Allama Iqbal Commemoration (November 9, 1974)

The format of the stamp is vertical. The main feature of the stamp is the portrait of Dr. Muhammad Iqbal, the great poet and Philosopher, which is printed in Black and Blue colours. In the upper most Ultramarine Blue panel the caption Iqbal Centenary 1977 is printed in Turquoise Blue and in the lower panel the date of birth 9 November, 1877 and the date of death 21 Apr 1938 is printed on the bottom right side. The word Postage and denomination figure \'20-Paisa\' are printed in Black on the bottom left corner in the lower panel. The word Pakistan in Urdu and English are printed on both sides of the portrait.

Pakistan Post Office is issuing a promotional Commemorative Postage Stamp of 20-Paisa on 9^th November, 1974 to announce 1977 as Allama Iqbal Centenary Year.

Iqbal started writing verses in his very school days in Sialkot. He recited his well-known poem Nala-I-Yatim in the annual meeting of Anjuman-e-Himayat-e-Islam which brought his poetical genius into lime light and evoked admiration from all sections of Muslims of the Sub-Continent. On his return from England, Iqbal wrote epoch making Shikwa, Jawab-i-Shikwa, Shama aur Sha\'ir, Asar and Ramuz. But these indicate that the genius in Iqbal had not yet passed through formative period and lacked maturity of latter master pieces like the Javid Nama. In 1921 appeared Khidr-i-Rah and in 1922 Tulu-i-mashriq. After the publication of these poems appeared Piyam-i-Mashriq which was followed by Ban-e-Dira and then later on by Zabur-i-Ajam. The latter was followed by Javid Nama which can be truly regarded as Iqbal\'s Magnum Opus. In 1935 appeared Bal-i-Jibril and in 1936 another collection Zarb-i-Kalim was published. 134 a Persian poem Musafir and 1036 Pas-Che-Bayed kard was published. The final collection of his poem known as Armughan-i-Hejaz appeared after his death.

DR. MUHAMMAD IQBAL'S ROLE IN PAKISTAN MOVEMENT

Thinker, poet and philosopher Dr. Muhammad Iqbal was a visionary who saw the establishment of Pakistan as a step not only toward the sovereignty and independence of nation of eighty million people, but also as part of a concerted move for the emancipation of Muslims all over the world. He was the first to give a concrete shape to the Muslim aspirations in India for a separate homeland, and defined its geographical boundaries as clearly and unambiguously as it could be possible, far back in the year 1930. In his presidential address at the Annual sessions of the All India Muslim League, at Allahabad, he boldly asserted the Muslim demand for the creation of a Muslim India within India, and said, I would like to see the Punjab, the North-West Frontier Province, Sind and Baluchistan amalgamated into a single State.

The unites of Indian society are not territorial as in European countries, he asserted and pointed out that the Muslim demand \'is actuated by a genuine desire for free development which is practically impossible under the type of unitary Government contemplated by the nationalist Hindu politicians with a view of securing permanent communal dominance in the whole on India\'. \'The formation of a consolidated North-West Indian Muslim State\', he added, \'appears to be the final destiny of the Muslims, at least of North-West India.\'

Iqbal held firm belief that the Indian Muslim is entitled to full and free development on the lines of his own culture and tradition in his own Indian homeland. But this right could not be exercised in a unified India as he made it clear in one of his letters to Quaid-e-Azam. He wrote the enforcement and development of the Shariat of Islam is impossible in this country without a free Muslim state or states. This realisation inevitably let to another one, The life of Islam as a cultural force in this country very largely depends on its centralization, in a specified territory.

It was Iqbal\'s fervent appeal which persuaded the Quaid-e-Azam in 1034 to return to politics, and it as in his letters to the Quaid-e-Azam during the last years of his life in 1936 and 1037, that he elaborated his scheme in its political as well as cultural context. He succeeded in convincing the Quaid-e-Azam that Pakistan was the only solution to the political problem of the Muslims of India, and it was on the foundation laid by Iqbal that the Muslim League\'s historic Pakistan Resolution of 1940 was based.

Thus Iqbal gave the blueprint for Pakistan. But the role he played in promoting an intellectual revolution among Muslims of the Indo-Pakistan sub-continent is even more important. He was a profound thinker who believed in dynamism, and throughout his poetry and prose he placed the greatest emphasis on action, interpreting it as movement. His philosophy found poetical expression in its maturest form in Israr-e-Khudi (Secrets of the Self) and Ramooz-e-Bekhudi) Mysteries of Selflessness or Non-Ego).

Allama Dr. Sir Muhammad Iqbal was born in Sialkot on 9^th November, 1877. In his early age, he was greatly influenced by his father Sheikh Noor Mohammad who was a very pious man. He received his early education under the guidance of Shamsul Ullama Mir Hasan who was great oriental scholar of his time. He passed his Middle and High School examination with distinction and was awarded scholarships in both the examinations. After clearing Intermediate examination he joined Government College, Lahore, were he as a student of Professor Arnold, a great literary figure of his time. He stood fist in B.A. examination with distinction in Arabic and English and obtained a Gold Medal in M.A. Soon he as appointed as Professor of Philosophy in Oriental College, Lahore, After some time he went over to Government College, Lahore. He went to England in 1095 and joined Cambridge University as a student of Philosophy. He was awarded the degree of Ph.D. by the Munich University (Germany) on this thesis entitled Mabaadul Tibyyat. He as walled to the Bar at Lincoln’s Inn, London and was appointed as Professor of Arabic at London University. He returned home in 1908 and again joined service in Government College, Lahore. After some time he resigned his job and started law practice. He was elected member Punjab Legislative Assembly in 1926 for 3 years. In 1930 Dr. Iqbal was elected President of the Muslim League session held at Allahabad. In 1931 and 1932 he attended the Round Table Conference which met in London to frame a Constitution for India and took an active part in its various Committees.

Iqbal developed kidney trouble in 1927, which was cured by Hakim Abdul Wahab and he kept good heath till 1934. In 1934, he developed heart trouble accompanied by loss of voice. His illness took a serious turn on 25^th March, 1938 and he breathed his last in the early hours of 21^st April, 1938. Half an hour before his death, he recited the following verses:

The last word Iqbal uttered as \'Allah\'. He lived in God and died in God.

Death Anniversary of Liaquat Ali Khan (October 16, 1974)

Stamp is vertical in format. In an upright rectangle at the top right corner of the stamp - appears the portrait of Liaquat Ali Khan in black colour against dark red background. Urdu calligraphy for the lettering “Liaquat Ali Khan” ‘Prime Minister’ ‘14th August, 1947-l6th October, 1951’ appears below the portrait in red colour. The denomination figure ‘20-Paisa’ appears in black in the left corner at the bottom with the word ‘Postage’ above along side the left edge of the stamp. ‘Pakistan’ both in English and Urdu appears along side the top left edge of the stamp in black colour.
On 16th October, 1974 Pakistan Post Office is issuing a commemorative postage stamp of 20-Paisa denomination on Mr. Liaquat Ali Khan the first Prime Minister of Pakistan. Mr. Liaquat Ali Khan the 2nd son of late Ruknuddaulla Shamsher Jang Nawab Bahadur Rustam Ali Khan, was born at Karnal (Punjab) on 1st October, 1895. The ancestors of Liaquat Ali Khan claim their descent from Nausherwan the just, and migrated from Iran to India in 15th Century AD The Mughals conferred on his ances-tors the mansab of Punjhazari and granted them jagirs in the Punjab and United Provinces.
Mr. Liaquat Ali Khan graduated from Muslim University, Aligarh in 1919 and took his Master’s degree from Exeter College at Oxford in 1921. During his stay at Oxford he took active part in political debates and was appointed Treasurer of the Indian Maj1is. On return to India he did LL.B. with honours from the University of the Punjab and was called to the bar in 1922. He joined the All India Muslim League in 1923. He was elected to the U.P. Legislative Council in 1926. Being an excellent orator and parliamentarian he became Deputy President of U.P. Legislative Council in 1931 and continued to be a member of the House for 14 years. In recognition of his selfless devotion to the Muslim League he was elected as General Secretary of All India Muslim League in 1936. He was also convener of committee of action and Chairman of the Parliamentary Board of the Muslim League. He was elected to the Central Legislative Assembly in 1943 and re-elected as Honorary General Secretary of All India Muslim League in 1943 He was invited to participate in Simla Conference in 1945 and 1946. Mr. Liaquat Ali Khan was appointed as Finance Minister in the Interim Govern-ment as a nominee of the All India Muslim League.
On 14th August 1947 he was installed by the Quaid-e-Azam as the 1st Prime Minister and Defence Minister of Pakistan. He continued to head the Cabinet of Ministers till his death. He also became the President of Pakistan Muslim League on October 8, 1950. The most outstanding events of his tenure of office as Prime Minister of Pakistan were:
1) On March 7, 1948 he presented in the Consti-tuent Assembly the Objectives Resolution which contained the Fundamental Principles of Future Constitution of Pakistan. 2) Liaquat-Nehru Pact on minorities was concluded in April, 1950; and He visited America in 1950.
Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan took up the task of consolidating Pakistan where the Quaid had left. He exhorted his countrymen to keep alive the memory of the Quaid by following the principles he had laid down for them to have faith, to live in unity and work with discipline. Mr. Liaquat Ali Khan worked hard for the country’s progress and prosperity. He paid special attention to the problems of education, and laid the foundation of industrial development. Mr. Liaquat Ali Khan 1st Prime Minister of Pakistan’s 1st Constituent Assembly of Pakistan in Karachi with Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, Father of the Nation extreme right. But the paramount need, at that time, was Pakistan’s defence and security. The way India was behaving was most disturbing, and its attitude towards Pakistan was threatening. Very much alive to the situation, Mr. Liaquat Ali Khan mobilized all possible resources to build up the Armed Forces. He was assassinated in a public meeting at Rawal-pindi on October 16, 1951.

Centenary of Universal Postal Union (UPU) (October 9, 1974)

20-PAISA STAMP: The stamp is vertical in format. The emblem of “Universal Postal Union” appears in reverse form against a dark Ultra Marine colour sky fading away near the centre of the stamp. A few stars are shown around the emblem in pale colour. Denomination figure ‘20-Paisa’ appears in the top left corner and the word ‘Postage’ in small letters in the top right corner, both in yellow colour.
A typical scroll representing “Movement and flow” appears at the bottom of the stamp in yellow, blue and green colours, the left portion of which rises upwards to up-hold the emblem. In the white space in between the scroll and the fading sky at right appears the wording “Union Postale Universelle” with the year ‘1874’ and ‘1974’ in red colour. “Pakistan” in English and Urdu appears in left and right bottom corners of the stamp in red colour. Rs. 2.25 STAMP: Stamp is vertical in format. The emblem of “Universal Postal Union” is featured in the centre of the stamp. The globe appears in blue and brown colours with the human figures around it iii black colour. The upper half portion of the stamp is blue representing sky which fades away to-ward the centre and the lower half portion is yel-low colour representing land. The wording “Union Postale Universelle” appears at the top of the stamp in reverse form and below it a modern jet plane is shown in flight in blue and black colours.
An old fashioned horse-drawn Mail wagon in red colour is shown at the bottom of stamp. ‘Pakistan’ in English and Urdu appears in red colour both at the left and right side of the emblem, while the years ‘1874’ and ‘1974’ in Mauve colour appear on either side of the Aeroplane. The denomi-nation ‘Rs. 2.25’ appears in the bottom left corner of the stamp in black while the word ‘Postage’ in small letters ap-pears in the bottom right corner in red colour.
Rs. 2.45 SOUVENIR SHEET: Souvenir is a yellow colour square sheet inside which appears a thick outline of Red colour square enclosing the two stamps, the UPU emblem and the caption. The two stamps appear in Grey colour outline in the top right side of the square, while the wording “Union Postale Universelle” and the years ‘1874’ and ‘1974’ in the bottom right corner of the square in greenish colour.
On October 9, 1974 the world celebrates the centenary of the Universal Postal Union, an organisation comparatively little known but which has through the 100 years of its existence provided the most universal link among free mankind by the establishment of the exchange of international letter mail.
Whereas there are many obstacles in the way of a man moving from one country to another, there are no frontiers for the post. A letter must reach the addressee regardless of his social status, political views, religion or race. The world postal service is part of the daily life of people everywhere. Its proper running is essential to society and, still more, to the life of the international community. Although the Universal Postal Union is one of the oldest inter-governmental organizations in exist-ence, yet it is not widely known to the public at large Without going back to the origin of the post in remote antiquity and still less dwelling on its embryonic state in the Middle Ages, it may nevertheless be pointed out that the dispatch of letters then depended on the messenger services of royal households, univer-sities and major religious orders. Not until the 16th century was an international postal service worthy of the name set up.
However in 1863, on the initiative of Montgomery Blair, Postmaster General of the United States of America,’ a confer-ence was held in Paris. This conference, which was attended by delegates from fifteen European and American countries, estab-lished the general principles recommended to Administrations as a basis for their mutual agreements. Eleven years later another conference was held which was attended by representatives from twenty-two States. An agreement was quickly reached and on 9 October a Treaty concerning the Establishment of a General Postal Union—commonly known as the Berne Treaty—was signed. This was the forerunner of the multilateral Convention governing the international postal service. The Convention came into force on 1 July, 1875. In 1878, the General Postal Union became the Universal Postal Union (UPU).
The main objects of the Union are: to form a single postal territory for the reciprocal exchange of letter-post items; to ensure the organization and improvement of the various postal services; to promote in this sphere the development of internatonal collaboration; and to participate in technical assistance in the postal field with a view to developing and modernizing the Postal Services.
The Universal Postal Congress is the supreme legislative authority of the Union. It consists of representatives of all mem-ber countries and is convened every five years. Its main function is to study and revise the acts of the Union on the basis of proposals put forward by member countries, the Executive Council or the Consultative Council for Postal Studies. The Executive Council (EC), composed of 40 members of whom 39 are elected by the Congress, meets each year at UPU headquarters. It ensures the continuity of the Union’s work between the Congresses, supervises the activities of the International Bureau, undertakes studies, draws up proposals, and makes recommendations to Congress. It is responsible for encouraging, supervising and coordinating international cooperation in the form of postal technical assistance and vocational training.
The Consultative Council for Postal Studies (CCPS), composed of 35 members elected by the Congress. meets annually at UPU headquarters. It is responsible for organizing studies on major problems affecting postal administration of member countries, in the technical, operational and economic fields and in the sphere of technical cooperation. The CCPS also provides information and opinions on these matters, and exam ines training needs of the developing countries.
The International Bureau provides secretarial services for UPU bodies and promotes technical assistance. Established at Berne, it is responsible for the coordination, publication and dissemination of all manner of information about the inter-national postal services. At the request of the parties concerned, it gives opinion on disputes. It considers requests for amendments to the acts of the Union, gives notice of changes adopted and takes part in the preparation of the work of Congress.
The establishment of the Union has made it possible to standardize the international postage rates of various postal items. The volume of air mail has grown enormously with the rapid development of civil aviation. Distances no longer count, for mail is flown from one continent to another with great speed. By allowing free postage for items concerning prisoners of war and civilian internees, as well as for literature for the blind, and by conveying periodicals at considerably reduced rate, the Union has transformed its humanitarian aims into reality. Technical assistance is provided from three sources Multilateral aid accorded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the UPU Special Fund raised from voluntary contributions from member countries and direct bilateral technical assistance between postal administrations.
The expenses of the U.P.U. are borne jointly by all the member countries, which for this purpose are divided into 8 categories, paying between one and fifty units. The total budget of the UPU during 1973 was 85,05,840 Swiss Francs and Pakistan being a first class member contributed 2,13,500 Swiss Francs.
Throughout her association with UPU, Pakistan has play-ed an active role in the affairs of the Union and has taken every opportunity to highlight the problems of new and developing nations before the World body. In her work on the many import-ant Committees and Sub-Committees, she has made a substantial contribution in finding solution to the problems of Postal Ser-vice, which has drawn high praise from members of the Union.
Pakistan was admitted as a first class member of the UPU in 1947. It has participated in all the five Postal Congresses since then i.e. Brussels (1952), Ottawa (1957), Vienna (1964)~ Tokyo (1969) and Lausanne (1974). At the Congress of Brussels in 1952 Pakistan was elected as a member of the Executive Council. She served as a member of the Executive Council for 12 years, having been re-elected at the Ottawa Congress. At the 1964 Vienna Congress it was not eligible for re2election after being in the Executive Council for two successive terms. How-ever, it was re-elected to the Executive Council again in 1969 at Tokyo and re-elected in 1974 at Lausanne. Pakistan was also elected as a member of the C.C.P.S. in 1964 and has been on this body ever since. It was elected as a Vice-Chairman of the C.C.P.S. in Vienna Congress in 1964 and continued in this capacity till 1974.
The successive election of Pakistan to the Executive Council and the C.C.P.S. is a tribute to its outstanding contribution in this field of International Cooperation and bears eloquent testimony to the continued condense reposed in it by the members of the Union.
Ever since its inception the Union has been wholly devoted to the task assigned to it by the founders and has done still better, for despite its age, it has managed to maintain the youth and vigour needed to adjust to new technical requirements. Even in the critical days of the two world wars, its stability was evident. By constant efforts and intensifying international collaboration, the Union is contributing to bringing men and nations closer together.

Universal Children Day (October 7, 1974)

The stamp is horizontal in format. A keen young boy is shown sitting by the desk holding an open book with his left hand and a pen in his right hand. The boy is wearing a blue shirt and mauve colour jersey. In the blue background are shown silhouetted form of Graduates on either side of the stamp holding degrees in their hands.
The slogan “A Future for Every Child” appears at the top of the stamp in mauve colour. The denomination ‘20-P’ appears in mauve colour on the left side of the stamp just over the right edge of the desk. The word ‘postage’ in small letters appears in mauve along side the lower right edge of the stamp. ‘Pakistan’ in English and Urdu appears in reverse in the black strip at the bottom of the stamp.
A FUTURE FOR EVERY CHILD
Every year ‘‘Universal Children Day is celebrated throughout the world on the first Monday of October. A worldwide “Children Day” was originally proposed in 1952 by the International Union for Child Welfare (IUCW) and was celebrated for the first time internationally in October, 1953; 40 countries participated. When the United Nations General Assembly passed a formal Resolution establishing ‘Universal Children Day’ in 1954, it assigned to UNICEF the responsibility for promoting this annual “day of worldwide fraternity and understanding among children”. The number of countries and territories in which the Day is observed now has risen from 40 in 1953 to more than 100.
The universality of children is the permanent underlying theme. In addition, each year a special theme is chosen to stress one important aspect of children’s lives. This year the special theme is “A FUTURE FOR EVERY CHILD”.
The current year has been designated as “World Population Year” by the United Nations and a year-long effort is being made by many organizations to alert people everywhere to the importance of facing and solving population problems.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is inevitably concerned wits these problems. because too-rapid population growth places too-great stresses on maternal and child health and on the medical, educational and social welfare ser-vices that are needed to protect and pre-pare children. UNICEF’s special focus is always on the needs of the individual child, so its slogan for World Population Year is “A Future for Every Child”.
UNICEF’s work has expanded how-ever, during the past two decades, into many other fields: health services, nutrition, education, vocational training, social wel-fare, environmental sanitation. community development and national planning, although it is still efficiently active in res-ponse to emergencies which threaten the health and lives of children. UNICEF is today no longer simply a humanitarian relief fund. It is primarily a developmental organization working with governments to help them establish long-range national policies to protect and prepare children and to develop young human resources.
WHAT POINT IS THERE IN INCREASING THE CHANCES OF A CHILD’S SURVIVAL IN A CROWDED WORLD?
UNICEF believes that once a child is born ever)’thing must be done to ensure his chance to live, to be healthy and to be educated and trained for his future as a responsible adult. It is in the interest of society in all parts of the world to improve the quality of its human capital and ensure that the child of today can become an active participant in tomorrow’s world. It’ a child is sick, suffering from malnutrition and condemned to ignorance, he cannot do this, and if he does survive to manhood, be will be a burden to society rather than an asset.
UNICEF recognizes that the health and welfare of children and the family are profoundly influenced by the size of the faculty and the spacing of births. When requested to do so by a government, the Fund assists family planning as part of maternal and child health services. UNICEF aid for other services, which help raise the status of women (education and training of women, social welfare, community development, home economics extension, etc. help increase motivation for responsible parenthood.
Children represent the most valuable asset of parents, particularly as they look forward to their declining years. If parents can be convinced that their children will be healthy and survive to adulthood, they are likely to have smaller families.
LEST WE FOREGET: CHILDREN’S RIGHTS ARE STILL NEGLECTED
Last year was designated by the United Nations as “Human Rights Year”, and the current year is “World Population Year.
Unfortunately, the fact that a given year is chosen to acquaint the public with a particular social problem does not mean that the problem disappears by the end of that year. Social problems arc inextricably interrelated and their roots are far too deep to be pulled up in 365 days. It would therefore be too bad if, when the year ends, everyone dismissed the old problem to turn the next one.
This past year was also the 14th anniversary of the unanimous passage by the United Nations General Assembly of the “Declaration of the Rights of the Child”, yet there are still many parts of the world where the inborn right of all children to receive the health care, education and protection from social injustices which they need, exists in theory only.

Shahra-e-Pakistan Commemoration (September 23, 1974)

The stamp is horizontal in format. The highway or Shahrah-e-Pakistan is shown running across the stamp. In the background is shown the map of Pakistan in green colour along with the map of Kashmir in light green colour. Gilgit Agency is shown distinctly by a doted red line, while Kashmir portion bears the inscription of “disputed area” in red. The route of the Highway is indicated by a thick black line connecting the major cities represented by red dots with the names of the cities.
During the 16th century, Sher Shah Suri in his short rule of the South Asian subcontinent made an earnest effort to build roads. Of his four great roads, one ran from Sonargaon in Bengal to Kabul via Agra, Delhi, Lahore and Peshawar and also joined Lahore with Multan. The por-tion of ‘Pakistan Highway’ from Torkham to Lahore runs on the exact alignment of the road built by Sher Shah Sun.
Pakistan highway is one of the oldest highways in the world and one who travels on the highway from Torkham to Karachi and thence to Quetta gains an unparalleled view of Pakistan, of its proud heritage, its glorious history, culture and traditions.
The highway starts at the Pakistan-Afghanistan border at Torkham and passes through the historic Khyber Pass into the plains of the South Asian sub-continent. Coming out of Khyber Pass, the highway enters Peshawar Valley. Peshawar is a great historical city and a true metropolis of the Orient. The highway crosses the Indus river at Attock and enters the plains of the Punjab. It passes by the city of Taxila which is known the world over as an ancient city of carved stones. Taxila is world famous for the rare specimens of Ghandhara sculpture. Coming out of Margalla hills the highway passes through Rawalpindi and is connected through bypass with the Federal Capital of Pakistan—Islamabad, which is fast develop-ing into a most modern city.
On its southerly course it touches Lahore, ‘the City of Gardens’ and the Capital of the Punjab. Lahore is also an ancient city rich in historical monuments including some of the finest specimens of Muslim architecture namely the Badshahi Mosque, Shalimar Garden, Jahangir’s Mausoleum, the Royal Fort with its fabulous ‘hail of mirrors’. It is undoubtedly the ~ cultural capital of Pakistan. The highway then passes by the city of Multan which is another ancient city.
It enters the valley of Sind—the land of Shah Abdul Latif, the great Poet and Sufi saint who spread the light of Islam in the area. Hyderabad the last major city before Karachi on the highway has a num-ber of historical ruins and monuments. The Kotri Barrage across the River Indus is a feat of modern engineering. The southward course of the highway ends at Karachi. Once the federal capital, Karachi is the main centre of business, commerce and ~ industry and is the largest city of Pakistan with a population of over 3.6 millions. Karachi harbour is one of the finest in the South Asian Sub-continent and its waters offer excellent fishing prospects. Tourist attractions include mausoleum of the founder Of Pakistan, zoological gardens and fine beaches.
From Karachi the highway takes a northerly turn and passes through most difficult but picturesque terrain. The area is rich in mineral wealth, which has so far remained unexplored. The highway in this section is being improved and reconstruct-ed. When finished, this would bring real prosperity to the area.
The Highway terminates at Quetta, which is situated at 5,490 feet above sea level. The section between Karachi and Quetta will ultimately form part of the R.C.D. highway. Quetta is the first major city nearest to the Iranian border, and has thus assumed a central place in the economic and cultural ties between the members of the R.C.D. countries.
The present Government attaches great importance to this highway and its improvement to international standards, is already in hand. The portion from Karachi to Hyderabad has already been completed, and put into commission. Plans for improvement and reconstruction of the rest of the highway are in various stages of preparation, design and implementation. Once completed it would greatly facilitate the movement of people and goods throughout the length and breadth of the country and provide the much needed mobility so vital for the economic and social development.

Namibia Day (August 26, 1974)

The stamp is vertical in format. The map of the continent of Africa showing boundaries of Namibia in Yellow colour appears in the background. On the map a hand holding up a torch of freedom is shown in Red, Yellow and Brown colours symbolising the struggle for freedom.
The General Assembly in its 28th ses-sion adopted a resolution by which it decided to commemorate the 26th of August each year as Namibia Day. Pakistan is an active member of the UN Council for Namibia, which also happens to be the sole de-jure administering authority of Namibia. It has therefore, become incumbent upon Pakistan to contribute as much as possible towards the struggle in Namibia and to explore ways and means of projecting the Namibian Liberation Movement before the world. Pakistan Post Office has accordingly brought out a 60-Paisa Commemorative Postage Stamp to highlight the occasion.
2.Namibia lies along the South Atlantic Ocean and borders on South Africa, the Portuguese-administered Territory of Angola, Zambia and Botswana. Its area of 318,261 square miles can be divided into three regions: the Namibia, the Central Plateau and the Kalahari. The Namibia an arid and desolate region, is a coastal belt from 40 to’ 80 miles wide. The Central Plateau covers slightly more than half of the territory’s land area. The Kalahari, composed of level monotonous plains cover-ed with sand dunes and with virtually no surface water, is in the northern and eastern parts of Namibia. Namibia has a popula-tion of 746,328 of which 90,658 are European settlers of German and South African origin. The Africans constitute more than 80% of Namibia’s population.
3 The UN Charter provided for a trusteeship system to deal with the question of mandated and other non-self-governing territories. The Charter set up a Trusteeship Council to work with the administering powers in bringing about the independence of all non-self-governing territories. The Union of South Africa, however, re-fused to submit its mandated territory to trusteeship.
4. However the issue of South-West Africa continued to occupy the attention of the General Assembly, which called for further advisory, opinions, in 1955 and 1956, but was unable to make much prog-ress in the case of South Africa’s recalcit-rance. In 1960, a case was brought in the International Court of Justice against South Africa in which judgement was sought to the effect that South Africa had violated the 1920 mandate by introducing the policy of apartheid. In 1960, however, unexpectedly the Court announced that it had no power to render a decision, thus dismissing the case without ruling on its merits. The General Assembly by its reso-lution 2145 (XXI) of 27 October 1966 terminated the Mandate of the Republic of South Africa over South West Africa and assumed direct responsibility for the administration of the territory until its independence. The Assembly declared that South Africa had hence forth no right to administer the territory and called upon it to refrain and desist from any actionpolitical, constitutional or administrative that would in any manner alter the international status of the territory.
5. On the request of 45 African—Asian States including Pakistan and Yugoslavia, a meeting of the Security Council was held on 20th March, 1969 to consider the deteri-orating situation in Namibia resulting from the policies of the Government of South Africa in contravention of various General Assembly and Security Council resolutions. A resolution E264 (1969) J was adopted by which the Council called upon South Africa to withdraw its administra-tion immediately from Namibia. It invited all states to exert their influence to obtain such a withdrawal.
6.South Africa rejected the above reso-lution of the Security Council. Thereupon the Council adopted another resolution (269(1969)) by which it, inter alia, reaffirm-ed its resolution 264 (1969) and condemned the Government of South Africa for its refusal to comply with that resolution and called upon the Government of South-Africa to withdraw its administration from the territory immediately and in any case before 4 October, 1969 and decided that in the event of failure on the part of the South African Government to comply with this provision, the Council would meet immediately to decide upon effective mea-sures in accordance with the appropriate provisions of the relevant Chapters of the United Nations Charter. 7.At the twenty-eighth session, the General Assembly adopted resolution 3111 (XXVIII), with Pakistan voting in favour, by which it designated the UN Council for Namibia, as the legal authority for Namibia to participate fully on behalf of Namibia and to render, within their spheres of competence, all possible assistance to the Namibian people and their liberation movement. The Assembly also allocated to the United Nations Fund for Namibia a sum of 100,000 dollars from the regular budget of the UN for 1974 and appointed the United Nations Council for Namibia as trustee of the Fund and invited all member States to transmit or present their views on the orientation of the Fund to the Council. Further more, the General Assembly ap-proved the proposal of the Secretary General to appoint Mr. Sean MacBride, former Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ireland, as UN Commissioner for Namibia for an initial period of one year.
8. Instead of complying with the repeated calls to end its illegal occupation of Namibia the South African Government has tightened it stranglehold on the terri-tory depriving its people of their wealth and their rights and ability to develop into a free, self-supporting nation. It has built up its own military strength within the country and has adopted measures which have led to all but official annexation of the territory.
9. The degree of technical refinement to which the application of apartheid has been brought in Namibia has earned South Africa the dubious place as the leader of racist regimes. An abundance of evidence has made it all too clear that the existence and lives of native African’s within the system of apartheid serves no other purpose than to further economic advantage of the white minority. Thus the African has come to be re-garded as little more than a commodity to be exploited. This is a far cry from the right “to life, liberty and security” which the Universal Declaration of Human Rights seeks to uphold. If a tragedy is to be avoided in Namibia, it will only be as the result of an effort by deeds more than words of the community of nations together and in the individual capacity to free the Namibian people from the yoke of South African rule. To fail in Namibia now, and ultimately in South Africa itself, is to be accessory to the crimes committed there and to share in what has already become a blot on civilization.

National Day of Tree Plantation (August 9, 1974)

The stamp is vertical in format. Two hands protecting a sapling have been shown in the fore ground against blue sky and green trees in the background. The caption in Urdu which means ‘Tree is national ‘wealth’ appears at the top.
It has been decided to observe 9th August, 1974 as a ‘National Day’ for Tree Plantation through out the Country. To mark this important occasion Pakistan Post Office has brought out a Commemorative Postage Stamp of 20-Paisa denomination. The forests play a very important role in the economy of a country. Trees provide timber for constructional purpose and wood for fuel. They also provide pulp wood for producing paper and other minor pro-ducts like resin which is used as raw material for rosin and turpentine. Besides forests influence control of floods, soil erosion and amelioration of climate They also provide aesthetic beauty to the country side. The total area of Pakistan is about 198.6 million acres out of which forest lands, including linear plantations cover merely 8.9 million acres or 4.5% of the total land surface. Compared to this, developed countries of the world, viz Finland, Japan and U.S.A. have 73o~, 63%, 34% respectively of their areas under forests. It has been estimated that for a balanced economy at least about 20 to 25% area of a country should be covered by trees.
Our present timber production from forests, including farm lands, is estimated at 40.8 million cft. which is much less than our annual domestic requirements of 50 million en. Hence Pakistan has to import 9.2 million cft. of timber. The consumption of 50 million cft. of timber per annum is one of the lowest per capita figures of wood consumption. Similarly the annual paper consumption estimated in 1959, was 0.9 kg. per capita for Pakistan, compared to 198.7 k g. in U.S A. With the rapid increase in population, growing industrialization, and constant rise in living standard, the need for timber and other forest products in the country is likely to become more acute from year to year unless effective steps to increase the forest wealth are taken.
Realising the importance of forest conservation and increased tree planting in the national economy, the Peoples Government headed by its most dynamic leader, immediately after assuming office formed a Na-tional Forestry Committee composed of public representatives and public servants of the Forest Service for making concrete recommendations to improve the perfor-mance of forestry and forest industries in the country. Special Sub-Committees on range management, farm forestry, forest legislation, plantation and forest publicity were also constituted. The reports prepared by these Sub-Committees are being implemented. Taking tree growth as a sign of “national progress, beauty of the country side and happiness of its society” the Government have issued a number of directives to ensure increased planting of all available lands.
In order to make up for the timber shortage, 14 million saplings were planted on Government and private lands in the Punjab by the Forest Department during 1973-74. A Farm Forestry Bill, requiring every land owner to plant 5 trees per acre of his holdings, has been passed by the Provincial Legislature and is being implemented. During the same year, the Province of Sind planted 8.8 million saplings, N.W.F.P. 3.7 millions, Baluchistan 0.2 mil-lion, Azad Kashmir 2.2 millions, Northern Areas 0.2 million and C.D.A. half a million plants.
To make the country side beautiful, 1500 cherry blossom saplings and 200 budded cuttings of the same specie were imported and planted locally. 300 jacaranda saplings, 200 cuttings of red willow, 500 plants of palm trees and 600 maple saplings were obtained end distributed for planting on suitable sites. For increased planting, Government have decided to undertake a gigantic programme. A massive plan for the planting of fruit trees, like apples, apricots, peaches etc. is being launched by giving their saplings at nominal rates. All areas with the Forest Departments and compounds of Government buildings including universities, municipalities, district councils, colleges, hospitals, schools, rest houses and residences are to be planted with suitable trees within the next 2 to 3 years. Linear plantations are also to be undertaken on top priority basis with a view to covering road-side, canal side and railway side. A comprehensive plan for undertaking coastal plantation is also being taken in hand along with the unculturable waste lands in riverine areas, to meet the ever increasing needs of fuel wood. To provide the much needed shade and shelter, village proprietary bodies are being approached to plant trees around the villages.
In Pakistan, planting is carried twice a year, once in spring and the other in au-tumn. The spring planting is mostly confined to the Northern Areas, while autumn planting is carried out almost through out the country. Government have therefore decided to declare August 9 as a ‘National Day for Tree Planting.’ A comprehensive plan to plant more and more trees through the length and breadth of the country has been chalked-out for the day. The Horticulture Directorate, C.D.A., Islamabad and Provincial Forest Departments will make necessary planting arrangements. Where necessary, fruit trees will be supplied by the respective Agriculture Departments. The saplings of suitable species, required by the tree lovers, will be given free or at nominal rates from Government nurseries located through out the country. They will also be given free technical advice by the Forest and Agriculture Departments of the provinces.

10th Anniversary of R.C.D. (July 21, 1974)

Stamps are horizontal in format. Selected Carpet of each country is displayed in the rectangular space at the right side of the stamp, leaving margins at the bottom and left hand sides. The words ‘Pakistan’ in Urdu and English appear in the bottom at the right side, while the letters “R.C.D.” in bold pink appear on the left hand strip in the centre with the words ‘10th Anniversary’ along the left extremity of the stamp. The 20-Paisa denomination stamp displays a Pakistani Carpet while 60-Paisa and Rs.1.25 denominations depict Irani and Turkish carpets respectively. The name of country appear along the lower left edge of the carpet.
To mark the 10th Anniversary of the establishment of the Regional Co-operation for Development, Pakistan along with the other two member countries, is issuing a set of three Commemorative Postage Stamps of 20 Paisa, 60 Paisa and Rs. 1.25 denominations on 21-74974. The subject chosen for this year is “Selected Carpets” of the three countries. The following is the brief description of the subject of each stamps: PAKISTAN
The format depicts a classical example of Persian design carpet made in Lahore, which is called “Kashan” design in Iran and “Chand Chauthai” in Pakistan. Its density is 200 knots per square inch and is made of locally spun carpet wool - yarn produced in Pakistan and dyed fast with chrome dyes. The size of the carpet is 6 feet (182.88 cm) by 4 feet (121.92 cm).
IRAN
The design depicted is of Medallion and Arabesque carpet, enriched with metal thread. It is of late 16th century collection of Ali Ibrahim Pasha, at Tabrez, Iran. Length 7 ft. 5 in. (228 cm..) Width 5 ft. 6 in. (167 cm.)
TURKEY
The stamp depicts an Anatolian carpet of 15th century having a dragon motif, from the collection of Yusuf Durul. The size or the carpet which is placed in Islamic Works Museum Istanbul is 84 cm by 53 cm. The original carpet has Gordes knots. There are 900 knots (30 knots vertical and 30 knots horizontal) in a space of 10 square centimeters. The warps are double twisted white yarn and the wefts are twisted pink yarn. Double warps have been used after each knot line.
Regional Cooperation for Development stands for close socio-economics and cultural collaboration between Iran, Pakistan and Turkey based upon considerations of geographical contiguity and common heritage of history and culture. Ever since its creation, ten years ago, RCD has been called upon to play a comprehensive and expanding role in promoting closer co-operation amongst the people of the region. Over the years it has been able to stimulate to a certain extent concrete action in the fields of industry and trade, insurance and banking, transport and communica-tions and technical and cultural co-operation. During the past few years, fairly satisfactory progress has been achieved in the fields of Insurance, Shipping Ser-vices and Multilateral Payments Arrangements. The Iranian Aluminum Company, a joint purpose industrial enterprise with equity participation, went into full produc-tion last year and was formally commissioned by His Imperial Majesty the Shahinshah Aryamehr in September, 1972. The other two such projects, viz., the RCD Ball Bearings Ltd., and the Security Papers Ltd., both located in Pakistan, are already in operation. There are many other joint purpose enterprises in member countries which operate on the basis of off-take guarantee agreements.
Communication system of the member countries is being gradually inter-linked. The railway link between Iran and Turkey is already functioning, whereas RCD Highway connecting Ankara and Islamabad as well as the RCD region to Europe is almost complete.
The area of Technical Co-operation offers great promise for fostering closer friendship and better understanding by providing to the peoples of the region, scholarships and fellowships in various fields, and programmes under this item of co-operation have been satisfactory.
R.C.D.’s field of activity is covered by the six commit-tees, namely : (i) Committee on Industries and Standardization, (ii) Committee on Petroleum and Petrochemicals, (iii) Committee on Trade, (iv) Committee on Transport and Communications, (v)Committee on Technical co-opera-tion and Public Administration, and (vi) Committee on Social Affairs. All Committees are empowered to set up sub-committees, experts Groups or Study Groups to meet separately and study specific questions. Committee meet-ings are held by rotation in each member country.
In order to promote cultural co-operation, the R.C.D. Cultural Institute with Headquarters at Tehran and bran-ches at Islamabad and Istanbul, carries out systematic research on the cultural heritage of the three member countries besides undertaking studies and write-ups reflect-ing the traditional common bondage between the peoples of the region. The Institute is engaged in publishing books, bulletins and journals etc. The Institute is expected to play more active role in molding brotherly feelings and better understanding between the future generations.
Trade is a vital factor in regional economic cooperation. Liberalisation of trade and regional orientation of Industrial investment policies are among R.C.D.’s major goals. Apart from the endeavours to lift or lower tariff barriers, action has also been taken to increase the quantum of intraregional trade by adopting measures such as barter arrangements, multilateral payments arrangements and single-country licensing, etc.
The RCD countries are aware of the fact that tourism is a major factor in their economic development and they are eager to benefit from it. Iran, Pakistan and Turkey possess a rich potential and the RCD countries have as such the possibility for tourism which can be developed on a regional level. In addition, the common cultural, religi-ous and historical relations of RCD countries are important factors for promoting intra-regional tourism.
For facilitating intra-regional postal exchanges special postal rates have been instituted by the member countries. In order to increase airmail deliveries within the region, the national airlines have adopted time-tables and services to maximize the number of mail flights. It has been a tradition to issue Commemorative Postage Stamps simultaneously by the three countries on the occasion of’ the RCD Anniversary on the 21st of July each year. The three postal administrations co-operate with each other on a reciprocal basis regarding the sale of both the RCD Anniversary Commemorative Postage Stamps as well as exchange other commemorative postage stamps that member countries issue from time to time.
Like all other important areas of regional cooperation, technical cooperation was also conceived during the first meeting of the Heads of State in July 1964 who, recognising the intrinsic utility of exchange programmes meant to promote regional understanding and harmony, decided that the member countries should provide technical assistance to each other in the form of experts and training facilities. The programme provides for technical and professional training, technical fellowships and scholarships, besides exchange of experts.

Introduction of International System of Weights and Measurements in Pakistan (July 01, 1974)

The stamp is vertical in format. Three vertical panels of green, yellow sand pink colours depict the International units of weight, capacity and length.
The green panel at left shows weights, tile second panel in yellow colour shows litres and the third panel in pink shows centimeter tape as a measure of length.
INTRODUCTION OF INTERNATIONAL SYSTEM OF WEIGHTS & MEASURES IN PAKISTAN
At the moment all the three systems of weights and measures are prevailing in Pakistan viz.: (i) Indigenous i.e. tolas, seers, yards, girahs,
(ii) Imperial System i.e. feet, inch, mile, cwt. ton;
(iii) The Metric System i.e. Kilos, meters, Metric tons. etc. There is a confusion about the whole thing.
To quote an example, the manufacturers of vegetable ghee use all the three systems. They import certain raw materials and chemicals in Kilograms, they purchase oil from local market in maunds and seers but they sell the ghee in pounds. Similar is the case with the manufacturers of fertilizers, yarn and cement etc. Our trade with the Socialist Bloc and the Middle East countries is increasing day by day. All these countries have switched over to the International System. It is becoming very difficult for our traders, manufacturers, bankers and the Govt. to carry on the conversion between the, two systems. Our exports of finished industrial goods are particularly handicapped because of the difference in the two systems. Even the word ‘TON’ has three different values. Long British ton (2240 Lbs.). Short Ameri-can ton (2000 Lbs.) and Metric ton(2204 Lbs.). There is an utter confusion. Sometimes one Cwt. is taken to be equal to 50 kilos which is not exactly true. The factories, importers and stockists of cement and fertilizers are freely using one term for the other.
In order to end all this confusion it is necessary to adopt one coherent system viz: ‘International System of Weights and Measures’ which is being adopted by more and more countries of the world. The International System of Weights & Measures is based on decimal system or the use of multiples and sub-multiples of 10. In this system, the unit of length that is the meter, the unit of Mass, that is, Kilo-gram and the unit of Capacity that is The litre are used. Today more and morn countries are adopting this system. The decimal system has come to us from France but France got it from the- Arabs. Centuries ago when there was deci-mal system in Arabian countries the French people were ignorant of even zero. The concept of zero was given to the West by the Arabs. So when we return to deci-mal system, or Metric System, or its modi-fied form, generally called the ‘Internatio-nal System’, we are not adopting a new system, but just going back to the system of our ancestors.
The International System is better than the old system, more useful to the nation, and more beneficial to the common man. it has implications for us all. For the children and their teachers in our schools, it means saving of precious time on calcula-tions of all kinds not only in mathematics and science classes but also in geography and domestic studies. It means a new generation of more numerate young people, thinking in the common measurement language of the world. For the manufacturing and construction industries, for scientific organisations and in fact for everyone, it means simpler and quicker calculations with less chances of error. More generally it means better designs, and a rethinking of established habits and processes.
In Pakistan because of these manifold advantages it has been decided to introduce the International System of Weights and Measures from 1st July, 1974.
The Government of Pakistan has decid-ed to introduce the International System in the Government scientific organizations like PCSLR, Atomic Energy etc, and the PIA from 1st July, 1974. These organizations will form the nucleus and will have a snowball effect for other departments of 4he Central Government to follow. In the past, the common man had an unpleasant experience of the currency decimalization in the country. The shopkeeper, the bus conductor, everybody looted the common man in the name of decimal system. That is why the people do not welcome any more change, even if they are convinced that the new system is better than the old one. We will have to avoid this overcharging and overpricing That is why this programme has been spread over a period of 4 years and the introduction of the system has been started from the Government-controlled organizations, where the question of over-charging and over-invoicing does not arise. This process will go upto June 1978. By that time most of the people will be able to understand the new system better, as they will be dealing with the Government-con-trolled agencies in the International System.

Second Islamic Summit Pakistan (February 22, 1974)

20 PAISA STAMP: Format of the stamp is vertical. A circular Islamic Motif in blue and mauve colours appears at the upper portion of the stamp super-imposed on the lower portion by the Islamic Summit insignia in yellow, light green and brown colour.
65-PAISA STAMP: Format of the stamp is horizontal. The Islamic Summit insignia which is in red, blue and black colours appears against a circular yellow background fringed by sitting human forms in black symbolic representation of the participants of the Conference. A white Crescent embraces the circular shape from the left side. A number of ray-strips of pale green and dark green colours emerge from behind this circle and spread upto the extremities of the stamp.
In order to commemorate the auspicious occa-sion of the Islamic Summit Pakistan 1974, Post Office Department has brought out a set of two commemorative postage stamps of 20-Paisa and 65-Paisa denominations on 22.2.1974.
85p Souvenir Sheet- A Souvenir Sheet containing the two stamps is also to be brought in the size 100 mm.xl00 mm. Each souvenir sheet is priced at 85-Paisa. The number of sou-venir sheets printed is 1,00,000. The first Islamic Summit was held in Rabat (Morocco) from 22nd to 25th October, 1969 follow-ing the arson in the holy Al-Aqsa Mosque on 21st August, 1969. The sacrilege of the holy Al-Aqsa Mosque caused a tremor in the Muslim world and the deteriorating situation in the Middle East posed a grave danger to the sanctity of the holy places of Islam. The Islamic Heads of the States and Governments were therefore convinced that there was never before a greater need for promoting Islamic soli-darity among member states and that their common creed constituted a, powerful factor in bringing their people together and fostering understanding, between them. Hence they resolved to promote closer coopera-tion and mutual assistance in the economic, scien-tific, cultural and spiritual fields inspired by the im-mortal teachings of Islam.
To achieve this end it was decided to hold a Conference of Islamic Foreign Ministers once a year to discuss matters of common interest and make arrangements for common action. A permanent Islamic Secretariat was created to act as liaison bet-ween the participating states and to take follow-up action regarding the implementation of decisions taken by the Islamic Conference. The first Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers was held in Jeddah in March 1970, the second Conference in Karachi in December, 1970, the third one in Jeddah in February/March, 1972 and the fourth Conference of Islamic Foreign Ministers was held in Benghazi in March, 1973. These Conferences took a number of decisions aimed at promoting Islamic solidarity among member States and to consolidate cooperation among them in various fields of activities.
Following the Arab-Israel War in October, 1973, Tunku Abdul Rahman, the then Secretary-General of the Islamic Secretariat suggested that a Islamic Summit Conference should be convened in Pakistan under the joint sponsorship of Prime Minister, Mr. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and King Faisal of Saudi Arabia to consider the situation in the Middle East. The Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mr. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto thereupon seized the initiative and offered to host the Summit at Lahore. H. M. King Faisal of Saudi Arabia agreed to co-sponsor the Conference.
The Middle East war has provided yet another proof that the greatest strength of the Muslim world lies in its unity. The Islamic Summit has accor-dingly been convened with a view to bringing the weight of the entire Muslim world behind the Arab nations in their just and legitimate struggle and to demonstrate that the cause of the Arabs is the cause of the whole Muslim world. Furthermore impor-tant questions such as the future of Jerusalem and other holy places which are of direct concern to every Muslim would be discussed at the Islamic Summit.
Since its creation, the promotion of Islamic solidarity among the Muslim states has been the cherished goal of Pakistan and a corner stone of her foreign policy. Under the new constitution, it is a constitutional obligation as well. This is why Pakistan played a major role in the crystallization of the concept of Muslim unity into the concrete shape of the Islamic Conference and the Islamic Secreta-riat and since the latter’s establishment, Pakistan has been actively participating in all its activities. The holding of the second Islamic Summit at Lahore is further evidence of Pakistan’s policy of promot-ing Islamic unity and cooperation among Muslim countries in all fields.
The Conference is a historic occasion for the Muslims all over the world and Muslim leaders from Morocco to Indonesia will be attending the Confer-ence. It will be the venue for collective delibera-tions on important matters concerning the Muslims in general and the Middle East and the Baitul Muqaddas in particular. The people of Pakistan have enthusiastically welcomed the Summit which is a privilege for Pakistan to host.

World Population Year (January 01, 1974)

Stamp is horizontal in format. A small Pakistani family comprising of father, mother, a boy and a girl is shown on the left side of the stamp and the insignia of the World Population Year on the right. The concern of rapid population growth is on the increase all over the globe. Most of the advanced countries of the world are aiming at zero rate of population growth while the developing countries shave set a goal of halving the growth within a short period. Sensing the concern of the member countries, the United Nations Organization has designated 1974 as the World Population Year to improve know-ledge and information on facts concerning population trends and prospects and to sharpen awareness and heighten apprecia-tion of population problems and their im-plications. The important aims of World Population Year projects are; research, studies and surveys on population problem conferences, seminars and meetings around the World, training and formal and infor-mal education concerning population prog-ramme to develop awareness of the prob-lem and project efforts to meet the chall-enge. Pakistan is an early signatory to the “Declaration on Population” where the heads of states expressed their conviction concerning the importance of problems for national planning of economic goals and for the achievement of lasting peace, their belief in the right of parents to plan the size of their families and the view that the enrichment of human life is the objective of family planning. As an active member of United Nations Organization, Pakistan is observing the World Population Year 1974 in a most enthusiastic way taking part in and planning on its own multifarious activities.

The concern shown by the Peoples Government over the problems of population growth is well known. In an interview with the Australian Broadcasting Corpora-tion, Prime Minister Mr. Z. A. Bhutto remarked:— “Population pressure is very great on our people and we have to make efforts to con-trol the growth of population We are gro-wing at the rate of 2.5 to 3per cent and that is far too much. Very soon we will be eating ourselves at this rate. So if the people are made to realise the implications of the population explosion, 1 think they themselves will also try to exercise discipline. At the sane time the State has a responsibility and I don’t believe that I would be fair to our pee-pie if I shirked this responsibility”. The present Government attaches high. priority to an effective population planning programme. Strong and persistent efforts are necessary in this sector to maintain balance between resources and population. The Government therefore considers that a positive programme of population planning is not only necessary, but vital for the economic betterment of the country. Unless the rate of population increase is imme-diately controlled, all the economic gains would be wiped out by the disturbing popu-lation growth.
The population planning programme does not aim at reducing the population The purpose of the programme is to educate the married population and provide them with population planning services in order to enable them to achieve spacing between child births thus ensuring better health of the couple particularly mothers. The prog-ramme is designed to determine the feasible size of their families resulting in the pro-motion of health standard of the indivi-dual and the nation. Its reach is confined to married couples who so desire to plan the size of their families and its prime objective is to improve the social conditions in the country and promote health standard of the nation.
The Fourth Five Year Plan is a period of expanded and intensified efforts. The administrative structure is designed to ap-proach all fertile couples in the country, to maintain regular and continued contact with them and to report systematically on the outcome of each such contact. People’s Gov-ernment has a declared objective to amelio-rate the lot of the common man. Population Planning Programme is a gigantic effort to maintain balance between the material and physical resources of the na-tion. The total size of the programme in the country which was Rs. 221.45 lakhs in 1965-66 at its inception and Rs. 279.23 lakhs in the last year of the previous re-gimes rose under the present Government to Rs. 340.15 lakhs in 1972-73 and Rs.1025.1O lakhs in 1973-74. This increase speaks for itself about the unprecedented effort and progress made in this field.
A multi-dimensional publicity prog-ramme has been enforced depending mostly on inter-personnel contacts but mobilising also indirect publicity on Radio, TV and other mass media.
The crude birth rate which stood at 50 per thousand in 1955 and was estimated by the Planning Commission to be 45 per thousand in 1970. The programme now aims to bring down the rate to 40 per thousand by 1975.