bozorgi, Pouya Keivan, and Mojtaba Jarahi -ascended successfully but during descent all three of them were lost and declared dead.

To celebrate the International year of sustainable Tourism Development-2017 generate joint benefits through increased cooperation, networking and partnerships among sustainable tourism stakeholders number of activities have been planned which include but not limited to:-

·         Tourism awareness Seminars at different schools, colleges and universities

·         Tourism Workshops.

·         Tourism Convention.

·         Issuance of Commemorative Postage Stamps.

To Commemorate the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for the Development-2017 and to focus national and international attention on the vast potential for mountaineering that Pakistan has, the Pakistan Post bringing out a series of 4 postage stamps on this prestigious occasion, depicting the four famous above 8000 height peaks i.e., K-2. Nanga Parbat, Gasherbrum-l and Broad Peak

On International Year of Sustainable for Tourism Development-2017, a set of Four Commemorative Postage Stamps of Rs. 10/-each denomination is being issued by Pakistan Post on January 1, 2017.

50 YEARS OF CRESCENT MODEL HIGHER SECONDARY SCHOOL, LAHORE (1968-2018) December 26, 2018 (2018-13)

 

The founders of the Crescent Group established a Not for Profit Trust named the Crescent Educational Trust in the early 1960's to deliver high quality education to Pakistani youth. They were of the firm belief that good quality education is crucial for Pakistan's development into a first world country.

Four brothers, the founders of the Crescent Group, Mian Fazal Karim, Mian Muhammad Amin, Haji Muhammad Shafi, and Mian Muhammad Bashir donated funds to the Crescent Educational Trust, helping establish the Crescent Model Higher Secondary School (CMS). One of the brothers, Mian Muhammad Amin, was asked to lead this noble venture on behalf of the family.

Other leading personalities of Pakistani society, such as Chief Justice Muhammad Munir, Chief Justice Yaqoob Ali, Dr. Ameer ud Din, Finance Minister Dr. Mubashar Hassan, Chief Minister Sheikh Manzoor Elahi, and renowned journalists Mr. Hameed Nizami and Mr. Majeed Nizami joined hands with the founders to help in this noble cause.

They made valuable contributions with their experience and wisdom, which were instrumental in the success of the newly born Crescent Model Higher Secondary School which in a short span of time became a premier educational institution. A modern, high quality campus was designed by the renowned architect Arif Hasan, and was built under the expert supervision of Dr. Mubashar Hassan, former Finance Minister of Pakistan.

While the campus was still under construction, the first batch of students was accommodated in a two room facility in Gaddafi Stadium in 1968. The school shifted to its permanent campus in Shadman Colony in 1970.

The highest standards of education, a low fee structure, a well trained and dedicated faculty, and merit based, need blind admission policy have always been the hallmark of the Crescent Model Higher Secondary School. This policy opened the doors of this high quality school to brilliant Pakistani youngsters, enabling them to compete on equal footings with students belonging to more affluent families.

The school was fortunate to have Sheikh Muin ud Din and Ms. Jahan Ara Khan as principal and headmistress of the school in its early days. The institution benefited enormously from their dedication, sagacity and wisdom. They established an institutional ethos that helped in developing "Crescentarians" to become "Game Changers" for Pakistan in general, and their own families in particular. Over the last fifty years, our students have built careers in the fields of education, academia, architecture, business, finance, defence, engineering, public service, sports and many more.

With a rich history exceeding fifty years, the Crescent Model Higher Secondary School is the largest not for profit school in Pakistan. Our student body consists of 7,600 boys and girls pursuing education following either the Matriculation or the Senior Cambridge curriculum. We have a modern campus with three auditoriums, well designed classrooms, science and information technology laboratories, well maintained playgrounds, a modern swimming pool, and four gymnasiums. We have a finishing school for girls with foreign certified faculty, a teacher training center, a school of arts, and a school of music. We have exclusive arrangements for teaching of Qirat and Naat.

All these facilities enable us to provide education that helps individuals develop an economically stable life, a passion for gratitude, compassion, integrity and responsibility. An extensive range of opportunities and broad spectrum of curriculum provides the large student population at CMS with a broad knowledge sharing platform, enabling them to become well rounded responsible citizens.

As a whole, the school has been providing quality, affordable and accessible education to the community for over fifty years, preparing both men and women alike to experience economic growth and a purposeful life. With the "no child left behind" policy, the Crescent Model Higher Secondary School has graduated agents of positive change who have helped reduce inequities within our society. Our resolve is stronger than ever before to meet the challenges of these turbulent times, with confidence.

On 50 Years of Crescent Model Higher Secondary School, Lahore, a Commemorative Postage Stamp of Rs. 8/- denomination is being issued by Pakistan Post on December 26, 2018.

SILVER JUBILEE GHULAM ISHAQ KHAN INSTITUTE OF ENGINEERING SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGY (1993-2018) December 24, 2018 (2018-12)

 

Genesis

1. The Genesis of Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology goes back to the early 50's when Mr. Ghulam Ishaq Khan, during his close association with the Water and Power Development Authority and the Pakistan Industrial Development Corporation, became acutely aware of Pakistan's dependence on foreign expertise and imported technology. His frequent interaction with foreign and local experts led to the idea of a centre of excellence in engineering sciences and production technology whose standards of education would be comparable to those of its counterparts in the advanced countries. The transformation of this idea into a practical proposition took place in December 1985 when the Benevolent Community Care and Infaq Foundation donated Rs. 50 million for setting up an Institute, and the Khyber Pakhtun Khwa Government donated 218 acres of land for its campus.

2. A milestone in the evolution of the Institute was the registration, in June 1988, of its parent body, namely the Society for the Promotion of Engineering Sciences and Technology in Pakistan (SOPREST). Mr. Ghulam Ishaq Khan, the then President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, was elected President of the Society for life and Mr. H. U.Baig appointed its honorary Executive Director.

3.The task of conceiving and formulating the basic form and features of the Institute was entrusted to a group of eminent scientists and engineers. Civil works at the campus site started in early 1990. An interim office of the Institute was set up in August 1992 where experienced professionals worked on the educational aims and philosophy of the Institute, its curricula and details of equipment for its laboratories and workshops. The ordinance for the establishment of the Institute was promulgated by the then North Western Frontier Province (Now Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) in March 1993 and the first batch of students entered its portals in October 1993. It is the first not-for-profit, non-governmental Institute of its kind in the country and is dedicated to bringing our engineering education at par with that of advanced countries.

Aims and Objectives

4.The aim of the Institute is to pursue excellence in education and research by developing appropriate curricula and teaching practices, acquiring talented faculty and providing an environment conducive to teaching and learning. Its graduates are expected to possess high professional competence combined with the humanistic and moral values envisaged in its Profile of the Graduates. The educational philosophy of the Institute lays emphasis on training of the mind rather than stuffing it with an inert body of facts; on expanding the scientific imagination of the students rather than making them tread well-worn and outmoded grooves of thought. Guided by such convictions, the Institute educates its students by confronting them with real-life problems, and inculcating in them a problem-solving approach. They are encouraged to explore and solve problems, to break new grounds and to cultivate leadership qualities. Pakistan is on the threshold of a major breakthrough in the techno industrial fields and needs professionals with ability and vision to lead the way. The Institute aims at producing such professionals with a strong base of engineering education and research. It strives to produce graduates who can upgrade existing technological activities in the country and in whom professional excellence is inseparable from a commitment to the national ideals.

5. The Institute has a Board of Govemors which sits at the apex of the statutory pyramid of the Institute and its composition is the same as that of the General Council of SOPREST. It has overall control of the Institute, the powers to create new components of the Institute such as a school, faculty or any other teaching or research unit, and to change the constitution of its Executive Committee and Governing Council. Engr, Shams ul Mulk, HI, Ph.D (hon), D.Sc (Hon), Former Chairman, Water and Power Development Authority and Former, Chief Minister of NWFP (Now Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) is the President of the Board. The members consist of eminent scientists, scholars, engineers and industrialists as founding members. Chairman, Higher Education Commission, Chairman, Water and Power Development Authority, Executive Director SOPREST, Secretary Finance Division, Govt. of Pakistan, Chief Secretary Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Secretary Law, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are Ex-officio Members of the Board.

On Silver Jubilee of Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology, (1993-2018) a Commemorative Postage Stamp of Rs. 8/- denomination is being issued by Pakistan Post on December 24, 2018.

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.