CHILD ART COMPETITION STAMPS NATIONAL STAMP EXHIBITION 'PAKISTAN 2016' KARACHI. December 30, 2016 (2016-15)

The basic concept behind the 'Child art' is to bring out the creativity in the young and express their ideas to the world. To encourage and promote this art on spot painting/ drawing competition in 2 hours' time during Stamp Exhibition, and to achieve a milestone in the world of Philately, Pakistan Post is issuing a special souvenir sheet of postage stamp depicting "Art Work" by the children, designs of which are taken from the "Stamp Drawing competition" held by Stamp Society of Pakistan Joined by Pakistan Post as a live event during the annual National Stamp Exhibition.

The Stamp Society of Pakistan has organized various National Stamp Exhibition and Stamp Drawing Competition jointly sponsored by Dawn Media Group, Philatelic Federation of Pakistan and Pakistan Post Office based on FIAP rules at Expo Centre, Karachi. During the last nine years, this was held under the banner of "Life Style Exhibition" organized by Dawn Media Group.

The Stamp Society of Pakistan is among the pioneering Stamp Society with over 150 members and has been proactive in disseminating knowledge and awareness through regular exhibitions. In collaboration with the Dawn Lifestyle and the patronage of Philatelic Federation of Pakistan, the exhibitions have been popular. A number of new stamp collector got rejuvenated as collectors and some also participated in the Asian and International exhibitions after due accredition and judging at Expo Centre, Karachi over the last two decades.

The Pakistan Post, Dawn Media Group, Stamp Society of Pakistan and Philatelic Federation of Pakistan made it possible to print the country's first ever stamp design which was selected through the LIVE Stamp Drawing competition in 2010,2011 and 2012 in Sheet of Eight. These stamps depict drawings of previous year young winners and issued on the First Day of the Exhibition.

This Youth Painting Competition is divided in two age groups. Group "A" for children from 4 to 10 years old and group "B" from 11 to 17 years. The competition is announced in the news papers, and large number of children from all major schools of Karachi / Sindh participate in the competition along their teachers and parents. Participation and intrest of children has increased each year and we have now seen entries from all over Pakistan. The children have portrayed the given topics on their paintings in a very creative manner which are judged by Mr. Adil Salahuddin, (Sitara-e-Imtiaz), Senior Officials of Pakistan Post, every year and four awards are give in each age group

Children not only draw from life, but also portray what is happening arround them. They also become more aware of the current situations of the country, which they try to depict in their paintings. It's a real treat to see the excitement and intrest of the children and a strong desire to draw better than other participants in just two hours.

A set of eight stamps with two labels in the center are being issued from the selected paintings by the following young artists. These drawings have been taken from the past competitions (years).

This is the fourth time that the paintings selected from Live Stamp Drawing Competitions are depicted on stamps and fifth time for the Child Art. This effort by the organizers and Pakistan Post has encouraged the youth and opened the doorway to young artists in the country. One day they will also become serious Philatelists.

Please find below the names of the Winners of Child Art Competition

1.       Maryam Abdul Raheem                                Age: 8 Years       School: Bright Future School

2.       Aqsa Qadoos     Age: 7 years      Beacon House DHA Campus, Karachi

3.       Marius Bano      Age: 13 years     Mama Parsi Girls Secondary School Karachi.

4.       Mr. Anique Azam            Age: 13 Years     Institute for learning & Development

5.       Ali Muhammad Nizar Premji      Age: 9 Years       School: Foundation Public School

6.       Hajira Azim Age: 9 Years

This is a combined team work of Pakistan Post, Mr. Adil Salahuddin, the Organizers Mr. Iqbal Nanjee (Chairman of Organizing Committee & President), Engr. Afzal Nanjee, Mr. Usman Tahir of Stamp Society of Pakistan, and the Officials of Philatelic Federation who took keen interest in organizing the events for the Philatelic World.

On Child Art Competition, a Special Postage Stamp of Rs.8/- (Set of 8) denomination is being issued by Pakistan Post on December 30, 2016.

DINSHAW BYRAMJI AVARI PHILANTHROPIST (1902-1988) December 18, 2016 (2016-14)

Born on 22nd August 1902, in a humble family, Mr. Dinshaw Byramji Avari studied in an orphanage as his mother had passed away and his father had to work during the day. He passed his Matriculation exam studing on the light of a candle and passed his B.Com studing on the light of a hurricane lantern and became the first person of his village to have become a B.com graduate. He paid for his college education by giving tutions. He then joined the Sunlife Insurance Company of Canada working as a clerk while at the same time working as an Insurance Agent.

His determination to succeed was exemplified by becoming the highest selling insurance agent of his territory, while simultaneously holding a day job with the same company. This showed his perseverance which resulted in his being appointed as Manager of Sunlife for Karachi and with record business having been achieved, he became General Manager for Sindh, Balochistan, NWFP Punjab and Afghanistan.

An additional accomplishment was his becoming the first Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) in Asia.

When he could no longer progress, being Asian, he switched careers to become a hotelier, investing his savings and borrowing the rest to purchase Bristol Hotel Karachi, on the condition that he and his wife Khorshed be trained in the business. This remarkable ability of changing course at age 42 to learn a new trade is a lesson in adapting to changing times and multifarious circumstances. Proving there is no substitute for hard work, he was at the Empress market in Karachi daily at 4:00am, virtually forcing the hotel venture successfull through sheer force of will, sweat and industry.

Within a few years, realizing the scope for first class hotels he built Beach Luxury Hotel Karachi, in barren, marshy grounds. The first Governor of Sindh Sir Ghulam Hussain Hidayatullah, told Khorshed that Dinshawji needed his head examined for building a hotel in such a locality. However the move was a huge success and from 35 rooms the hotel grew to 150 rooms, with banquet halls, swimming pool and other luxuries unknown in Pakistan. He proved wrong his friend the Governor and all who laughed at him for investing in this venture, while being responsible to turn around this marshy land into an elite locality known as New Queens Road (now M.T. Khan Road), which is today the prime area of Karachi.

The highly dynamic Dinshawji, brought many firsts to Pakistan. He introduced buffets which we take for granted today, but at the time was criticized for treating guest like dogs, making them stand and eat. He introduced Chinese food, Lebanese Shawarma, the subcontinent's first Japanese restaurant, and hotel swimming pools. This innovativeness manifested itself many times in business, social community work.

While still building a business Dinshawji was deeply involved with social causes, like the war effort, he was decorated by the British Government, a founding member of Rotary and trustee of many Parsi trusts including Karachi Parsi Anjuman. Apart from numerous other social activities, he was also:-

1. Trustee BVS Boys & Mama Parsi Girls schools, and BMH Parsi Hospital

2. Deaf & Dumb Center - founder and president

3. Pakistan Sea Scouts founder member

4. Member Society for prevantion of Cruetly to Animals

5. Hotels Association of Pakistan - founder president

6. Member Sind Red Cross / Red Crescent Society

Having gained experience of hotels, and even operated Pines Hotel Nathiagali for a few years, he purchased Nedous Hotel Lahore, renaming it Park Luxury. Subsequently, he built the 5 Star international standard hotel on this site and opened the Lahore Hilton in January 1978, dedicated to his late wife Khorshed, who passed away the previous year. It was renamed Avari Lahore in 1988.

Anecdotally, the president of Hilton reffered to Dinshawji as "not a very young man who is most dynamic and young in spirit, thoughts and ideas". This attribute to his dynamic, young thinking spirit spoke volumes for his attitude to life, ability to clinch new ideas, and openness to listen to all as he believed everyone has something to contribute.

Believing in the Zoroastrian motto "content with what I have but discontented with what I am", he planned the tallest, grandest Karachi hotel. During construction, problems of Rupee devaluation, cement & steel shortages contractual problems and floods were overcome with his determination and wisdom and Avari Towers opened in April 1985. As hotel accommodation was declining at this time, he wisely developed plazas at the hotels to provide quality office space, providing steady income.

Being a self made man he never forgot the down-trodden and poor. His doors were open to all 24 hours a day. His motto was to trust everyone at face value unless they proved him otherwise. With these principles his strength gave strength to others and his love and kindness have been felt by all and sundry.

He passed away on December 18, 1988. However his legacy continues to this day his principles and philosphy institutionalized forming the foundations of the Avari family and Group.

On Death Anniversary Dinshaw Byramji Avari (Philanthropist), a Commemorative Postage Stamp of Rs.8/- denomination is being issued by Pakistan Post on December 18, 2016.

CELEBRATION OF NATIONAL VOTERS DAY ELECTION COMMISSION OF PAKISTAN. DECEMBER 07, 2016 (2016-13)

The ECP is constitutionally mandated to organize elections in Pakistan, hence its core focus is to serve the people by ensuring they are able to freely exercise this fundamental democratic right. We do this by engaging in on-going efforts to improve the effectiveness, transparency and integrity of the electoral process.

Elections, whether for the national and provincial assemblies, or for local government bodies, are an important tool for enhancing democracy.

Through Civic and Voter Education Plan, ECP aim to provide information and contribute towards educating citizens about their rights and obligations in regard to elections and democracy with the aim to make the electoral processes more credible and accountable through their participation. It is a way forward to achieve the major objectives of maximizing the voters turnout in elections, minimizing the male and female gap in voting process and encouraging women and other under privileged classes where they are prohibited to use their right of vote in a free, fair and fear free environment and to motivate urban well educated segment of population living in posh areas of large cities to actively participate in electoral process.

Various activities related to voter education program are identified to carry on under various major heads including celebrations of National Voters Day on 7th December.

National Voter's Day Programs

The 7th of December is approved as National Voters Day by the Election Commission. It's the date when voting took place in 300 constituencies of National Assembly on general enfranchisement basis which came up with the first Chamber of a Unicameral Parliament of Pakistan (7th December 1970).

Special programs will be organized on National Voters Day including a national seminar at Convention Center Islamabad, debates, social activities media programs and supplements and other conferences and seminars at regional level.

The year 2016 mark the 60th anniversary of the establishment of Election Commission of Pakistan. (23rd March, 1956).

On National Voters Day, a Commemorative Postage Stamp of Rs.8/- denomination is being issued by Pakistan Post on December 07, 2016.

SESQUICENTENNIAL CELEBRATIONS LAHORE HIGH COURT. November 26, 2016 (2016-12)

The Lahore High Court is one of the oldest courts of judicature in South Asia with its principal seat at Lahore and jurisdiction extending all over the Punjab. The court is situated on The Mall with the State Bank of Pakistan on its eastern side, and the General Post Office on the western flank.

The Lahore High Court has been built in the Indo-Saracenic style harmonising the various historic monuments and landscape of Lahore. The architect of the building was Mr Brossington, while the work was executed under the direction of the Executive Engineer, Mr. J.E. Hilton. The building was completed at a total cost of Rs 3,21,837, and was operational from August, 1887.

The building of the High Court is in the form of a quadrangle and is built of bricks in lime mortar, with all projections and cornices made of specially designed bricks and arch fillings of terra cotta trellis work. The front arches of the judges' verandah, porch, and parts of the main towers are built of Nowshera marble with trellis work. The original roof of the Chief Justice's courtroom was built of double Allahabad tiling, while the roof timbers were made of fine deodar wood, and the doors of fine teak wood with cravings on the frame.

The twin towers which adorn the building are carried up square for half the height, above which they are fluted and have bold cones thrown out. This model follows the pattern the Qutab Minar in Delhi. The total height of the central towers is 95 feet, with a circular staircase leading towards them. Between the two tower is the emblem of the Lahore High Court which contains two sheaf's of wheat facing each other in a circular shape encompassing a crescent and a star resting on a scale, graced with a Quranic verse: 'To do Justice which is closer to Piety, giving a central focus to the work of the court. The front is adorned with the official flag of the High Court and the flag of Pakistan.

The whole High Court is linked with spacious verandah's which are covered with terra cotta, trellis or tracery. The verandah of the principal front is surrounded by an old style Arabic honey-comb pattern comice. A marble fountain ornaments the middle of the courtyard, and with its surroundings trees provides a peaceful and tranquil atmosphere for the adjudication of justice.

The Lahore High Court traces its origins to the establishment of the Saddar Adalat Court in the reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh [1799-1839]. However, it was in the aftermath of the annexation of the Punjab in 1849 by the East India Company that a formal structure was established with the Board of Administration being established in 1849, which exercised the powers of the Saddar Adalat. The Cheif Commissioner replaced the Board in 1853, and Sir Robert Montgomery was appointed as the first Judicial Commissioner of the Punjab. The Judicial Commissioner was the Cheif Judge and his court was the final Court of Appeal. By the 1860's the work of the Judicial Commissioner had increased manifold and it was felt that a separate court was needed in the province. Hence, by the Cheif Court Act IV of 1866, the Chief Court of the Punjab was established with two judges, which was later expanded to include more judges in later years. The first Muslim judge of the Chief Court was Mr Justice Shah Din who was appointed to the bench in October 1908.

The Chief Court of the Punjab was elevated as the High Court of Judicature at Lahore on March 21, 1919 under Letters Patent of His Majesty the King-Emperor George V. Under the same Letters Patent the strength of the High Court was fixed at six judges with Sir Henry A. Rattigan, Kt., appointed as the first Chief Justice. In 1920, Sir Henry Rattigan was succeeded by The Rt. Hon. Sir Shadi Lal, Kt, PC, who became the first Indian to rise to the honour of a Chief Justice in India. The Lahore High Court had jurisdiction over the all of the Punjab and Delhi, and from 1920 to 1943 had extra-territorial jurisdiction over British Subjects in the Chinese province of Kashgar.

In August 1947, the jurisdiction of the Lahore High Court was curtailed by the High Court (Panjab) Order 1947, which created a separate court for East Punjab, Sir Abdul Rashid, Kt, the Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court had the singular privilege and honour of administering the Oath of Office to His Excellency the Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, Governor General of Pakistan on August 15, 1947. In 1950, the same Sir Abdul Rashid became the first Chief Justice of Pakistan after the establishment of the Federal Court.

The Lahore High Court was merged with the Sind Chief Court and the Judicial Commissioner's Court in Peshawar under the High Court of West Pakistan (Establishment) Order XIX of 1955. The jurisdiction of the new West Pakistan High Court extended throughout West Pakistan with the principal seat remaining at Lahore. Both the 1956 and 1962 Constitutions of Pakistan reaffirmed the status of the High Court. The Lahore High Court regained its separate status again under the 1973 Constitution of Pakistan and its jurisdiction was restricted to the province of the Punjab. On January 1, 1981, three benches of the High Court were established at Multan, Rawalpindi and Bahawalpur, and now High Court judges could hold circuit courts throughout the province.

Since 1866 forty-four judges have graced the office of the Chief Justice with current incumbent, the forty-fifth, being the Honourable Mr Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, M.A. (Cantab.). The sanctioned strength of the High Court is sixty and it enjoys original and appellate jurisdiction under Article 175 of the Constitution of Pakistan.

At present the Lahore High Court is undergoing radical change to bring it up to date with current trends in jurisprudence and service. A modren system of case management has revolutionised the court and under the able guidance of the Honourable Chief Justice Mr Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah the Lahore High Court is ready to step into another era of ensuring justice for all.

On Celebration of 150 years of Lahore High Court, a Commemorative Postage Stamp of Rs.8/-denomination is being issued by Pakistan Post on November 26, 2016.

100 YEARS CELEBRATION OF THE ROTARY FOUNDATION. November 20, 2016 (2016-11)

On the auspicious occasion of the Centennial Celebration of the Rotary Foundation, Rotary District Governor 2016-17 Mir Arif Ali called for a extra special recognition commemorating the occasion. The idea of a Postage stamp that would go down in history and remain one of the high points of The Rotary Foundation Centennial Celebration Year.

THE ROTARY INTERNATIONAL AND THE ROTARY FOUNDATION

Rotary International is an international service organization whose stated human rights purpose is to bring together business and professional leaders in order to provide humanitarian services, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and to advance goodwill and peace around the world. It is a secular organization open to all people regardless of race, colour, creed, religion, gender, or political preference. There are over 35,000 member clubs worldwide. 1.2 million individuals called Rotarians have joined these clubs in over 200 Countries and geographical regions.

OUR ONGOING COMMITMENT

Rotarians have not only been present for major events in history - we've been a part of them. From the beginning, three key traits have remained strong throughout Rotary:

We're truly international. Only 16 years after being founded, Rotary had clubs on six continents. Today we're working together from around the globe both digitally and in-person to solve some of our world's most challenging problems.

What is ROTARACT ?

Rotaract is a club for adults ages 18-30 that meets twice a month to exchange ideas, plan activities and projects, and socialize. While Rotary clubs serve as sponsors, Rotaract clubs decide how to organize and run their club and what projects and activities to carry out.

What is INTERACT?

Interact is a club for young people ages 12-18 who want to join together to tackle the issues in their community that they care most about. Through Interact, you can:

Ø  Carry out hands-on service projects

Ø  Make international connections

Ø  Develop leadership skills

Ø  Have fun!

THE ROTARY FOUNDATION 100 YEARS OF DOING GOOD IN THE WORLD

At the 8th annual convention of the Rotary International held at Atlanta Georgia in June 1917, then President Arch C. Klumph proposed a Rotary endowment fund "for the purpose of doing good in the It is the Foundation that, in the words of Rotary International President John Germ. "turned Rotary from an organization of local clubs into an international force for good with the power to change the world". Thanks to Klumph's vision and staunch advocacy and the extraordinary generosity of Rotary members worldwide, the fund has become one of the world's leading humanitarian foundations, supportings the efforts of Rotary International to achieve world understanding through international humanitarian and cultural exchange programs.

Programs:

Polio Eradication

The role that the Rotary Foundation has played in the eradication of Polio worldwide cannot be overstated. It is the leading success story in humanity's battle against a crippling and fatal disease. Since the Polio Plus program's inception in 1985, over 2 billion children received oral Polio vaccine and today only Pakistan and Afghanistan are to attain Polio-free status. Beside its mega success against the Polio menace, the foundation supports disaster recovery program, program to improve health, alleviate hunger, and promote human development.

The Rotary foundation runs the world's largest non-governmental international scholarships program, now funded by district and global grants offered directly through Rotary clubs. Through the Rotary Peace fellowships program, up to 100 fellows are selected annually in a globally competitive process to earn a master's level degree or a professional level certificate in peace and conflict studies at one of six Rotary Peace Centre at leading universities in Australia, Britain, Sweden, Japan, the U.S and Thailand.

AREAS OF FOCUS

We have identified specific causes to target to maximize our local and global impact. At the same time, we understand that each community has its own unique needs and concerns.

Through global grants and other resources, we help clubs focus their service efforts in the following areas.

PROMOTING PEACE

Today, 65 million people are displaced by armed conflict or persecution. Through our partnerships with several leading universities, Rotary Peace Fellows develop the skills to strengthen peace efforts, train local leaders to prevent and mediate conflict, and support long-term peace building in areas affected by conflict. We provide up to 100 peace fellowships per year at Rotary Peace Centres.

FIGHTING DISEASE

More than 100 million people are pushed into poverty each year because of medical costs. We aim to improve and expand access to low-cost and free health care in underdeveloped areas. Our members educate and mobilize communities to help prevent the spread of major diseases such as polio, HIV/AIDS, and malaria. Many of our projects ensure that medical training facilities are located where the workforce lives. world". This was the acorn from which grew the great oak of the Rotary Foundation whose century a grateful world celebrates in 2017.

PROVIDING CLEAN WATER

More than 2.5 billion people lack access to adequate sanitation facilities. At least 3,000 children die each day from diarrheal diseases caused by unsafe water. Our projects give communities the ability to develop and maintain sustainable water and sanitation systems and support studies related to water and sanitation.

SAVING MOTHERS AND CHILDREN

At least 7 million children under the age of five die each year due to malnutrition, poor health care, and inadequate sanitation. To help reduce this rate, we provide immunizations and antibiotics to babies, improve access to essential medical services, and support trained health care providers for mothers and their children. Our projects ensure sustainability by empowering the local community to take ownership of health care training programs.

SUPPORTING EDUCATION

Sixty-seven million children worldwide have no access to education and more than 775 million people over the age of 15 are illiterate. Our goal is to strengthen the capacity of communities to support basic education and literacy, reduce gender disparity in education, and increase adult literacy.

GROWING LOCAL ECONOMIES

Nearly. 1.4 billion employed people live on less than $1.25 a day. We carry out service project that enhance economic and community development and develop opportunities for decent and productive work for young and old. We also help strengthen local entrepreneurs and community leaders, particularly women, in impoverished communities.

The Rotary Foundation is grateful to the Prime Minister and the Pakistan Post, Government of Pakistan who in recognition of the good work Rotary has done in Pakistan and the World approved the idea of Publishing a commemorative stamp on the occasion of the completion of 100 Years of the Rotary Foundation.

On Celebration of 100 years of the Rotary Foundation, a Commemorative Postage Stamp of Rs.8/- denomination is being issued by Pakistan Post on November 20, 2016.