Pakistan's First Remote Sensing Satellites. July 09, 2019 (2019-2)

 

1. As the national space agency of Pakistan, SUPARCO is currently pursuing a multifaceted space programme. The National Space Programme-2047 envisages the launch of multiple kinds of satellites to ensure guaranteed access to space and accrue its benefits for socio-economic development of country. In this vein, the launch of remote sensing satellites is an historic and unmatched feet, for it entails space-enabled natural resource inventorying and monitoring, environmental monitoring, disaster risk reduction and mitigation, urban planning and rural development, besides saving a vast sum of foreign exchange.

2. On 9 July 2018, Pakistan successfully launched two remote sensing satellites, called Pakistan Remote Sensing Satellite-1 (PRSS-1) and Pakistan Technology Evaluation Satellite-1A (PakTES-1A) from China. The successful launch of the said satellites has further strengthened space cooperation between Pakistan and China. The timely launch of these satellites was a result of untiring efforts of engineers and scientists of SUPARCO.

3. PRSS-1 is tailored to meet Pakistan's needs for high-resolution imagery required by commercial/strategic users for socio-economic development of the country, especially in the fields of land mapping, agriculture classification and assessment, urban and rural planning, environmental monitoring, natural disaster management and water resource management. PRSS-1 is also being used for providing remote sensing information for CPEC monitoring.

4. Similarly, PakTES-1A is an indigenous satellite equipped with an optical payload commensurate with national socioeconomic and national security needs. The main objective of PakTES-1A is to achieve strategic breakthrough towards indigenisation of design and development of various types of satellites. The project was implemented by SUPARCO through local know-how and capability acquired over the course of past

three decades. PakTES-1A is covering the entire globe for earth observation and is capable of producing 2.4 metres resolution optical images of the planet. The launch and successful in-orbit operationalisation of the satellite is a landmark technological feet in the space journey of Pakistan.

5. The launch of the said satellites has made the nation self-reliant in addressing a myriad of socioeconomic and strategic security challenges. These include effects of climate change, natural and anthropogenic disasters, crop infestation, outbreak of epidemics, urban sprawl, water and other natural resources mismanagement, border security and smuggling etc. The data collected from these satellites shall provide information essential to forecast weather, assess environmental hazards, manage natural resources, and improve our understanding of climate. It will also aid the ongoing national afforestation campaign and identify suitable freshwater storage sites. In addition, the experience and know-how gained by the engineers and scientists of SUPARCO in the design and development of satellites has greatly augmented their technical skills and expertise, ready to be harnessed in future satellite projects.

On the occasion of Launching of Pakistan's First Remote Sensing Satellites, a Commemorative Postage Stamp of Rs. 20/- denomination is being issued by Pakistan Post on July 09, 2019.

150th Death Anniversary of Mirza Asadullah Khan Ghalib Urdu Eminent Poet. February 15, 2019. (2019-1)

 

Mirza Asadullah Khan Ghalib is regarded as the greatest South Asian Poet of Urdu-a language which is widely used and understood in entire region. He is also a Poet of Persian and a prose writer both in Urdu and Persian with a unique and distinct style of his own. As a Persian Poet he is well-known in Iran and Central Asia also. Actually, his ancestors hailed from Transoxiana, a part of Central Asia and migrated to India in the middle of the 18th Century some fifty years before his birth. Ghalib lived in Delhi during the twilight of the Mughal rule in the Sub-Continent as a Poet and writer was a ture and most authentic representative of the central tradition of the literary and cultural history of the period.

As the greatest Poet of the 19th century, Ghalib has not only been a constant subject of literary criticism in the 20th century but has also attracted wide-spread attention of the common reader of Urdu who loves, admires and quotes him whenever he can even without having read or understood him thoroughly. No other Urdu Poet dominates the literary scene in the same way and lives in the hearts and minds of people as Ghalib. His charisma as a Poet in the literary world of the Sub-Continent is unprecedented and unmatched.

Ghalib had a strong personality and he was conscious of it. This consciousness was responsible for Ghalib's urge to express himself in his own individual manner. So he deviated from the tradition of Urdu Poets and gave expression to the thoughts and feelings of his individual personality rather than to the thoughts and feelings of the community in general.

Ghalib did not defy tradition but the carved out a new and different path for himself. As a result he discovered new realms of thoughts and feelings and endowed new dimensions to the ones already discovered. He added new shades of meaning to words so much so that a study of his poetry becomes a veritable exercise in appreciating meanings of meanings. What he says is of course significant but equally significant is what he leaves unsaid. He creates a sense of the infinite while dealing with the finite.

In the last phase of his life Ghalib the poet became Ghalib the letter writer. The sad music of Ghalib's soul expressing itself in the other harmony of prose epitomizes not only his personal mood or temper but in fact the mood and temper of a whole generation in the period after the great upheaval of 1857 which brought an end to the Mughal rule in the Sub-Continent.

In short Ghalib's world is a world inhabitated by intensely human experiences of a lively and rich personality with a new and refreshing mode of thoughts and feelings. Ghalib was conscious of his personality but he was not a prisoner of it. He had the breadth of vision and a catholicity of outlook which enabled him to see beyond himself. He had a truly sensitive, free and open mind ready to perceive and imbibe. That is why while Ghalib always remained Ghalib, he could also be you and me and many others. Like Shake-spear he was not wedded to a particular view of life nor did he make an attempt to systematise his thinking. He was large as life and had a real zest for it and a rare insight into it affairs. He was neither an optimist, nor a pessimist. He was a through-bread realist in his personal life as well as in his poetry and prose.

On the occasion of 150th Death Anniversary of Mirza Asadullah Khan Ghalib (Urdu Eminent Poet). Pakistan Post is issuing a Commemorative Postage Stamp of Rs.8/- denomination on February 15, 2019.

"New Political Map of Pakistan - 2020" December 25, 2020 (2020-11)

 

1. After revoking Article 370 on 5 August 2019, India issued new Political Map which included Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJ&K) and Gilgit Baltistan (GB) as part of Indian occupied territories. Apropos, Government of Pakistan approved new Political Map of

Pakistan on 4 August 2020 while considering following aspects:-

a. New map should reflect aspirations of the people of Pakistan - a reference for future generations.

b. To show Pakistan's stated position with respect to Jammu & Kashmir, Siachin and Sir Creek.

c. To highlight illegal occupation of Jammu & Kashmir by India.

d. Correction / reiteration of historic stance on Jammu & Kashmir while projecting Pakistan's perspective both inland & abroad -The Kashmir cause.

2. To commemorate this historical milestone, it is recommended that a special postal stamp depicting new Political Map of Pakistan be issued on 25 December 2020. The stamp shall depict the changes made in the new Political Map of Pakistan as elaborated below:-

a. Complete Jammu & Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan shown as part of Pakistan with International Border marked accordingly.

b. Complete Jammu & Kashmir including Gilgit Baltistan (including Indian Occupied Parts) shown in one distinct. colour.

c. Gilgit-Baltistan regional boundary with rest of Jammu & Kashmir drawn distinctly.

d. Following annotation written within Indian Occupied Part:-

Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (Disputed Territory-Final Status to be decided in line with relevant UNSC Resolutions)

e. Line of Control (LOC) marked in red dotted line in accordance with own stance with respect to line north of point NJ 9842 up to Karakoram Pass. Annotation indicating LOC as under:-

"The red dotted line represents approximately the line of control in Jammu & Kashmir.  he state of Jammu & Kashmir and its accession is yet to be decided through plebiscite under the relevant United Nations Security Council Resolutions."

f. A word AJK written along LOC with following annotation:-

"AJK stands for Azad Jammu & Kashmir as defined in the AJK Interim Constitution Act, 1974."

g. Working Boundary marked with appropriate annotation. h. Annotation for FRONTIER UNDEFINED added:-

"Actual boundary in the area where remark FRONTIER UNDEFINED appears, would ultimately be decided by the sovereign authorities concerned after the final

settlement of the Jammu & Kashmir dispute."

i. Border with India on Sir Creek reflected as continuous riband Key "International boundary along the eastern bank of the Creek" added.

Pakistan Post is issuing a Speical Postage Stamp of Rs 20/- denomination on "New Political Map of Pakistan - 2020" December 25, 2020.

Pink Ribbon - Breast Cancer Awareness. November 11, 2020 (2020-10)

 

Statistics of Breast Cancer in Pakistan

a.    1 out of 9 women is at risk of having breast cancer in Pakistan

b.    40,000 women die from breast cancer every year in Pakistan

c.    Average 90,000 cases are diagnosed each year

d.    Over 10 million in Pakistan are at risk of Breast Cancer

e.    Pakistan has the highest rate of Breast Cancer in the whole of Asia.

f.     Breast Cancer's prevalence (38.5%) is highest amongst all cancers, in Pakistan.

g.    Around 70% of Breast Cancer patients come for treatment at stage III, therefore survival rate is very low in Pakistan.

h.    If detected at an early stage, the chance of surviving increases by up to 90%.

INTRODUCTION

Pink Ribbon Pakistan is a volunteer-driven, non-funded, self-sustained and the only organization in the country which is dedicatedly working on the issue of breast cancer with nationwide outreach since 2004.

We strive to significantly reduce breast cancer mortality in the country by creating widespread awareness through community engagement on prevention, early detection and increased access to treatment.

Our scope of work is holistic from strategic interventions to public awareness including patient-aid and service delivery.

To provide relief to poor people, we are setting up a dedicated Breast Cancer Hospital where deserving patients will get free of cost treatment under one roof.

VISION

We are envisioning a future where breast cancer victims will be treated with world  lass healthcare technology. We are setting up Pakistan's first dedicated BREAST CANCER HOSPITAL in Lahore which will, significantly, reduce breast cancer mortality in Pakistan. In our Journey towards a cancer free Pakistan, we are committed to build more breast cancer hospitals in the future.

MISSION

Our mission is to prevent and cure breast cancer by creating widespread awareness through community engagement on prevention, early detection and increased access to treatment.

BACKGROUND

At the outset in 2004, talking about Breast Cancer was not easy in the society where this fatal disease was largely associated with female sexuality, but Pink Ribbon campaigned so effectively that not only the taboo was broken and Breast Cancer was included in the narrative of mainstream media but also the government acknowledged the cause and made Breast Cancer a priority in national health agenda.

This impressive campaign of spreading Breast Cancer awareness and building alliances with public and corporate sector organization led Pink Ribbon win IPRA Frontline Golden World Award. Pink Ribbon continued its struggle over the years, achieving one milestone after another. Gradually, we moved from campaigning and advocacy to service delivery and launched National Breast Cancer Screen Program through Mobile Mammogram Units.

Realizing the utmost privation of quality healthcare facilities for Breast Cancer, Pink Ribbon laid the foundation of Pakistan's first dedicated Breast Cancer Hospital in 2017. The Hospital will be operational by June 2019. Support Pink Ribbon in this redemptive cause.

REACHING OUT TO THE COMMUNITY

We have empowered 12,000,000 women through community-based education on breast health, provided free clinical breast examination to 29,000 symptomatic patients, free mammograms to 3,700 of the poorest-of-the-poor women and educated at least 1,326,658, young girls, through direct interaction in 200 Universities and Colleges.

PROGRAMMES

Prevention

Healthy Lifestyle Campaign (a Healthy lifestyle can lower the risk of breast cancer)

Studies shows that around 40% of breast cancer are preventable by adopting healthy lifestyle. Researches reveal that diet, nutrition and physical activity affect the cancer risk including breast cancer. Pink Ribbon's focus is now on prevention so women and girls who are at risk of developing breast cancer can be saved by this ailment.

Awareness Program:

Early Detection Campaign

Early Detection Can Save lives

Lack of awareness causes a delay in detection, that's why 70% of our women reach to hospitals at stage III of cancer leading to more deaths.

Youth Engagement Programme

To educate young girls on breast self-examination techniques.

Community Outreach Programme

To empower women and girls with life-saving techniques of early detection.

PINKtober

Annual month long awareness campaign that focuses on all the stakeholders to gather maximum support for the issue of breast cancer.

Patient Support Programme

Advisory services

We advise, support, and connect patient to a best suitable health facility.

Counseling

Emotional support

The Survivor Programme

Treatment

National Screening

Provided free mammograms to 3700 poorest of the poor women

Medical Co-Pay Assistance Programme

Setting up Pakistan's first dedicated breast cancer hospital to provide free

of cost treatment to deserving patients.

Pink Ribbon - Breast Cancer Awareness, Pakistan Post is issuing a Speical Postage

Stamp of Rs 20/- denomination November 11, 2020.

75th Anniversary of United Nations. October 24, 2020 (2020-9)

 

The United Nations was two years old when Pakistan was born. In 1945, Fifty one nations of the world, expressed determination to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war; reaffirmed faith in fundamental human rights, dignity and worth of the human person, equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small; and determined to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom. With this preamble the United Nations Charter came into force on 24 October 1945.

Two years later, Pakistan came into being, as a democratic expression of the Muslims of South Asia, to uphold justice, promote tolerance and preserve religious and cultural identities.

The Father of the Nation, Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, outlining the ideals of Pakistan's foreign policy, based it on the principles of the Charter of the United Nations: peace and prosperity among nations of the world; honesty and fair play in international dealings; no aggressive designs against any country or nation and material and moral support to the oppressed and suppressed peoples of the world. Guided by the vision of its founding fathers, Pakistan has engaged with the United Nations to build partnerships and alliances for the collective good. We have participated actively in discussions on a host of issues including international peace and security. human rights, disarmament, development, environment, climate change,

and international law.

As the United Nations turns 75 today, Pakistan joins the international community in rejoicing its achievements and reflecting on the setbacks. Indeed, the achievements and setbacks of the United Nations are a manifestation of the success and failures of its Member States.

Pakistan was at the forefront of the United Nations' drive for decolonization that resulted in establishment of dozens of states in Asia, Africa and Latin America, based on the inalienable right to self-determination. Pakistani national delegations steered the intergovernmental endorsements of the decolonization process at relevant forums of the United Nations.

Our efforts contributed in ending the dark chapter of foreign domination and subjugation in many parts of world and helped translate the universality of the right of people to self-determination into reality.

Pakistan remains a leading Member State in United Nations' efforts to maintain international peace and security. Pakistan has been a leading troop contributor to the UN Peacekeeping Missions around the world. We have proudly contributed over 200,000 troops that have served with honor and professionalism in 46 missions over six decades. Moreover, 157 brave Pakistani peacekeepers have offered supreme sacrifice for world peace.

Pakistan has served seven terms as members of the Security Council, piloting important Resolutions and Presidential Statements. Pakistan is also a leading voice for reform of the Security Council to make it more democratic, inclusive and accountable.

Pakistan's contributions to the United Nations are as old as the country itself. The authors of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, adopted by the General Assembly in 1948, included a Pakistani woman delegate of distinction. Since then, Pakistan has helped evolve the United Nations' discourse on human rights as a member of the Human Rights Commission and later as a founding member of the Human Rights Council, where it has served four terms since its inception in 2006.

As host to the largest protracted refugee population, Pakistan has contributed immensely to the United Nations' humanitarian efforts. Pakistan is internationally recognized for hosting millions of refugees and migrants for decades and in offering opportunities for their health, education and employment. Prime Minister of Pakistan co-convened a Global Refugee Forum in 2019. Pakistan has also donated generously to the World Food Program and a number of United Nations-led humanitarian relief efforts across the globe.

In the seventy-fifth anniversary year of the UN, Pakistan is proud to be elected as President of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). Strengthening the development pillar of the United Nations has been a constant endeavor for Pakistan. As a founding member and Chair of the Group of 77, we have strived to amplify the voice of the developing countries in the United Nations decision-making in trade, development and finance. Pakistan's leadership of ECOSOC will be focused on ameliorating the suffering of the developing countries fighting COVID-19, and assisting in financing for Sustainable Development Goals and addressing climate

change. We will also focus on sustainable infractucture development, application of advanced science and technology for sustained, efficient and sustainable growth, debt relief for developing countries and fighting illicit financial flows.

Whilst the promise of the UN-administered plebiscite in Jammu and Kashmir remains unfulfilled, the United Nations and its various bodies remain seized of the grave situation in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). Pakistan continues to facilitate the UN Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP), a reminder of the international nature of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute. Three important meetings of the Security Council, two reports by the UN High Commission for Human Rights and numerous statements and press releases by UN Experts and Mechanisms have highlighted the multiple dimensions of egregious human rights violations and precarious security situation in IIOJK, warranting urgent implementation of Security Council Resolutions. The 75th anniversary is a solemn reminder to the United Nations and international community to fulfill its promise to the people of Jammu and Kashmir to grant them their fundamental right of self-determination.

To Celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the United Nations' Pakistan Post is issuing a Commemorative Postage Stamp of Rs 20/- denomination on October 24, 2020.