ASIAN PACIFIC POSTAL UNION (APPU) EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING AT ISLAMABAD. March 24, 2015 (2015-01)

Asian-Pacific Postal Union (APPU) is the Regional Postal Union formed in 1961 under Article 8 of the Constitution of the Universal Postal Union (UPU). Any sovereign country which is member of the Universal Postal Union and whose entire territory is situated in Asia, Australasia, Melanesia, Micronesia or Polynesia may accede to APPU.

2. The idea behind its formation was to create a single postal territory amongst the member-countries, to improve the Postal Services in the region and to institute developing a large degree of cooperation between them. Pakistan joined this organization in 1977. Following 32 countries. are its members:-

1. Afghanistan                   2.  Japan               3. Papua New Guinea    4. Australia

5. Lao                    6. Philippines                     7. Bangladesh                    8. Korea Republic

9. Samoa              10. Bhutan                          11. Malaysia                       12. Singapore

13. Brunei Darussalam                   14. Maldives                       15. Solomon Islands

16. Cambodia                     17. China                              18. Mongolia                      19. Sri Lanka

20. Fiji                   21. Myanmar                     22. Thailand                        23.  Nauru

24. Tonga                             25. India                               26. Nepal                             27.  Vanuatu

28. Indonesia                     29. New Zealand                              30. Vietnam        31. Iran

32. Pakistan

3 The Asian-Pacific Postal Union (APPU) performs its functions through the following permanent organs:-

(a) Congress

This is the supreme organ of the Union. It is composed of plenipotentiary representatives of member-countries and is empowered to amend Constitution and General Regulations of the Union. It meets every four-year at a pre-selected place.

(b) Executive Council

To ensure the continuity of the work of the Union in the intervals between Congresses, the Executive Council meets, in principle once each year, unless the majority of member-countries decide otherwise. All member-countries are required to participate in its meetings.

(c) Office

Ø  The Bureau serves as a medium of liaison, information, inquiry and training for the member-countries of the Union.

Ø  The Bureau is composed of the administrative section and the training section

Ø  The host country of the Bureau shall be determined by Congress, or in exceptional circumstances by the Executive Council. In principle, that country shall remain as the host of the Bureau for at least five years.

4. There are following other organizations associated with the Asian-Pacific Postal Union for organizing an efficient postal service within the Asian-Pacific Region:-

(i) The Asian-Pacific Postal College

This institution, based in Bangkok, Thailand is imparting training to postal officers of the member-countries. Pakistan has always benefited from the courses offered by this institution. Officers of Pakistan Post are also being regularly deputed to this institution to carry out tutorial activities.

(ii) Asian-Pacific Post Cooperative

The Asia-Pacific Post cooperative is based in Singapore. Its main tasks are (i) To maintain and improve the quality of express Mail Service for handling time-sensitive services offered by postal administrations of member-countries, (ii) to carry out quality of Service Tests to remove bottle-necks with the aim to improve it, (iii) Management of Track & Trace system for EMS products, and (iv) to study questions of immediate interest to member-countries to make the postal products attractive to commercial users.

5. Pakistan attaches great importance to this organization, Pakistan has been availing following advantages by maintaining its membership in the Asian-Pacific Postal Union and by participating in its meeting:-

Ø  Excellent training facilities are offered by the College run by the Union in certain specialized fields. Each year three free fellowships are offered to Pakistan Post.

Ø  Seminars & workshops are regularly conducted on various important postal operations including Direct Mail Marketing, Parcel Post marketing, ISP Marketing, terminal dues, Postal Financial services etc. and the member countries can be benefited much by attending these forums.

Ø  Close cooperation in providing economical, speedier and reliable means of communications to develop socio-economic relations between peoples in the region.

Ø  Smooth exchange of postal mails keeping the operating costs as low as possible in the region

Ø  Adoption of coordinated approach over the issues of interest in the Asian Pacific Region within the Universal Postal Union

Ø  Coordination in implementing the five-yearly Postal Strategic Plans chalked out by the Universal Postal Union within the region.

Ø  Development in technical cooperation to modernize the postal services

Ø  Sharing ideas and exchange of information for improvement in the postal services.

Ø  Reliance on the technical support of the Asian Pacific Post cooperative

Asian-Pacific Postal Union (APPU) Executive Council Meeting at Islamabad, a commemorative postage stamp of Rs 10/- denomination is being issued by Pakistan Post on March 24, 2015.

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.