48th Session of OIC Council of Foreign Ministers Islamabad, 22-23 March 2022 (2022-3)

Pakistan will host the 48th Session of OIC Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM), in Islamabad, on 22-23 March 2022, under the theme of "Partnering for Unity, Justice and Development". The meeting also holds special significance as it will coincide with the 75th anniversary celebrations of Pakistan's independence.

2. Pakistan has a proud history of hosting OIC Summits and CFM meetings. The upcoming Session will be the 5th occasion that Pakistan has hosted a regular CFM - we earlier hosted the 2nd Session (December 1970 in Karachi), 11th Session (May 1980 in Islamabad), 21st Session (April 1993 in Karachi) and the 34th Session (May 2007 in Islamabad).

3. Pakistan also hosted the 2nd OIC Summit in February 1974 in Lahore and the Extraordinary Summit on the occasion of Pakistan's Golden Jubilee, in Islamabad in 1997. Moreover, the 1st, 7th and the 17th Extraordinary Sessions of the OIC CFM were also held in Islamabad,in January 1980, September 1994 and December 2021, respectively.

4. Pakistan has a deep and abiding commitment to the eternal. Islamic virtues of amity and brotherhood. Promoting solidarity and cooperation between members of the Islamic Ummah is not only a foundational basis for our foreign policy, but is also an element of faith for us.

5. The guiding principles of this vision were laid by the Father of the Nation, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, who described Pakistan's policy towards the Islamic States as one of abiding 'friendship and goodwill. Over the years, Pakistan has remained true to these ideals.

6. As a founding member of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Pakistan is fully committed to the vision of realizing the true potential of the Organization as the most effective and representative voice of the Muslim World. This vision would also serve as a guiding principle for the 48th Session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM).

7. The 48th Session comes at a critical juncture for the Islamic World: the people of Palestine and Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir are being denied their inalienable right to self- determination; the rising tide of Islamophobia and hate speech threatens Muslim communities across many parts of the world; millions of our Afghan brethren risk an uncertain future at the hands of hunger and disease. Similarly, the deleterious impact of the Covid-19 pandemic is yet to be fully contained.

8. Under these circumstances, the need for Islamic solidarity and cooperation is more pressing than ever and the Muslim Ummah has pinned its hopes on the OIC to chart out a joint Islamic action on all such wide ranging issues in the true spirit of Islamic solidarity.

9. During the course of our Chair of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers, Pakistan will sincerely endeavor to promote unity amongst the OIC Member states, advance the cause of justice for all Islamic people, including our Kashmiri and Palestinian brethren who are forced to live under illegal and suppressive occupations, and to achieve the mutually reinforcing goals of prosperity and development for the OIC Member States. Similarly, ensuring full and complete recovery from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic also remains a key priority for us.

10. The proposed theme of the 48th OIC CFM, "Partnering for Unity, Justice and Development" fully encapsulates these priorities. Our overarching focus would be to build 'bridges' of cooperation and to construct 'partnerships' across the Islamic world.

11. It is also pertinent to mention that during our previous Chairmanship of the CFM in 2007-08, Pakistan led negotiations on the new OIC Charter, which was a manifestation of our conviction that the Organization must be kept attuned to the dynamic and fast-evolving needs of our times. In the same spirit, Pakistan will continue to work with other OIC Member States towards tangible and practical steps to further strengthen bonds of Islamic solidarity and cooperation.

12. We are confident that the 48th CFM would prove to be a landmark session in our combined efforts to chart a joint Islamic way forward. On our part, Pakistan remains committed to support all efforts aimed at promoting unity, brotherhood and prosperity amongst the Muslim world. On 48th Session of OIC Council of Foreign Ministers Islamabad, 22-" 23 March 2022, Pakistan Post is issuing the Commemorative Postage Stamp of Rs 20/- denomination each on March 23, 2022.

70th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations Between Pakistan and Spain (2022-2)

Year 2021 marks the 70th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Spain. Pakistan-Spain ties are marked by cordiality, underpinned by commonality of views and shared interests of democracy, pluralism, peace and security.

The relations have consistently improved over the years. Spain is one of the largest trading partners of Pakistan and a large Pakistani Diaspora in Spain acts as strong bridge between two cultures.

The commemorative postage stamp is being issued to celebrate the friendly relations between our two countries, portraying the images of Plaza de Cibeles, Spain and Islamia College. Peshawar.

Revised:- The Plaza de Cibeles is a classical symbol of Spanish art and architecture. It is a square with a neo-classical complex of marble sculptures with fountains that has become a symbol for the city of Madrid. It sits at the intersection of Calle de Alcala (running from east to west). Paseo de Recoletos (to the North) and Paseo del Prado (to the south). Plaza de Cibeles was originally named Plaza de Madrid, but in 1900, the City Council named it Plaza de Castelar, which was eventually replaced by its current name.

It is currently delimited by four prominent buildings: the Bank of Spain Building, the Palacio de Buenavista, the Palace of Linares ("Palacio de Linares"), and the Cybele Palace ("Palacio de Cibeles"). These constructions are located in four different neighborhoods from three different adjacent districts: Centro, Retiro, and Salamanca.

Over the years, Cybele Palace and her fountain have become symbolic monuments of the city. The Fountain of Cybele is found in the part of Madrid commonly called the Paseo de Recoletos. This fountain is named after Cybele, a Phrygian goddess.

Revised:- The Islamia College, Peshawar was founded by the personal initiatives led by Sir S.A Qayyum and his colleagues in 1913. It is one of the oldest institutions of higher education in Pakistan, and its historical roots are traced from the culminating point of the Aligarh Movement. The college provides higher learning in arts, languages, humanities, social sciences and modern sciences. In 1950 the University of Peshawar was founded as an offshoot of Islamia College Peshawar, with the later being associated to the university as a constituent college. Initially established as Islamia College, it was granted university status by the Government of Pakistan in 2008; the word college is retained in its title for preserving its historical roots.

The celebrations envisage a number of the cultural activities. The issuance of the postage stamp is the part of these celebrations. On 70th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between Pakistan and Spain, The Commemorative Postage Stamps are issued by Pakistan Post on January 14th, 2022.

70th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relation Between Pakistan and Japan (2022-1)

Pakistan and Japan enjoy traditionally friendly ties characterized by mutual trust, cooperation, people-to-people contacts, cultural and civilizational linkages. Historical links between the people of the two countries date back to pre-historic times. The Gandhara and Indus Valley civilizations and cotton trade were some of the means of old contact betweeen the two countries.

2. Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established on 28th April 1952. Pakistan was among the first in few countries that ratified the Japan Peace Treaty. Unlinke majority Asian countries, Pakistan waived War Reparations due from Japan. During the 1951 San Francisco Peace Conference, Pakistan argued that Japan should be treated with respact and not with vengeance. Post War Japan's first ever Trade Agreement was with Pakistan. Pakistan was also one of the first countries that established a Trade Office in Japan (1948), while the latter also set up its earliest Trade office in Karachi that catered to the entire region. Textiles was the only industry initially allowed to operate by the US in Japan. Hence, Pakistan played a leading role in Japan's post war economic revival by exporting large amounts of cotton and jute to Japan on deferred payments. Japan in return provided us with textile machinery in lieu of our exports.

3. During the Korean War and in the Cold War, Pakistan and Japan found themselves on the same side of the divide. Within the first decade of Pakistan's independence, some 50 multinational Japanese companies had already set up their offices, mainly for trading purposes. The third overseas branch of the Bank of Tokyo was established in Karachi in 1953 and the metropolitan was also selected for opening the second office of the Japan External Trade Organization. After the US, Pakistan was the second largest trading partner of Japan, mainly catering to Japan's need for raw material, such as jute and cotton, and fulfilling over 50 percent of their requirement. During the 1960s, Pakistan occupied a prominent place in the allocation of Japanese assistance to the developing world and remained among the top recipients in the region, Japanese assistance came in the form of Yen Loan Assistance for development projects, grant assistance for social sector projects and technical cooperation for technology transfer and human resource development.

Japanese assistance was used for mega projects as well as for industrialization. Development projects of significance that were funded by Japan include the telephone exchanges throughout Pakistan, Thermal Power Station Jamshoro, Indus Highway, Kohat tunnel, Bin Qasim Thermal Power Station, the Construction Machinery Training Centre, Pakistan's first ever dedicated Children's Hospital, and countless others in the social sectors.

5. In the 1980's bilateral relations were further bolstered due to Pakistan's role in securing the withdrawal of the Soviet forces from Afghanistan and the sea lanes security through which Japan received bulk of its oil. Although bilateral relations saw a difficult phase following the nuclear tests conducted by Pakistan in 1998, the engagement at the political level continued.

6. The August 2000 visit to Pakistan by Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori signaled Japan's desire to continue highest-level engagement with Pakistan. President Pervez Musharraf visited Japan in 2000. Since 2001, Japan has also been highly appreciative of Pakistan's vital role in the War against terrorism. It also extended humanitarian assistance to Pakistan in the wake of 2005 earthquake.

7. During the visit of Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi to Pakistan in 2005, Pakistan-Japan Joint Declaration entitled "Pakistan-Japan at a new Frontier, Towards a Renewed, Enhanced and Robust relationship" was signed. Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz visited Japan in August 2005. Recognizing the geopolitical importance of Pakistan and appreciating its role in fighting terrorism, Japan announced further expanding strong collaboration at all levels.

8. Japan welcomed the 2007 return of democracy in Pakistan. It not only hosted the Friends of Democratic Pakistan and Donors' Conference in Tokyo in April 2009, but also pledged US$1 billion at the Conference. Japan also come forward to assist Pakistan in its flood relief and rescue operations. It announced contributions for flood relief and rehabilitation efforts at the Pakistan Development Forum in November 2010.

9. Pakistan on its part expressed its solidarity and support to the government and the people of Japan in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan in March 2011. Pakistan provided two C-130 aircraft loaded with relief goods to Japan. The Pakistani community in Japan went out of its way in helping the survivors by providing them food, disposable water bottles and other goods, and voluntarily worked in the shelters to provide them relief which was greatly appreciated by the Government of Japan. During the visit of President Asif Ali Zardari to Japan in 2011, the two sides signed the Joint Statement on Japan- Pakistan Comprehensive Partnership, which provided an impetus to further bolster ties. Both the visits provided an impetus to strong bilateral ties.

10. Pakistan is now offering a Special Economic Zone to the Japanese with attractive benefits such as sole ownership, tax exemptions, repatriation of earnings and single window operations. The Board of Investment set up for this purpose is making efforts, whereas the National Industrial Parks, another organization under the Industries Ministry, is offering developed industrial estates in different provinces at very reasonable terms. Japanese businessmen as well as the Japanese government have been in discussions with their counterparts on this matter. Such combined efforts portraying public-private partnership would bring about meaningful results to attract joint ventures for Pakistan, which in turn would provide job and business opportunities to Pakistanis.

11. Moreover, Pakistan among other things is now focusing on exports of Agri products to Japan. In 2020, Pakistan became the largest exporter of dates to Japan. Pakistan's mango exports to Japan have also witnessed an exponential increase in the last two years. There is a natural complementarily between the two countries in the field of Pakistani manpower export to Japan as Japan is witnessing a shrinking population and Pakistan has a young population. The two sides have signed MoUs such as: Technical Intern Training Programme as well as Specified Skilled Workers Programme under which Pakistan foresees semi- skilled and highly skilled workers (IT Sector) making their way to the Japanese market in the near future.

12. In September 2021, the Foreign Minister of the two countries met on the sidelines of UNGA. Pakistan in August 2021, helped in Japan's evacuation efforts from Afghanistan which has been greatly appreciated by the Japanese government. In May 2021, Prime Minister Imran Khan became the first ever Prime Minister of Pakistan to give a keynote address at the "Future of Asia" conference organized

by Nikkei Inc. Another recent milestone was the signing of the MoU on Defence Cooperation between the two countries. On the economic and trade front, Toyota Japan provided a fresh investment of USD100 million for assembling hybrid vehicles in Pakistan.

13. To mark the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 2022, several events have been planned to be held throughout the year both in Japan and Pakistan to befittingly commemorate the years long friendship between the two countries.

On 70th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relation Between Pakistan and Japan, Pakistan Post is issuing the Commemorative Postage Stamp of Rs 20/- denomination on January 1, 2022.

THE 70TH ANNIVERSARY OF DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS BETWEEN PAKISTAN AND THAILAND, December 31, 2021 (2021-13)

Pakistan and Thailand enjoy close and cordial ties and established diplomatic relationship on 10 October 1951. Bilateral relations between Pakistan and Thailand based on shared principles and mutual interests, have consistently grown over the years. Pakistan and Thailand are both hubs and enjoy strategic location in their respective regions.

Both countries have age-old histories of ancient civilization and have been connected by a common cultural linkage through Buddhism and the Gandhara civilization that flourished in the city of Taxila. Taxila meaning 'City of Cut Stone, is one of most significant archaeological sites in Asia. It was historically known as "TAKSHAHILA". The recorded history of Taxila starts from 6th century BC when Gandharan kingdom became part of the Achaemenid Empire of Persia. It is very  well known for being center of Buddhism in the country. Many statutes of Lord Buddha depicting the various stages of his life have been excavated and are currently present in Taxila Museum.

Taxila was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980 in particular for the ruins of the four settlement sites which "reveal the pattern of urban evolution on the Indian subcontinent through more than five centuries" Taxila is a vast serial site that includes a Mesolithic cave and the archaeological remains of four early settlement sites i.e. Buddhist monasteries, Muslim Mosque and Madrassa. The ruins of the four settlement sites reveal the pattern of urban evolution on the Indo-Pak subcontinent through more than five centuries.

The archaeological sites of Saraikala, Bhir, Sirkap, and Sirsukh are of unique importance in illustrating the evolution of urban settlement on the Indo-Pak subcontinent. The prehistoric mound of Saraikala represents the earliest settlement of Taxila, with evidence of Neolithic, Bronze Age, and Iron Age occupation. The Bhir mound is the earliest historic city of Taxila, and was probably founded in the 6th century BC.Its stone walls, house foundations, and winning streets represent the earliest forms of urbanization on the subcontinent.

The Taxila serial sites also includes Khanpur cave, which has produced stratified micro lithic tools of the Mesolithic period, and a number of Buddhist monasteries and stupas of various periods. Buddhist monuments erected throughout the Taxila valley have transformed it into a religious heartland and a destination for pilgrims from as far a field as Central Asia, Thailand and China. The Buddhist archaeological sites at Taxila include the Dharmarajika complex and stupa, the Khader Mohra grouping, the Kalawan grouping, the Giri monasteries, the Kunala stupa and monastery, the Jandial complex, the Lalchack and the Badalpur stupa remains and monasteries, the Mohra Moradu monastic remains, the Pipplian and the Jaulian remains, and the Bahalar stupa and remains. The Giri complex also includes the remains of a three-doomed Muslim mosque, ziarat (tomb), and madrassa (school) of the medieval period. This Commemorative Postage Stamp is issued by Pakistan Post on 31-12-2021.

On 70th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between Pakistan and Thailand. The Commemorative Postage Stamps are issued by Pakistan Post of Rs 20/- each denomination on December 31, 2021.

GOLDEN JUBILEE OF HANGOR DAY December 9, 2021 (2021-12)

Pakistan Navy Submarine (PNS/M) HANGOR during 1971 war destroyed/ sank Indian Navy Ship (INS) KHUKRI and severely damaged INS KIRPAN on 09 Dec 1971. Every year Pakistan Navy celebrates the occasion on 09 Dec as HANGOR Day to pay ribute to the Submarine crew for their heroic action. In order to celebrate 50th/Golden Jubilee of HANGOR Day, 09 Dec 21 is being celebrated with full enthusiasm in line with the finest traditions of Pakistan Navy.

Pakistan Navy Submarine HANGOR was the first of 4 x Daphne type submarines acquired by Pakistan Navy from France. The submarine was commissioned on 01 December 1969 and arrived in Pakistan on December 1970. Since its induction in Pakistan Navy. submarine HANGOR remained an efficient unit of submarine squadron and Navy. Submarine HANGOR remained pride for Pakistan Navy in 1971 Indo-Pak war and its gallant action was a spectacular tactical battle resulting in sinking of Indian Navy Frigate KHUKRI and crippling of INS KIRPAN. It was a strategic overture of Pakistan Navy which effectively thwarted and marginalized the Indian aggression.

Sinking of KHUKRI crippled Indian Navy's morale and it nefarious designs of subsequent attacks on Karachi. This outstanding action took place 30 miles south east of 'Diu Head' on west coast of India. The event is distinguished in Naval history for being the first successful kill by a conventional submarine after World War-II. Due to the professional competence and outstanding leadership of Commanding Officer, enemy was not able to detect the submarine HANGOR. Submarine remained underwater for a long time and successfully returned Karachi harbor on 13 December 1971 after mortifying Indian pride. Despite potential hazards, the morale onboard HANGOR never wilted,

In recognition of courage & valour displayed by the valiant crew of HANGOR, four Sitara-e-Jurrat, six Tamgha-e-Jurrat and fourteen Imtiazi Asnaad were conferred upon hem.

This is the highest number of operational gallantry awards given to a single unit of Pakistan Navy. In order to pay tribute to professional crew of HANGOR and their victorios & daring action, 9th December is celebrated as HANGOR Day each year in Pakistan Navy with zeal. and fervor. On 02 Jan 2006, PNS/M HANGOR was converted to serve as a museum ship at Pakistan Maritime as a symbol of courage and victory.

On Golden Jubilee of HANGOR Day, Pakistan Post is issuing the Commemorative Postage Stamp of Rs 20/- denomination on December 9, 2021.