SAARC Summit 1988 Islamabad. (1988-9)

The idea of a regional association in South Asia was first mooted in November, 1980. It met with a positive response from the Governments of South Asian Countries viz. Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

It was realised that the countries of the region which constituted one-fifth of humanity were faced with formidable challenges posed by poverty, under development, low levels of production, unemployment and population explosion.

It was felt that in view of many common values rooted in their social, cultural and political traditions, regional cooperation provided a logical response to these problems.

It was further understood that an effective regional cooperation, alongwith leading to optimum utilization of their respective capacities for the benefit of their peoples, could accelerate the pace of their economic development and enhance their individual and collective self-reliance.
Following consultations amongst the countries of the region, the Foreign Secretaries of the seven countries met for the first time in Colombo in April, 1981. At this meeting the concept of the South Asian Regional Cooperation was launched with the agreement of the regional countries to commission feasibility studies for cooperation in various fields.

The subsequent meetings of the Foreign Secretaries and then the Foreign Ministers of the countries of the region identified eleven areas of cooperation which included Agriculture and Forestry, Health and Population, Meteorology, Rural Development, Telecommunications, Transport, Science and Techno-logy, Postal Services, Sports, Arts and Culture, Drug Trafficking and Women in Development.
The Foreign Ministers stressed that increasing emphasis should be placed on operational activities and the formulation of regional projects with the object of implementing the Integrated Programme of Action.

The first SAARC Summit was held at Dhaka on December 7-8, 1985 and with the signing of the Charter of -the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation on 8th December, 1985 the SAARC was established.

The main objectives of the Association are to promote the welfare of the people of South Asia and to improve their quality of life, to accelerate economic growth, social progress and cultural development in the region, to cultivate, collective self-reliance among the countries of South Asia, to contribute to mutual trust and understanding, promotion of active collaboration and mutual assistance in the economic, social, cultural, technical and scientific fields and to strengthen cooperation among themselves at international forums on matters of common interests.

The underlying Principles of the SAARC are based on respect for the principles of sovereign equality, territorial integrity, political independence, non-interference in the internal affairs of other states and mutual benefits.

The activities of the SAARC are planned and regulated through various organizations. The highest decision making authority in the SAARC rests with the Heads of the States/Governments.

They meet once a year or more often as and when necessary. The Council of Ministers meets twice a year and is, interalia, responsible for formulation of policy.

The Standing Committee comprising Foreign Secretaries meets as often as deemed necessary and reviews progress of SAARC activities, approves projects and programmes and decides on the modalities of their financing.

Technical Committees are responsible for the implementation, coordination and monitoring of the programmes besides identifying new areas of cooperation and preparation of projects.

The SAARC Secretariat was inaugurated in Katmandu by His Majesty King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev in the presence of the Foreign Ministers of SAARC countries on 16 January, 1987.

The role of the Secretary-General and Secretariat is to coordinate and monitor the implementation of the SAARC activities, arrange the meetings of the Association and serve as channel of communication and linkage between SAARC and other inter-national organizations.
The Integrated Programme of Action constitutes the overall activities undertaken under the aegis of SAARC.

The respective Technical Committees take due notice of the implementation of the programme of action. With the endeavors of these Committees various regional institutions have been established while a few are under active consideration of respective Technical Committees.
Since establishment of SAARC, three Summit Meetings have been held at Dhaka (Bangladesh), Banglore (India) and Katmandu (Nepal) in 1985, 1986 and 1987 respectively which is clear manifestation of determination of the governments of the member countries to cooperate regionally, to work together towards the solution of their common problems in a spirit of friendship, trust and understanding and to the creation of an order based on mutual respect, equality and shared benefits.

The fourth SAARC Summit is scheduled to be held in Pakistan on 29-31 December, 1988. To commemorate the occasion, Pakistan Post Office is issuing three postage stamps of Rs 25, Rs 50 and Rs 75 denominations on 29th December, 1988.

75 Year Of Islamia College Peshawar (1913- 1988) (1988-8)

Muslims of the sub-continent were very slow in acquiring modern knowledge and this was even more visible on the North-Western Frontiers of India. The Pathans looked with disdain both on the British and the knowledge coming from their schools.

It was Sir Sahibzada Abdul Qaiyum Khan, a civil servant in the British administration on the Frontiers, who realised the consequences of such an attitude.

His visit to Aligarh in 1909 gave further impetus to his dream of establishing an exemplary College or Dar-ul-Ulum, along with an Oriental Wing and High School, where studies in religion would be blended with modern western education.

Thus, having won the sympathy of the Ulema and the landed gentry, he was able to muster public support for general education.

In April 1911, a Committee was formed to collect subscriptions and look after the various other connected issues. This Committee had Sir Sahibzada Abdul Qaiyum Khan as its first Honorary Secretary, for he could serve as the best intermediary between the government and the masses.

It was amazing to see that in mere six months time about five lacs rupees were collected, which amount later swelled up to fifteen in 1914. What was most touching was the sight of poor widows and workers happily parting with their little savings for the College, with the hope that their children would live a better future through their education.

The choice of the site for the Dar-ul-Ulum fell on the area at the entrance of the tribal territory with the view to attract the tribal youth as well.

It was here that a total of 916 Kanals and 17 Marlas of land was bought for Rs 30,683/1/4, at the rat of Rs 30 per Kanal. The foundation stone was then laid on 21.3.1912 at the hands of a revered scholar, Haji Sahib of Turangzai.

Classes were started in the Islamia Collegiate School on April 14, 1913, while the College started on October 1st that year. Admission initially was low, but it gradually caught up alongwith construction of its building.

The Dar-ul-Ulum, comprising an Arts and Science College, a High School and an Oriental Faculty; became nucleus of the College. Establishment of hostels, library, play grounds and staff quarters turned this barren land into a haven of learning in shortest possible time. The impact of the College was soon felt in all walks of life in the Frontier. Quaid-i-Azam visited the College in 1936 during his first ever tour of the Frontier, followed by another visit in 1945.

The Frontier youth took active part in the struggle for Pakistan and the Quaid-i-Azam re-visited the College after the emergence of Pakistan in 1948. The Father of the Nation was so touched by the love and affection of the graduates of the College that he bequeathed part of his assets to the College through his will.

The College‘s contribution to the intellectual growth of the area is universally acknowledged. It has provided educated manpower to the Province in particular and to Pakistan in general. The establishment of the University of Peshawar, followed by those of University of Engineering & Technology and the University of Agriculture, besides the Medical College and the Teaching Hospital on the same campus, stand testimony to the contribution of the College to advancement of human knowledge in this area.

The College celebrated its Golden Jubilee in October 1963 and will be celebrating its Diamond Jubilee on completion of its 75th year of its establishment in October, 1988.

Contributed by Islamia College, Peshawar.

To commemorate the 75 Year of Islamia College Peshawar, the Pakistan Post Office is issuing a stamp of Rs 3 denomination on December 22, 1988.

Wildlife Series. (1988-7)

Markhor is endangered throughout its habitat in Pakistan. The name “Markhor” means “Snake Eater” but there is no evidence to suggest that it actually does eat them. The other meaning attributed to Markhor (MAR-AKHUR) is “Snake Like Horn” which seems to be more descriptive and apt illustration of its spiral shaped horns.

It is the largest and heaviest of all the wild goats. There are several sub-species of Markhor, amongst which Suleiman Markhor is more widely distributed but also severely restricted in numbers.

Unscru-pulous hunting and transmission of diseases by domestic cattle have reduced its population size. Man is, however, the most serious predator and has made its status threatened with extinction.

Suleiman Markhor occurs in scattered isolated population on all the major ranges immediately to the north and east of Quetta. It also found in Toba Kakar range and along the borders with Afghanistan.

In the Suleiman range it occurs in the Gurchani Hills. Blue pine forests of Shingar Range is the other habitat where this animal is found. Suleiman Markhor have long spirally twisted horns which measures upto 92 cm.

Old males have a long thick beard with relatively short thick legs and broad hooves. It is reddish grey in color weighing about 110. Kg. It measures 107 cm at the shoulder. Females have same shape of horns but shorter in length (26 cm).

It is a gregarious species. Females with their young generally live u~ herds. Mature males invariably live solitary and frequent inaccessible crags. They are diurnal, feeding on grasses more actively in early morning and late evening.

At this time male possess a very pungent goaty odour. Gestation period varies from 162-170 days. Twins are quite commonly born and there is a record of triplicates. Young Markhor definitely stay with their mother until next young is about to born.

Markhor have an alarming snort. It is perhaps more of a sneeze sound but quite explosive and capable of carrying several hundred yards. The oldest recorded age is 1 0 years.

The other sub-species of Markhor found within Pakistan and in the neighbouring countries of USSR and Afghanistan are as follows:

1. Capra falconeri cashmiriensis

The Pir Panjal, Chitral.

2. Capra falconeri falconeri

Astor, Gilgit.

3. Capra falconeri chialtanesis. Chiltan

4. Capra falconeri heptneri

Badakhshan, USSR.

5. Capra falconeri megaceros

Kabul and Safed Koh.

Survey of the different sub-species of the Markhor have revealed that majority of the population of this unique and impressive looking wild animal is present in Pakistan. It is therefore, our moral and legal obligation to save it from extinction and provide it a safe environment to prosper.

To highlight the need to protect the wild animals and their environment, this special stamp on Suleiman Markhor is being issued on the event of the visit of HRH Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, President World Wild Fund for Nature to Pakistan.

To focus world attention on the need to protect and preserve this vulnerable wildlife species Pakistan Post Office is issuing a special postage stamp of Rs 2 value depicting “Suleiman Markhor” (Capra falconeri Jerdoni) on October 29, 1988. It is a part of the series on wildlife stamps being issued by Pakistan Post Office since 1975.

Seoul Olympics. September 17 - October 2, 1988. (1988-6)

Olympic Games are commonly believed to have been first celebrated in 776 BC at Olympia in Greece. Thereafter, Olympic have been a regular 4 yearly event till above 393 AD After their revival through the efforts of the French scholar and educator Pierre de Coubertin, the games of the first Olympiad of the modern cycle were held in Athens in 1896.
Subsequent games were held at four years intervals in different cities of the world. At first, the Olympic programme was confined to one day and consisted only of a single event--a race, the length of the stadium.

Afterwards, additional races and other events were added and the duration was also extended. Olympic Games are now held for 16 days. The 24th Seoul Olympics include the following games.

ARCHERY: Even after the bow and arrow were displaced as weapons of war in the 15th century, this ancient skill has survived as a sport. Competitors will vie for 4 gold medals.

ATHLETICS: Athletics is among the oldest form of organized sport and the most truly inter-national in practice. There are 42 events in which the athletes will go for the gold in the Seoul Olympic Stadium.

BASEBALL: It will be the eighth time for baseball, the so called national sport of the United States, to be included as a demonstration sport at the Olympic Games.

BASKETBALL: When James A. Naismith posted his 13 rules of basketball on the wall of YMCA Training College in Springfield, Massachusetts, in December 1891, he could not have known how popular his invention would become world wide. 2 gold medals will go to the winning teams.

BOXING: Pugilisun is a venerable sport, having existed in some form or other since 1500 BC even before the ancient Greek introduced boxing to the Games at the 23rd Olympiad in 688 BC Fighters in 22 weight divisions will pair off for 12 gold medals.

CANOEING: Racing canoes and kayas was first developed in Europe in 1930’s and the sport has been dominated by European champions ever since it was first introduced in the Olympics at the 1936 Games. Participants will compete for 12 gold medals.

CYCLING: Cycling as a sport dates from the latter half of the 19th century in Europe and Europeans have completed dominated the Olympic events since they were first introduced in 1900. 9 gold medals await the winners in 1988.

EQUESTRIAN SPORTS: The equestrian events are in shown jumping, which tests the horse’s speed and ability to jump high; dressage, which demonstrates the horse’s skill and obedience; and the three days event, which combines jumping, dressage and endurance tests on roads and tracks, steeplechase and cross country. There will be 6 gold medals for the top winners.

FENCING: Believe it or not, a 12th century BC Egyptian relief carving shows fencers participating with covered points and wearing masks and padding. It is only fitting that so ancient a sport should have been included in the Olympics from the first Games in 1896. Contestants will take up foils, sabers and epees to complete for 8 gold medals.

FOOTBALL: Some form of this game has been around for millennia. The Romans spread their version throughout Europe and it is from this that the modern game ultimately derives. The game grew greatly in popularity after its Olympic success of 1920 and 1924. There is only 1 gold medal in Football.

GYMNASTICS: Systematic training of the body was espoused by the ancient Greeks, who may be regarded as the originators of this discipline. The modern sport was spread throughout the world by European gymnastic societies in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The athletes will compete for 15 gold medals.

HANDBALL: The object of the game is the same as football: get the ball in the opponents’ goal as often as possible. The game has been an official Olympic Sport since 1972. There will be 2 gold medals for the winning teams.

HOCKEY: This game is actually much more widely played all-over the world than any other game save football. In fact it is believed to be the oldest game played with a stick and ball. Hockey has been in the Olympics in 1908, 1920 and regularly from 1928 on. Pakistan has the distinction of being the Olympic Champions in 1960, 1968 & 1984 besides winning silver medals in many other Olympic matches. Teams will vie for 2 gold medals - One Men’s and other Women’s.

JUDO: Judo is a Japanese system of unarmed combat that makes use of special techniques to turn the opponent’s force to one’s own advantage. It joined the roster of official Olympic sports in 1964 at the Tokyo Games. There will be a gold medal each in 7 weight divisions for winners.

MODERN PENTATHLON: This sport, which has been part of the Olympics since 1912, is based on skills needed by a battlefield courier and combines riding on un familiar horse over 15 jumps, fencing in duels, swimming against the clock, shooting a pistol with only 3 seconds to aim and fire and running a 4 km cross country course. The teams will compete for 2 gold medals.

ROWING: Rowing skills have evolved from ancient time but the first record of boat racing is from the year 1300 in Venice. There was a boom in rowing competitions in the 19th century and interest in rowing still runs high today. The competitors will go after 14 gold medals.

SHOOTING: The guns now in use are modern developments, but target shooting dates as far back as the 15th century; and shooting has been an official Olympic sport since the First Games in 1896. The best shooters will take away 13 gold medals.

SWIMMING: Swimming races were included in the First Games in 1896. Diving was added in 1904 and women events in 1912. There will be 38 gold medals up for taking at Seoul Games 31 in swimming races, 4 in diving, 2 in synchronized swimming and 1 in water polo.

TABLE TENNIS: Invented in England in the early 20th century, the popularity of table tennis grew by leaps and bounds until by the 1970’s there were more than 90 national associations.
World Championships have been held since 1927, but table tennis is new to the Olympics at the 24th Games. Players will compete for 4 gold medals.

TAEKWONDO: Although Taekwondo already has a big world wide following and was included as an official sport in the 10th Asian Games, held in Seoul in 1986, the events held at the 24th Olympics will be for demonstration only.

TENNIS: The modern game of lawn tennis is a descendent of an earlier game called real tennis or court tennis and dates from the latter half of the 19th century. Demonstration matches were held at the 23rd Games in Los Angeles. The sport is back this time as an official part of the schedule and the matches are sure to be exciting because professionals will be allowed to take part. Players will compete for 4 gold medals.

VOLLEYBALL: It is hard to believe that when volleyball was invented in 1895 it was meant to serve as an indoor sport for businessman who found basketball too vigorous.

International competition began in 1913 at the First Far East Games in Manila and the sport has been included in the Olympics since the First Games in 1896.2 gold medals will be at stake.

WEIGHTLIFTING: Lifting a special rock has been a test of manhood since ancient times, but modern weight lifting began as entertainment in music halls and circuses in the 18th and 19th centuries. The first world championships were held in London in 1891 and the sport has been part of the Olympics since the First Games in 1896. 10 gold medals await the best lifters.

WRESTLING: Wrestling has been popular since time immoral and was included in the ancient Olympia in Greece. Today, two versions of the sport are included in the Olympics Freestyle and. Greco-Roman which bars attacking below the waist. There will be 20 gold medals in these events.

YACHTING: Yachts were built in Holland as early as the 16th century but as a sport, yachting. dates from the early 19th century when many yachting clubs were formed in England and America. Yachting was scheduled for the First Games in 1896 but was cancelled because of bad weather. The event have been held since 1900 and the Olympic regatta has strongly influenced other regatta events. Competitors will vie for 8 gold medals.
Pakistan is planning to participate in the following games of 1988 Seoul Olympics Hockey, Wrestling, Yachting. Boxing, Athletics and Table Tennis.

A stamp exhibition OLYMPHILEX ‘88’ is also being held at Korea Exhibition Center from 19 September to 28 September, 1988. Pakistan is officially participating in the said Exhibition.
To commemorate the 1988 Olympics being held in Seoul from September 17 to October 2, Pakistan Post Office Department is issuing a set of 10 stamps each of Rs 10 value on September 17, 1988 representing different events, sports and games of the XXIV OLYMPICS in Seoul.

Independence Day. (1988-5)

The first brick in the foundation of Pakistan was laid in 712 AD when Mohammad Bin Qasim anchored at Debal Port (now know as Karachi), freed the Muslim women and children from the prisons of Raja Dahir and constructed the first mosque in the town.

Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Au Jinnah, the Founder of Pakistan, acclaimed the event by stating “the Pakistan Movement started when the first Muslim put his foot on the soil of Sind - the Gateway of Islam in India”.

The Pakistan Movement was synonymous with the very spirit of Islam. The War of Independence in 1857 was an open manifestation of the Muslim spirit of revolt against the domination of the British Government and its stooges in India. Frustration and lack of direction, however, pervaded the ranks of Muslims after the unfortunate failure in the War.
At this critical juncture emerged Sir Syed Ahmed Khan who served as a beacon of light for the Muslim Nation in distress and disarray. He equated education with power and declared that the Muslims could improve their political, social and economic condition only through the medium of modern and scientific education.

He cultivated the concept of a separate Muslim Nation on the basis of religion, culture and history. He inspired the Muslims of the sub-continent to demand a separate homeland where they could arrange their lives and affairs of the state according to the dictates of Holy Quran and Sunnah.

ationalism. Pakistan ideology found ever clearer expression in his religio-philosophical, didactic and poetic works. At its base was the idea that spiritual unity founded on Islam was the most vital and integral element of national society.

Islam emerges in this ideology as a form of national unity and absorbs all political thoughts. While presiding over the session of the All India Muslim League at Allahabad in 1930, Dr Iqbal’s address represented the first clarion call for the establishment of an independent Islamic State in the subcontinent.

From 1937 onwards, Mr Mohammad Ali Jinnah became identified in the Muslim mind with the concept of the charismatic community, the concept which answered their psychic need for endowing and sanctifying their sense of community with a sense of power.
Increasingly he became the embodiment of Muslim national consensus. And this explains why Muslims acknowledged him as their Quaid-e-Azam even before the launching of the Pakistan demand in March 1940. From now on events moved fast.

Due to the persistent intransigence of the Indian National Congress the Muslims were left with no alternative but to demand the partition of the sub-continent through the famous Lahore Resolution of 23 March 1940.

It declared that no constitutional plan would be workable in the country or acceptable to the Muslims unless it was designed on the basic principle that geographically contiguous units were demarcated into regions in a manner that the areas in which the Muslim were numerically in a majority were grouped together to constitute an independent state.

After a hard and heroic struggle by the Muslims of the sub-continent, the British Parliament was forced to approve the Indian Independence Act, 1947 leading to the birth of Pakistan on 14th August 1947.

On this historic day, the Quaid-e-Azam while addressing the first session of Constituent Assembly of Pakistan in Karachi eulogized the services and sacrifices of the Muslims of the sub-continent to achieve Pakistan, in the following words.

“My thoughts are with the valiant fighters in our cause who readily sacrificed all they had, including their lives, to make Pakistan possible”.

Thus the response of millions of Muslims, sacrificing their lives and homes, to the call of unity, faith and discipline from their Quaid-e-Azam firmly placed Pakistan on the world map.
The Quaid-e-Azam was a great man and a great Muslim. He vehemently advocated morality in politics. He declared that morality in politics was even more important than in private life because if you do something wrong in public you hurt and harm more people.

He firmly believed in the Islamic system of Government in which sovereignty belongs to Allah the Almighty. Quaid-e-Azam, therefore, affirmed the basic principles of an Islamic State by stating.

“Fundamentally, in an Islamic State, all authority rests with Allah the Almighty. The Government business is conducted according to the Quranic principles and injunctions. Neither the Head nor the Parliament nor an individual nor an institution can act absolutely in any matter.

Only the Quranic injunctions control our behaviour in society and politics. In other words, Islamic democracy is indeed the rule of Shariat Laws”.

The present Government is earnestly endeavouring to translate the thoughts of Quaid-e-Azam into reality.

To commemorate the 41st anniversary of the birth of Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the Pakistan Post Office is issuing a set of 2 stamps of paisa 80 and Rs 4 denominations on 14th August 1988.

125th Anniversary Of The Red Cross And Red Crescent Movement. (1988-4)

ORIGIN AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE RED CROSS/RED CRESCENT MOVEMENT
It was 24 June, 1859 when a 31 year old Genevese, Henry Dunant happened to witness clash between the powerful armies of France and Austria at Solferino. This was one of the bloodiest battles of the 19th century and by hightfall more than 40,000 had, fallen on the battlefield.

Moved by the horrible scene of wounded lying in heaps, many of whom could have been healed, had they been treated in time, Dunant promptly set about to improvised aid for treating some of these unfortunates, with the help of local population.

Later, after returning to Geneva, Dunant wrote a short book “A Memory of Solferino” in which he movingly described all that he had seen not long before on the scene of battlefield. The book, which appeared in November, 1862, contained the following two proposals being the basis of the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement.

ormation of relief societies in peace time, whose aim would be to give support to the army medical service in time of war.

Ensuring that States would formulate some international principle “sanctioned by a convention inviolable in character, which once agreed upon and ratified might constitute basis for societies for the relief of the wounded”.

Attracted by these proposals, Gustave Moynier, a young lawyer and the then President of the Public Welfare Society of Geneva, called a meeting in order to discuss the proposals and attempted to find ways of putting them into effect, and appointed a Committee composed of five members.

This small group of private individuals then boldly proceeded to convene inter-national conference whose object was “to improve the inadequacies in the army medical service”. As a result, no less than 16 States met in October, 1863 and laid the foundation of the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement.

The resolution which was then approved, provided for formulation groups of volunteers in each country, with the help of respective government who would be prepared to go onto the field of battle and tend the wounded. These groups (associations) were later developed as national Societies.

The following year, the committee succeeded in getting the representatives of the governments to attend an international meeting in Geneva, the Diplomatic Conference of August, 1864 which adopted the first Geneva Convention for the amelioration of the condition of the wounded in armies in the field, and for the protection of medical personnel.
ORGANISATION OF INTERNATIONAL RED CROSS/RED CRESCENT

The International Red Cross/Red Crescent which became an organised body in 1928 with its own statues, is an association of a non-official character consisting of

(i) International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), which is at the origin of the whole Red Cross/Red Ci~37ent movement, is a private committee, whose members are all Swiss, recruited by co-option among Swiss citizens, but whose activity, recognised by international treaties, is primarily international. It is essentially a neutral intermediary in time of war who, as the guardian of the Red Cross principles (appended below), watches over the application of the Geneva Conventions:

Humanity, - Impartiality, - Neutrality, - independence, - Voluntary Service, - Unity, -

niversality.
(ii) The League of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (LRCS), which was founded in 1919 is a world- wide Federation of the National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, It coordinates, facilitates and promotes the development of their activities in peace-time and more particularly, goes into action in the event of natural disasters.

(iii) The National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, which have adopted emblems of Red Cross and Red Crescent, respectively, are the pillars on which the whole of the edifice has been build. There is only one Red Cross/Red Crescent Society in a country. The total numbers of the national Societies, at present, is 145 throughout the globe. These Societies are independent out of each other and of their own Government, which however projects and supports its Society and their only purpose is to being relief to all those who suffer.
ORIGIN AND DEVELOPMENT OF GENEVA

CONVENTIONS/INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN LAW

Since adoption of the First Geneva Convention in August, 1864 the International Committee of the Red Cross has always retained the initiative in the promotion and development of international humanitarian law and has been the originator of its subsequent extension. This Convention followed adoption of two more Conventions; one in 1899 and other in 1929.

The 12 August 1949 was an important date in the development of international humanitarian law. On that day was signed a fourth humanitarian treaty for the protection of civilians and also the revised and supplemented versions of the first three Conventions as we know them today:

The FIRST CONVENTION protects wounded and sick soldiers and medical personnel in war on land.

The SECOND CONVENTION protects the wounded, the sick and the shipwrecked and the medical personnel of armed forces at sea.

The THIRD CONVENTION protects prisoners of war.

The FOURTH CONVENTION protects civilians in enemy and occupied territory.

With a view to meet the new situations developed after adoption of the Geneva Conventions of 1949, two Protocols additional to these Conventions were worked out under ICRC auspices in the course of many years of work and signed on 10 June 1977. Protocol I protects the victims of international armed conflicts and Protocol II those of non international armed conflicts.

PAKISTAN RED CRESCENT SOCIETY

The Pakistan Red Crescent Society (former Pakistan Red Cross Society) was founded on 20th December, 1947. It was recognised by thc ICRC on 21st July, 1948 and was admitted as a member of the LRCS on 15th August, 1948. Its Constitution is based on the Geneva Convention to which the Society is a party, and on the fundamental principles outlined earlier.

In deference to the wishes of the people of Pakistan, legislation to change the name of the Pakistan Red Cross Society was passed by the Parliament in February 1974 and since then the Society is known as “Pakistan Red Crescent Society” with its new emblem as red crescent in place of red cross.

The Society, according to its Constitution, and the Pakistan Red Crescent Act No XV of 1920 (as amended upto February 1974), is an auxiliary agency to the Government of Pakistan and as such has a more important status than any other voluntary agency in the country.
The Society Is primarily an emergency organisation operating essentially ‘in the field’ during the relatively limited emergency and post emergency periods. For disaster relief, the Society’s programme envisages the provision of:

Rescue and first-aid. - Food supplies, - Clothing, - Shelter, - Evacuation, - Tracing

Services and other forms of emergency assistance.

The Society runs a number of medical institutions, such as, hospitals, dispensaries, clinics (including Mobile Eye Clinic run by the National Head-quarters), Blood Banks and MCH Centres etc throughout the country, and thus assists in providing the much needed medical facilities to the deserving people.

Contributed by Pakistan Red Crescent Society Islamabad.

To commemorate the 125th Anniversary of the Red Cross & Red Crescent Movement, Pakistan Post Office is issuing a stamp of Rs 3 denomination on May 8, 1988.

40th Anniversary Of World Health Organization (1948- 1988) (1988-3)

The World Health Organization was formally established on 7th April, 1948, the date when its constitution came into force bearing the signatures of 61 Member states. The Organization now numbers 166 Member states. The theme of World Health Day, 7th April 1988, will be “Health for All-All for Health”.

WHO has set itself a goal of “Health for All” by the year 2000 and there is a consensus among all Member states, both rich and poor, on a common strategy to achieve this goal. “Health for All” means social justice with an even distribution of resources within countries and health care which is accessible to everyone, with full community. involvement.
It means that health begins at home, in schools and in factories with people using better approaches for preventing disease and treating unavoidable sickness and disability. It means that people will realize that they have the power to shape their own lives and the lives of their families with an awareness that ill-health is not inevitable.

“Health for All” also entails the promotion of better and healthier lifestyles in such fields as nutrition, breast feeding, smoking, drug and alcohol abuse, personal hygiene, protection against communicable diseases improvement of the environment, traffic accidents, to name but a few.

Contributed by the World Health Organization.

To commemorate the 40th Anniversary of the World Health Organization, Pakistan Post Office is issuing a stamp of Rs 4 denomination on April 7, 1988.

World Leprosy Day. (1988-2)

35 years ago, Raoul Follereau founded ‘Leprosy Day’ with the object of focusing the world’s attention to the plight and misery of leprosy patients. Today, at least in Pakistan, the misery has been greatly ameliorated as more and more patients are found in the initial stages of leprosy and thus deformity is thwarted.

It is estimated that there are up to 15 million leprosy patients in the world. It is fortunate for us that the estimate of leprosy patients in Pakistan is between 35,000 to 40,000. Small in proportion, but if the problem is not tackled now, it will in the future become a major problem.
There is a total of 31,309 registered leprosy patients in Pakistan. By registered patients we mean all those who have so far been registered, regardless of whether they have since died or have been released from treatment.

There are 138 leprosy technicians treating the 12,635 patients who are currently under treatment and annually we discover, on ar average, 1,600 new patients who are added to this workload.

Leprosy is still a much dreaded disease in many parts of the world. This should not be so because it is a disease like any other disease caused by a bacterium similar to the one that causes Tuberculosis, It is dread because of the deformities and subsequent disabilities caused by these deformities.

Yet, all this can be prevented and avoided if the disease is detected in the early stages. Leprosy appears as a small skin lesion with loss of sensation and as it progresses a stage will be reached when the nerves become damaged, resulting in a loss of sensation over parts of the body which cab ultimately cause disfigurement of the patient.

With the new drugs available for the treatment of leprosy, there is no need to worry that the disease cannot be cured. It can be cured. The major problem faced today is that leprosy patients do not always seek treatment in time.

In Pakistan we have the infrastructure, Leprosy Control Centres and hospitals in every province, manned by well-trained and dedicated leprosy personnel.

However, leprosy still remains one of the least understood diseases, It is hoped that the public media to will assist in mounting a Leprosy Awareness Campaign so that the early signs and symptoms can be recognised so that the patient can seek treatment before’ deformity has Set in.

Gone should be the days of concentration on the leprosy patient as an object of pity - on leprosy as the summit of horror. The slogan to carry us forward to the turn of the century should be ’EARLY DETECTION MEANS EARLY CURE AND NO DEFORMITY’ .
World Leprosy Day is being celebrated in order to bring into focus the difficulties encountered by leprosy patients and the workers fighting against this once dreaded disease. Pakistan is doing its part in trying to control leprosy by the end of this century, although this struggle will not be without cost.

It is one that will need substantial financial resources and the determination to march ahead, despite the odds.

Contributed by National Leprosy Control Board

To commemorate World Leprosy Day, Pakistan Post Office is issuing a stamp of Rs 3 denomination on January 31, 1988.

Jamshed Nusserwanjee Mehta (1886 - 1986) (1988-1)

Many people become great by what they have. Only a few know how to become great by what they are. One such, great among the greats, was Jamshed Nusserwanjee Mehta.

In 1918 as a young man, he was elected a councilor of the Karachi Municipal Corporation. He displayed such profound civic sense and fervent concern for the welfare of his fellow human beings that he was soon elected the President of the Corporation. He served in that capacity for 12 years and become the first Mayor of the city.

When Jamshed was born Karachi was little more than a small a town. When he become the first Mayor of the city it had developed somewhat in its importance. In the thirteen years during his President-ship and Mayoralty of Karachi, he transformed the city into a great and important Metropolis.

Against the shortsightedness of his councilor, he succeeded in constructing wide roads, parks, gardens and playgrounds for the young. He divided the city into wards each of which had at lest one primary school, a clinic and a maternity home. He organized emergency services such as the f ire-brigade and ambulances to reach people in emergencies.
To each aspect of this planning, he gave his personal attention. With his honest skill, real and real hard work he turned Karachi into a large well-planned, modern city which became known as THE CLEANEST IN THE EAST . He was a genius at planning. He can truly be called the Father of Modern Karachi.

As a member of the Sindh Legislative Assembly, as founder, president, secretary or treasurer of countless organizations and corporations, he served every field of human life and activity, big and small.

But his real greatness was embodied in himself, his wonderful personality, his universal love and compassion, and above all his disarming simplicity and humility. He was a real friend, philosopher and guide to the poor, sick and suffering.

For the blind, the deaf and the disabled he organized special services. He was particularly compassionate towards the lepers and gave his personal attention to the Hendersen Leper Asylum at Manghopir. The needs of these especially disabled people were ever present in his mind and action.

Jamshed Nusserwanjee always took a keen interest in the social services and the Scout Movement and although he is not amongst us today he has left a permanent place in our hearts that he won by his good deeds and qualities.

He was the father of scouting in Sindh as well as in Karachi and one of the founder members of the Boy Scout Movement in India, and later on in Pakistan. He was the Deputy Chief Commissioner of the GHQ and its Honorary Treasurer. Our Sea Scout Land Ship, named after him, will always remind us of the late Jamshed Nusserwanjee’s memory.
He was born in Karachi on 7th January 1886 of noble parents amidst wealth and comfort. He had an easy chance to be happy, to live well and to gain fame and power. But from early years, the strength of a deeply spiritual nature began to shine forth from him. For he was intensely compassionate.

Soon after leaving College, Jamshed joined his father’s business. Though a practical businessman, he showed in his work admirable detachment, integrity and a high purpose. Jamshed Nusserwanjee -as he came to be know in his later life- gave to other not only all the riches of his purse but all the wealth of, his soul; and living a life of self-denial, love and sacrifice, left behind him the fragrance of the rose. Late Christmas Humphreys in his book ‘Via Tokyo’, described Jamshed as the greatest man he met whilst in India and said of him - ‘If ever a man was Christ-like, it is he’.

On 1st August 1952, Jamshed passed away. His fragrant soul left the temporal body after a short illness. But upto the very last day, his mind was alert and he continued to work lying in bed. Even with the last flicker of his life, his mind was engrossed in thoughts of others, whose welfare he sought.

Contributed by the Jamshed Memorial Society.

To commemorate the Jamshed Nusserwanjee 1886-1986, Pakistan Post Office is issuing a stamp of Rs 3 denomination on January 7, 1988.