INTERNATIONAL STAMPS EXHIBITION: "SHARJAH2012"

Report by:- Mohammad Akram Naeem

The Emirates Philatelic Association organized the 28th FIAP Asian International Stamp Exhibition (Sharjah 2012). The Exhibition was held at the "Mega Mall" a famous shopping centre of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. It was a 6-day exhibition including all FIP/FIAP classes, held from 20-25 November. The Exhibition was endorsed by Federation of Inter-Asian Philately (FIAP) at their executive committee meeting held on 27 April 2012 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, carried with the FIAP Patronage.

Shaikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Media Corporation, has opened this 28th Asian International Stamp Exhibition (Sharjah 2012), hosted by the Emirates Philatelic Association (EPA) at Mega Mall Sharjah.The President of FIAP Surajit Gongvatana also attended the event together with Michael Ho, the FIAP Co-ordinator.

About 24 countries participated in this big event, including Australia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, China(PRC), China(ROC), Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Korea, Kuwait, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Thailand and United Arab Emirates. The exhibits were dispalyed at 4 different points, with different catagories, in the MEGA Mall shopping centre, consisting of 800 Frames. UAE was on top with more than 85 Frames and Pakistan was one of the top 5 Exhibiting countries with 56 Frames. All the Exhibits with 5 Frames from Pakistan won the medals from Bronze Silver to Large Vermeil. The Large Vermeils went to Iqbal Nanji & Sultan Mahmud and Saleha Batool in Youthy class with a special prize. Hereunder is the list of Exhibits from Pakistan with marks and medals:

Muhammad Arif Balghamwala	Saudi Arabia 1865-1937	81- V
Adnan Hussain Nanji	Saudi Arabia: Hejaz & Nejd 1916-25	79- LS
Mohammad Jamil Ahmed	Pakistan:The State Of Bahawalpur(1933-48)	78- LS
Sultan Mahmud	Pakistan: Bahawalpur State 1933-48	87- LS
Iqbal Nanji	India: Jammu & Kashmir 1878-94	88- LV
Mustafa Hasnain	Pakistan Overprint on Ordinary KGVI Nasik	78- LS
Afzal Hussain Nanji	Study on Pakistan Overprint (Service	79-LS
Imtiaz Ahmed Awan	G. B.:RED PENNY-Study of Platings	77- LS
Ghias Ahmad	Postal Stationery of British India 1856-1947	80- V
Mohammad Akram Naeem	Islamic Events & Holy Places	69- SB
Syeda Saleha Batool	Pakistan Pre-decimal Period 1947-49	89-LV+SP
Salman Qureshi	UAE:Local Surcharge(1965-6)Trucial States	68-

All the delegates of Jury & Commisioners, together with the Organizing Committee were taken for a Dubai city round, especially to Burj Al-Khalifa, the tallest building of the world, where we were taken to 124th floor, to view the city & it's towers from Top. The day was Friday, so upon reaching to CORP Hotel Dubai, the Muslims performed Friday Parayers in nearby Mosques. Later the Lunch with delicious Arabic & Continental dishes, was offered, following the Prize and Award distribution ceremony to Jury Team, Commisioners and the Organizing Personals. The awards to Jury Team was given by the Jury President Abdulla Khoory and the FIAP Co-ordinator Michael Ho.

Sharjah 2012 was a very good show. Our thanks must go to Abdulla Khoory, President of the Organizing Committee, and the other members of the Committee, especially Muhammad Javaid, Khalid al-Omaira and Hatim al-Attar, who performed their duties with full responsibility. The traditional Arab hospitality was overwhelming throughout the show. A lot of expected and unexpected visitors attended this show, and there was a good number of dealers as well. Moreover all the Post Offices from Gulf Region  were present in the show, providing many new and old issues of their states including Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arab & UAE. The famous agent of the Tnisia Post, Regaieg Rachid was also there, but did not offer any new issues of stamps. Many dealers from all around the world were part of the show, including many from Pakistan.

Wetlands Of Pakistan. The Arabian Sea Coral Reefs. (2012-20)

Wetlands of Pakistan The Arabian Sea Coral Reefs Commemorative Postage Stamps October 4, 2012:- Coral Reef Discovery Along Makran Coast, (Arabian Sea) Pakistan:- Coral Reefs are the “Rainforests” of the ocean. Reefs are ecologically important ecosystems and have a high biodiversity that serves as a storage bank of rich genetic resources. They are a source of food and medicine, and they protect the coast from wave erosion. Scientists have found an abundance of compounds to help fight heart disease, asthma, cancer, HIV and more.

Coral reefs are structure made of limestone deposited by living organisms. Although thousands of species inhabit coral reefs, however, only a fraction production produces the limestone that build the reef. The most important reef building organisms are the corals. Although there are hundreds of different species of corals but in general they are classified as either hard or soft coral. Hard corals (hermatypic) grow in colonies and are the architects of coral reefs.

Coral reefs are one of the oldest environments on earth. Most of the existing reefs have been growing from over 5,000 years.

There are three basic kinds of coral reefs: fringing reefs, barrier reefs, and atolls. Fringing reefs grow in shallow waters close to the coast. Barrier reefs are separated from land by lagoon, growing parallel to the coast and forming a large and continuous reef. Atolls are ring-shaped reefs that develop near the sea surface on underwater islands or island that sink, or subside.

Coral reefs are vital to coastal fisheries. It provide spawning, nursery, refuge and feeding areas for a large variety of organisms, including economically important crustaceans (e.g. shrimps, spiny lobsters and crabs).

A field mission of the Pakistan Wetlands Programme (PWP), lead by coral expert from Millport University, UK, indentified the first ever coral reef ecosystem near the Astola Island. Before this discovery it was blindly believed that coral reefs are not existed in Pakistan’s jurisdiction of the Arabian Sea.

The basis of information collected about coral reef associated fish species from the fishing areas near Gwader, an expedition team encompassing divers from PWP and Pakistan Navy conducted a survey of the possible coral sites in 2011 and discovered large area of deep sea coral near Gwader. This underwater survey was conducted in five sites in Gwader along the Arabian Sea. The most significant sites were: Cher Koh, Baladi Koh and Ganjabad. The coral colonies occurring at the Cher Koh, Baladi Koh and Ganjabad are mostly in growing stage and present a healthy condition.

Coral cannot survive it the water temperature is too high. Global warming has already led to increase levels of coral bleaching and this is predicated to increase in requency and severity in the coming decades. Adverse affects of this phenomenon cannot be avoided in terms of reefs ecosystems along Makran Coast.

On Wetlands of Pakistan (The Arabian Sea Coral Reefs), Pakistan Post is issuing a set of four commemorative postage stamps each denomination of Rs.8/- on October 4, 2012.

GOLDEN JUBILEE AYUB BRIDGE 1962-2012 (2012- 13)

Golden Jubilee of Ayub Bridge Commemorative Postage Stamp June 15, 2012:- The bridge was designed by Dr. D.B Steinman of New York and it was constructed by Doman Long Ltd (German) in association with M.S Gammon Construction Ltd. (Pakistan. Construction of Ayub Bridge was commenced on November 26, 1959 and completed on March 17, 1962. Total cost of the bridge at the time of construction was 21.6 million Pak rupees. The bridge was inaugurated by the then President of Pakistan, Field Marshal Muhammad Ayub Khan and opened for Rail traffic on May 6, 1962.

This is Steel Arch Suspension Bridge. The height of Crown of arch above bearing is 204.7 feet. The quantities of steel, High Tensile steel and Mild steel are respectively 131 tons, 1002 tons (main chord) and 1907 ton (rest of the portion of bridge). Span of the bridge is 806 feet and 9 inches.

The road over the Sukkur barrage involving a distance of 13 kilometers betweenSukkur and Rohri Railway Station remained the only road connection between Sukkur and Rohri. It was decided to utilize the Lansdowne Bridge for road traffic by providing a roadway. The work was started on December 16, 1963 and completed on June 10, 1964. By opening of roadway the distance for the road taffic between Sukkur and Rohri was reduced to 5 kilometers as against 13 kilometers over the Sukkur Barrage. Lansdowne Bridgte was a road bridge and it is still in working condition having full functional capacity. There is a beautiful Hindu sacred shrine in downstream of this bridge with a graceful Army Restoration.

It has a proper decking for Army purposes. It may serve as a road bridge as well as an emergency bridge during war time. Even the heaviest vehicle like Tanks can also easily cross over this bridge. It is truly called as the masterpiece of Railway Engineers.

There was no such engineered arch at that time in Asia, when this arch of 800 meters was buils in 1962. Even today as it stands, has the third largest arch’s position in Asia. Ayub Bridge has been constructed with the help of such a fine and best quality material that it still stands in its original state. While coming from Lahore to Rohri, this gigantic bridge can be easily seen from a distance of 04 kilometers.

On the Golden Jubilee of Ayub Bridge, Pakistan Post is issuing a commemorative postage stamp of Rs.8/- denomination on June 15, 2012.

L68- PAKISTAN 40TH ANNIVERSARY UNITED NATIONS UN ENVIRONMENT PROGRAMME. (2012-12)

40th Anniversary of United Nations Environment Programme Commemorative Postage Stamps June 5, 2012:- Environmental issues in Pakistan threaten the population’s health and have been distributing the balance between economic development and environmental protection. As a great problem for the nature and nation of Pakistan and As Pakistan is a large importer of both exhaustible and renewable natural resources and a large consumer of fossil fuels, the Ministry of Environment of Government of Pakistan takes responsibility to conserve and protect the environment.

Conservation Efforts:- The government has expressed concern about environment threats to economic growth and social development and since the early 1990s, has addressed environmental concerns with new legislation and institutions such as a Pakistan Environment Protection Council. Yet, foreign lenders provide most environmental protection funds, and only 0.04 percent of the government’s development budget goes to environmental protection. Thus, the government’s ability to enforce environmental regulations is limited, and private industries often lack funds to meet environmental standards established by international trade organizations.

National Conservation Strategy (NCS):- The National Conservation strategy has three explicit objectives: (i) Conservation of natural resources, (ii) Promotion of sustainable development, (iii) Improvement of efficiency in the use and management of resources. It sees itself as a “call for action” addressed to central and provincial governments, businesses, and Non-governmental organization (NGOs), local communities, and individuals.

The National Conversation Strategy recommended fourteen programme areas for priority implementation: maintaining soils in croplands, increasing efficiency of irrigation, protecting watersheds, supporting forestry and plantations, restoring rangelands and improving livestock, protecting water bodies and sustaining fisheries, conserving biodiversity, increasing energy efficiency, developing and deploying renewable resources, preventing or decreasing pollution, managing urban wastes, supporting institutions to manage common resources, integrating population and environmental programs, and preserving the cultural heritage. Special attention has been paid to the potential roles of environmental NGO’s, women’s organizations, and international NGO’s in working with the government in its conservation efforts.

The average temperature in Pakistan had risen by 0.2 degrees in only 2 years, This is a dramatic change and puts emphasis on Climate Change Campaigns. In the 1980s World Wildlife Fund (WWF), United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) and  International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)-World Conservation Union collaborated to formulate the World Conservation Strategy to ‘save the world’. After IUCN started its work in Pakistan. The government and IUCN worked to formulate the National Conservation Strategy for Pakistan over a three-year period. The NCS is a plan to integrate environmental concerns into Pakistan’s economy. The implementation of the strategy started with the formation of institutions such as the Environmental Section in the Federal Planning and Development Division and the Sustainable Development Policy Institute.

Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD):- Pakistan ratified this convention in 1992 with 161 nations at the Earth Summit at Rio. Consequently, Pakistan became a contributor and beneficiary to the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) set up under the convention. It is also taking initiatives in community level projects to conserve biodiversity.

Ghazi-Barotha Hydropower Project:- The project has the capacity to produce 1,450 mw of electricity. With this project, the Water and Power Department for the first time took efforts to study the environment and to include environmental considerations.

UN Convention on Combating Destrification (CCD):- This is an international treaty for collaborative action against damage and poverty in drylands. Pakistan signed this in 1997 and is in the process of developing its National Action Plan to fight desertification, which afflicts about 45 million hectares. A local NGO, Society for Conservation and Protection of Environment (SCOPE) is active in this area.

Shehla Zia Case:- This was a case filed against WAPDA to halt the construction of a grid station near a residential area. The judgment given was in favour of the citizens and became a landmark decision in the field of environmental law in the country. This case set the precedent for subsequent environmental cases.

Maintaining Biodiversity With Rural Community Development:- IUCN – Pakistan and the Government of NWFP’s Wildlife Department jointly implement this project. Rural communities are active partners in this project and over 40 villages were involved in the first two years.

Sarhad Provincial Conservation Strategy (SPCS):- In 1996, the Government of NWFP approached IUCN to formulate and implement the SPCS. This was the principal plan to implement the National Conservation Strategy. The strategy has spurred the governments of Baluchistan and the Northern Areas to emulate this move.

Pakistan Environmental Protection Bill 1997 (PEPA):- PEPA supplements the 1983 Environmental Protection Ordinance with more functions for the Environmental Protection Agencies, and new laws dealing with pollution. It also rationalizes the Environmental Protection Council.

Year 2012 is the United Nations Environment Programmes’ (UNEP) 40th Anniversary. This marks four decades of service and achievements, which have assisted in catalyzing and evolving the environment as an integrated aspect of sustainable development vital for the social progress of now 7 billion people.

This is reflects in the logo slogan-“Serving People and the Planet”. The key to this message is that UNEP has not only been concerned with the conservation and more intelligent management of the planet but, just as important, serving its inhabitants.

On 40th Anniversary of United Nations Environment Programme, Pakistan Post is issuing a set of four Commemorative Postage Stamps each denomination of Rs.8/- on June 5, 2012.

L74c- Pakistan Karachi Stamp Exhibition 2012. (2012-14)

EID CELEBRATION (2012-15)

Special Postage Stamps on The Eve of Eid Celebration August 13, 2012:- Eid-ul-Fitr is the most important festival in the Islamic Calendar. This festival is the Culminating point of the Holy month of Ramzan, during which Quran-ul-Hakeem and Laila-tul-Qadar (Night of Grandeur) were gifted to the Muslim Ummah. While fasting teaches us self-discipline and provides us moral and spiritual blessings, Eid-ul-Fitr marks the end of the fasting and brings the message of collective merry-making as well as sharing our good fortune with the less fortune in our fraternity.

The entire Muslim Ummah celebrates this most auspicious festival in every nook and corner of the world with great spiritual devotion, offering Eid prayers in Eidgahs, mosques or open spaces in towns and cities. The Eid prayer is the climax of this grand festival. One can see during this special congregation endless sight of row upon row of the faithful spread across the open air Eidgahs, a supreme manifestation of Muslim fraternity and equality of mankind.

After Eid prayers, the Muslims embrace and greet other fellow Muslims and pay visits to graveyards to pray for the departed souls. This sufficiently indicates that Islam is the religion of peace, friendship and aspires to promote universal brotherhood. Special sweet dishes are prepared and served to friends, relatives and other visitors. The young folk wear bright costumes and enjoy themselves with various types of entertainments on Eid day including a visit to special Eid Fairs and participating in different cultural activities. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) used to wear a new dress on this occasion. But it was always very simple which every member of the brother could afford.

No boubt, there were people who could not even afford such simple dresses. To make it possible for them to join the rejoicings of Eid, the Holy Prophet (PBUH) ordered the rich to pay them a prescribed amount (known as fitrana) in advance, so that they may be able to get their new dress prepared for the occasion. The institution of Fitrana re-inforces Islam’s emphasis on one’s obligations towards society. Some of the prescribed practices or special spiritual etiquettes of Eid-ul-Fitr are given below:-

It is compulsory fo all the faithful to take a bath and wear new dress.

It is Sunnah to eat dates or some sweet dish before leaving for Eid prayers. The Holly Prophet (PBUH) always use to go for Eid congregation after eating some dates. (reported by Anas Bin Maalik & collected in Saheeh Al-Bukhari (Eng. Trans, Vol. 2 P-40 No. 73) & Ahmad.

It is Sunnah to recite “Takbiraat “loudly while going to Eidgah for offering Eid prayers or coming back from there. It is reported that the Holy Prophet (PBUH) himself used to recite these “Takbiraat” with a loud voice on Eid Day.

Pay Fitrana before Eid prayers to ensure that the less fortunate among us are also enabled to share the festivities. Fitrana is to be paid for every young or old. Its rates are fixed according to the prevailing rates of wheet and dates by Ulema.

It is preferable to offer “Eid Prayer” in an open ground or Eidgah and not in the Masjid, if possible. (Bukhri and Muslim)

It is Sunnah to adopt different routes to and from the Eidgah, preferable going on foot. The Holly Prophet (PBUH) himself used to go the Eidgah on foot and declared that it was more reqarding to seek the Divine blessings. Jabir reported that Prophet (PBUH) used to come back from the Eid prayer on a path other than the one used in going to it.

Sending Eid greetings to friends and relatives are customary on this occasion throughout the Muslim world. Exchange of special Eid cards is to show affection for the near and dear ones.

Pakistan Post Office has been issuing beautiful designed Eid Cards at different times. A special Eid Greeting envelope was also issued by Pakistan Post Office. Pakistan office issued following stamps on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr in the past.

On 24th December, 1999 two stamps of Rs. 2 & 15 denomination were issued.

On 14th November, 2002 One stamp of Rs. 4 denomination was issued.

On the eve of Eid celebration, Pakistan Post is issuing a Set of 4 Special postage stamps of each Rs.8/- denomination on August 13, 2012.

PAKISTAN WILDLIFE SERIES MIGRATORY BIRDS IN PAKISTAN (2012-19)

Migratory Birds in Pakistan Wild Life Series Commemorative Postage Stamps September 27, 2012:- Siberian Crane Order: Gruiformes. Family : Gruidae:- Siberian Cranes are widely dispersed in their breeding areas and rare highly territorial. They maintain feeding territories in winter but many form small and loose flocks, and gather closer at their winter roosts. They are very diurnal, feeding almost all through the day and their migration is done. When feeding on submerged vegetation, they often immerse their heads entirely underwater. When calling the birds stretch their neck forward. The context of several calls have been identified and several of these vary with sex. Individual variation is very slight and most calls have a dominant frequency of about 1.4khs. the unison calls duets between paired males and female however are more distinctive with marked differences across pairs. The female produces a higher pitched call which is the “loo” in the duetted “doodleloo” call. Pairs with walk around other pairs to threaten them and drive them away from their territory. In captivity, one individual was recorded to have lived for nearly 62 years while another lived for 83 years.

White Stork Order: Ciconiiformes. Famiy : Cicniidae:- The White Stork is a large bird. It has a length of 100-115 cm (39-45 in) and a standing h4eight of 100-125 cm (39-49 in). The wingspan is 155-215 cm (61-85 in) and its weight is 2.3-4.4 kg (5.1-9.7 lb). Like all storks, it has long legs, a long neck, and a long, straight, pointed beak.

The sexes are indentical in appearance, except that males are larger than females on average. The plumage is mainly white with black flight feathers and wing coverts; the black is caused by the pigment melanin. The breast eathers are long and shaggy forming a ruff which is used in some sourtship displays. The irises are dull brown a bright red beak and red legs, the coloration of which is derived from carotenoids in the diet. In parts of Spain, studies have shown that the pigment is based on astazanthin obtained from an introduced species of cray fish (Procambarus clarkia) and the bright red beak colours show up even in nestlings, in contrast to the duller beaks of young White Storks elsewhere.

Snow Geese Order: Anseriformes. Family : Anatidae:- The Snow Geese has two color plumage morphs white (snow) or gray / blue (blue), thus the common description as snows and blues.

White morph birds are white except for black wing tips but blue morph geese have bluish grey plumage replacing the white except on the head neck and tail tip. The immature blue phase is drab or slate-gray with little to no white on the head, nick or belly. Both snow and blue phase have rose-red feet and legs, and pink bills with black tomia (cutting edges) giving them a black “grin patch”. The colors are not as bright on the feet, legs and bill of immature birds. The head can be stained rusty-brown from minerals in the soil where they feed. They are very vocal and can often be heard from more than a mile away.

Shoveler Duck Order : Anseriformes. Family : Anatidae:- This species is unmistable in the northern hemisphere due to its large spatulate bill. The bredding dark has an iridescent dark green head, white breast and chestnut belly and flanks. In flight, pale blue forewing feathers are revealed, separated from the green speculum by white border. In early fall the male will have a white crescent on each side of the face.

Non-breeding (eclipse) plumage, the drake resembles the female. The female is a drab mottled brown like other dabblers, with plumage much like a female Mallard, but easily distinguished by the long broad bill, which is gray tinged with orange on cutting edge and lower mandible. The female’s forewing is gray.

On Migratory Birds in Pakistan (Wild Life Series), Pakistan Post is issuing a set of four commemorative postage stamps each denomination of Rs.8/- on September 27, 2012.

30 Years of Sialkot chamber of Commerce & Industry. (2012-18)

 

 

 

30Th Years of Sialkot Chamber of Commerce And Industry (1982-2012) Commemorative Postage Stamp September 26, 2012:- The Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry is one of the Top Chambers of the Country representing the export oriented industry of Sialkot. The Chamber was established in 1982 and the late Mr. A. D. Bhutta was its founder President.

The city of Sialkot is known world over for rich industrial heritage in the field of Sports goods, Surgical instruments, Military Uniform Badges & Accessories, Musical Instruments which has now expanded with addition of Martial Arts Equipments & Accessories, Knives & Cutlery, Gloves, Leather Garments, Sports wears, add more sectors etc. The local business communities, despite many constraints, have accelerated the pace of industrialization in the city, which had been originally progressing at a snail pace. The reason of this very slow progress was that the fact no trade body was there to give protection to the interest of the local industrialists. The Sialkot Association of Trade and Industry was formed in 1976 and it was affiliated with Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

The said Association provided progressive and appreciative services to the business community. There were 1000 firms registered with the association within a span of seven years up to 1982. Owing to the efforts of the said Association most of the Government regulatory offices were shifted to Sialkot, but because of the bureaucratic attitude of the Government functionaries, decision on most of the cases could not be taken.

In view of the problem and difficulties of the trading community, the urgency of constituting a Chamber was widely felt, which could provide a more prestigious and dignified forum to the local business community which could effectively take up the issues with Government for redressal. It was decided by the pioneers of the local community to get the existing Association to the level of Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The Association adopted the necessary resolution in the meeting held on 12-12-1979 for taking up the matter with Ministry of Commerce. Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry passed similar resolution on 28-07-1981. The Sialkot Chamber was incorporated under company Act 1913 vide License No. 24 dated 15-07-1982 issued by the Ministry of Commerce, Government of Pakistan under section 3 of Trade Organization Ordinance 1961 and was formally affiliated with FPCCI on 17-08-1982.

The Sialkot Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SCCI), comprises of its 7000 plus active members including proprietorships, Associations of Persons (AOPs), Partnerships, Corporations dealing in industry, commerce and trade. Most of them are connected with the production and exports. The Sialkot Chamber of Commerce & Industry has always come up to the expectations of its members and other stakeholders by contributing its services for the promotion and development of Trade, Industry and Commerce since its inception.

Being apex trade body of Sialkot, the activities of Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry are manifold and multidimensional in nature. It is watching and safeguarding the interest of the business community on one hand and helping the Government in the formulation of various trade policies through workable proposals, suggestions and recommendations on the other hand. The global activities of the Sialkot Chamber have extended beyond all frontiers in terms of establishing business links among the locals and those at far ends of the world. It keeps a close eye on the global business trends and provides information to the members accordingly. Through its proactive approach the Sialkot Chamber has greatly contributed in expansion of industries, promotion of exports and generating economic activity.

Through concerted efforts of the members and facilitating role of the Sialkot Chamber, the export earning of the city stand at US $ 1.4(B) annually.

Social Compliance of the Sialkot Chamber:- The Sialkot Chamber of Commerce & Industry has not only made its contribution towards promotion of exports for Pakistan but has also contributed extensively in social sector due to which Sialkot has become a role model for the other cities of developing countries. The Social Projects taken up by the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce & Industry include but not limited to:

Sialkot Dry Port Trust,

Sialkot Seerat Study Centre,

Sialkot Export Processing Zone;

Child Labor Elimination Program;

Universal Primary Education;

Khud Kafalat Rozghar Trust;

Sialkot City Package;

Sialkot International Airport;

Sialkot Tannery Zone;

Sports Industry Development Centre, Sialkot;

Sports Industry Development Trust, Sialkot;

Sialkot Business and Commerce Centre;

Sialkot Transport Company;

Quality Certification Program;

On 30th Years of Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Pakistan Post is issuing a commemorative postage stamp of Rs.8/- denomination on September 26, 2012.

Hong Kong, China - France Joint Issue on Art

Hongkong Post and France are jointly issuing a set of four stamps on art to showcase vintage paintings and contemporary sculptures from Hong Kong and France, reflecting their rich heritage in art.

The two paintings, both works from the 19th century, employ a similar colour scheme with realistic rendering and artists' materials originating from the West, while the two sculptures, created in the 20th century, were both inspired by animals. This marks the 12th joint stamp issue between Hongkong Post and other postal administrations. The stamp issue demonstrates the great passion for art that Hong Kong and France share and showcases the cultural treasures of the two places.

Monthly Universal Post for the month of May 2012 has been printed.

Monthly Universal Post for the month of May 2012 has been printed. This magazine includes philatelic information. You will find here the information regarding new issue of Pakistan and World Wide. If you are interested to purchase this magazine kindly contact Malik Sadiq, Editor Monthly Universal Post. Email:universalpost@hotmail.com

Prevention Of Thalassemia Major In Pakistan. Issue Date:- 08-05-2012.

50th anniversary of State Visit of Their Majesties King Hhumibol Adulyadej & Queen Sirikit of Thailand to Pakistan (1962-2012). Issue Date 05-05-2012.

Celebration Yaum-e-Shuhada as the Honor Heroes of the (Siachen Glacier Mountains) Supreme Sacrifices of Martyrs for the Sovereignty of Pakistan.

Centenary of Government High School No 1, Thana Malakand Division. April 15, 2012.

Centenary of Government High School No.1, Thana Malakand Division Commemorative Postage Stamp April 15, 2012:- Allah, the Most Gracious. It is He Who has taught the Quran. He has created man. He has taught him utterance.

(Surrah Al-Rehman):- Allah, increase me in knowledge, so prayed Moses to Allah as revealed in the Holy Quran and the first word of the first revelation to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) “Read in the name of Allah who created you”.

The Holy Prophet was directed by Allah Almighty to pray for enhancement in knowledge. So knowledge can not but be our Chief and prior concern. Education is important for self development, self fulfillment and for attaining physical, mental, social and emotional stability. Acquiring education does not mean only to gain some prescribed amount of knowledge or develop and enhance skills; it is preparation for better and a happier life.

Upgraded to middle level in 1912, Government High School No.1 was then known as Government Anglo Vernacular Middle School Thana. At that time this historical school was having a total enrolment of one hundred and seven students. Only three teachers were responsible for imparting education to the students. In fact they were fighting against the ignorance as some local Mullahs were actively involved in running campaign against the modern education. The presence of the names of Mr. Wishwant and Mr. Deewan Chand on the honor board of 1940’s clearly indicates that equal rights of studies are being given to both, the Muslims and minorities.

However over the period of time, the people of Thana village and other parts of Malakand Agency after realizing the need and importance of modern education started sending their children to the school. Consequently a large number of students were attracted from Swat, Dir, Bajour, Chitral, Batkhela, Dargai and many other villages. To accommodate all incoming students from the outskirts, a beautiful hostel was constructed in 1916. The people of Thana village voluntarily donated a big piece of land for extension in the school and construction of the hostel. On 7^th June, 1934 the school was upgraded and renamed as Government High School Thana Malakand Agency.

Some area including play grounds, agricultural plot and the area pertaining to the then hostel was later on donated for construction of the Girls Degree College Thana which is also considered as the best contribution of the school.

Keeping in view the recent requirements of students, the school building has been renovated, enabling the management to impart education to the students both in Urdu and English languages. In addition to the compulsory subjects, Agriculture, Commerce, Industrial Arts and Technical Education subjects are also being taught in the school.

Till date, nine principals, eighteen Head masters, Four hundred eighty five teachers and one hundred ten non teaching staff of this historical school have rendered valuable services to the people of Malakand Division. A record number of twenty four thousand eight hundred and seven students have been enrolled and benefited from this school since its inception. A great number of VIPs including Lord Irvin, the then Viceroy of India visited this school on various occasions which clearly speaks of its importance.

Due to its high standard of education, hundreds of ex-students of this school have reached to high ranking positions in the armed forces and civil services of Pakistan which is not only a great honour for the school but also for the whole of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

Being one of the oldest schools in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Government High School No.1 is celebrating its centenary as the school is completing 100 years of triumphant years of service to the people of the KPK province.

While celebrating the centenary of Government High School No.1, the management has announced a number of awards for talented students in the name of the ex-students who have been greatly successful in their respective fields/professions. This will definitely set a good tradition for others to follow.

To commemorate 100^th Anniversary of Government High School No.1 Thana, Malakand Division, Pakistan Post is issuing a commemorative postage stamp of Rs.8/- denomination on April 15, 2012.

50th Anniversary of Asia Pacific Postal Union April 01,2012.

Commemorative Postage Stamp on 50^Th Anniversary of Asian – Pacific Postal Union April 1, 2012:- The Asian Pacific Postal Union (Appu0 is an inter-governmental organization of 33 postal administrations of the Asia-Pacific region. APPU is affiliated to the Universal Postal Union (UPU) which is a specialized agency of the United Nations. The purpose of the APPU is to extend, facilitate and improve postal relations between member countries and to promote cooperation in the field of postal services.

Brief History:- The idea of a restricted union in this part of the world came up first in the late 1950s. In order to give a concrete shape to the idea, after informal discussions, the Philippines government sent through diplomatic channel the invitations to 18 countries for a roundtable in Manila on 10-23 January 1961. Among the countries invited were Afghanistan, Australia, Brunei, Cambodia, China, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam. The roundtable drew up the Asian Oceanic Postal Convention.

The Convention was to come into force on 1 April 1962. On that date, we formed a union among ourselves called “Asian Oceanic Postal Union” which later on was renamed as the actual “Asian-Pacific Postal Union” by the 4^th AOPU Congress held in Yogyakarta in 1981. We then established our headquarters in Manila with Mr. Enrico Palomar, Postmaster General of the Philippines as our first Director. The headquarters was relocated to Bangkok in 2002.

In due course others countries of the Asia-Pacific region joined this regional postal union making it today an inter-governmental body of 33 countries namely ; Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Kiribati, Korea, Lao, Malaysia, Maldives, Mangolia, Myanmar, Nauru, Nepal, New Zealand, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Samoa, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Tonga, Vanuatu and Vietnam.

Organization:- The Congress, the Executive Council and the Bureau are the three organs of the Union. The main functions of these three organs are:

Congress:- The Congress is the supreme organ of the Union and composed of representatives of member countries. The representatives of the member countries of the Union meet in Congress not later than two years after holding of each Universal Postal Congress in order to revise the Acts of the Union, if necessary, and to consider, as necessary, other postal problems of common interest to the member countries.

The APPU Congress were held as follows:

1^st AOPU Congress in Manila, Philippines                                 in 1965

2^nd AOPU Congress in Kyoto, Japan                                        in 1970

3rd AOPU Congress in Melborne, Australia                             in 1975

4th AOPU Congress in Yogyakarta, Indonesia              in 1981

5th AOPU Congress in Bangkok, Thailand                               in 1985

6th AOPU Congress in Rotorua, New Zealand             in 1990

7th AOPU Congress in Singapore                                             in 1995

8th AOPU Congress in Tehran, Iran                                         in 2000

9th AOPU Congress in Seoul, Korea                                        in 2005

10th AOPU Congress in Auckland, New Zealand                     in 2009

Executive Council:- The Executive Council (EC) comprises all the member=countries of the Union with a quorum of the majority. To ensure the continuity of the work of the Union in the intervals between Congresses, the Executive Council meets in principle once each year. The functions of the Executive Council are:

(a)                To perform any duty assigned to it by a Resolution of the Congress;

(b)               To lay down the international postal service rules which shall provide for details necessary for the operation of the international postal service between the member-countries;

(c)                To maintain contacts with postal administration of the member-countries of the Union with a view to improving the postal service;

(d)               To prescribe rules for the administration of the Bureau and to supervise the activities of the Bureau;

(e)                To review and approve the annual budget and accounts of the administrative section prepared by the Bureau in the intervals between Congresses;

(f)                 To make useful contacts with the various organs of the Universal Postal Union, with the Restricted Unions or with other specialized agencies of the United Nations with special interests in the area and, if necessary, to appoint representatives to conference of such organization;

(g)                To conclude agreements on behalf of the Union with the Universal Postal Union and other restricted Unions and international organizations with regard to such matters as technical co-operation with the concurrence of at least two-thirds of the members of the Union. The Council may authorize the Director of the Bureau to execute such agreements;

(h)                To assemble, prior to each Universal Postal Congress, in order to exchange and harmonize their views; and

(i)                  To make necessary steps, with the agreement of the majority of the members of Union, provisionally to carry out such other administrative acts which are not covered by he Acts of the Union and cannot await the next Congress for the settlement.

Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Executive Council;- are elected by the first Executive Council meeting convened immediately after the holding of the Congress at the same venue. In the normal course the chairmanship shall devolve by right on the host country of Congress.

Bureau:- The Bureau, formerly the Central office, serves as a medium of liaison, information, inquiry and training for the member-countries of the Union. The Bureau is composed of the administrative section and the training section. The Bureau is composed of a Director and such other staff as the union may require. The Bureau provides the secretarial for meetings of the union, jointly with the postal administration of the country where each meeting is held. The Bureau is under the general supervision of the Executive Council.

The Bureau provides training facilities and advisory services in the training section to improve postal services within Asia and the Pacific. This training section is administered by a Governing Board, chaired by the head of the host administration of the Bureau (Thailand). The governing Board meets at least once each year in the country where the Executive council will hold its meeting. The training section of the Bureau is known as the Asian Pacific Postal College.

Director of APPU Bureau is chosen, from among qualified postal officials, by the Executive Council or in Congress year by Congress. The tenure of office is fixed by the body which selects the Director.

The Director of APPU Bureau is its legal representative in all functions performed by the Bureau pursuant to the Acts of the Union and the decision of Congress of the Union. The Director represents the Union in the international conferences regarding postal service where representation of the Union is required.

Asian Pacific Postal College:- The Asian Pacific Postal College (APPC), formerly the Asian and Oceanic Postal Training School (AOPTS) and the Asian Pacific Postal Training Centre (APPTC), was established on 10 September 1970 in Bangkok following the recommendation of the first Congress of the Asian Pacific Postal Union (then the Asian and Oceanic Postal Union) held in Manila in 1965.

APPC was established with assistance from UPU and contribution from UNDP in the form of expert/consultant services, fellowships and equipment. The Government of Thailand generously provided the necessary premises for APPC.

APPC represents an outstanding example of international cooperation in the field of postal training. APPC has trained more than 5,000 postal managers from various postal administrations in the Asia-Pacific region and from the African continent.

APPC provides professional training in relevant areas covering international post, quality of service, sales and marketing, postal operations, postal planning and modernization, human resource management, information technology, business management, financial management etc. APPC provides external training programs in various countries. They are tailor-made programs designed to suit the specific needs of requesting administrations.

APPC organizes seminars and workshops by UPU, related organizations and postal administrations.

On 50^th anniversary of Asian-Pacific Postal Union (APPU), Pakistan Post is issuing a Commemorative Postage Stamp of Rs.8/- denomination on April 1, 2012.