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.