Hundred Years of Postcard Service (December 27, 1980)

Introduced for the first time in 1879, the postcard has completed 100 years of its existence in the sub-continent. Brown in colour the first postcard was priced at 1/4 Anna. In the same year a blue coloured 1/6 Anna international single postcard was introduced. This was followed in 1883 by the Introduction of inland and inter-national reply postcards which enjoyed universal popularity on account of the convenience they brought to the public at a reasonable price. It was only in 1971 that the international reply postcard was abolished.
Although the postcard is traditionally issued and sold by the post office, the use of privately manufactured postcards is also admissible for transmission by post after affixing postage stamps of the required value; Currently priced at paisa 20, the postcard continues to be well within the reach of the lowest income strata of the society particularly in the rural areas of the country.
To commemorate the 100 years of Postcard service, Pakistan Post Office is issuing one postage stamp of 40 Paisa denomination on the 27th December, 1980.

Hundred Years of Money Order Service (December 20, 1980)

Postal money order is the common man’s mode of remittance of money, and this service has been in operation in this sub-continent for the last 100 years.
Prior to 1880, transmission of money was undertaken by Government Treasuries. But Post Office net work being much wider than the Government Treasuries this function naturally devolved on to Post Office Department. The Money Order Service was started on 1st January, 1880 and to this day it has been the chief mode of remittance of moderate sums of money notwithstanding the increasingly stiff competition posed by the commercial banks.
Postal money order has had its share of evolution. Initially, the amount remitted through money order was collected by the payee from the post office. The maximum amount that could be sent through a single money order was fixed at Rs. 150/- only. From 1st October, 1884, payment was arranged to be made to the payee at his door step. Almost simultaneously telegraphic money order service was also introduced. In 1889, the maximum limit of amount that could be remitted by a money order was raised from Rs. 150/- to Rs. 600/- which limit remained unchanged till 1963 when it was further raised to Rs. 1,000/-. in case of remittance received from abroad through commercial banks, however, the limit was set at Rs. 5,000/-.
The commission charged by the Post Office on the money order too has undergone revision from time to time. The last revision was made in July 1979, when the minimum commission for a money order was slightly increased from Paisa 30 (for amounts upto Rs. 20/-) to Paisa 75 for an amount upto Rs. 50/- and to Rs. 1.50 for any amount from Rs. 51/- to Rs. 100/-; for amounts in excess of Rs. 100/- the commission was reduced from Paisa 20 for every Rs. 10/- or part thereof to Paisa 50 for every Rs. 50/- or part thereof. Thus the charge for a money order for the maximum amount of Rs. 1,000/- was reduced from Rs. 20/- to Rs. 10.50. The objective was to encourage remittances of higher amounts through money order.
To commemorate the 100 years of Money Order Service, Pakistan Post Office is issuing one postage stamp of 40 Paisa denomination on the 20th December, 1980.

Advent of 15th Century Hijra (November 10, 1980)

Around the 4th year of the caliphate of Hazrat Umar may God be pleased with him) he took the momentous decision in his capacity as Khalifat ul Muslameen to link the Muslim era with one of the most notable event in. the life of the Prophet of Islam. This event in popular parlance is referred to as the Hijra by which term, of course, is meant the event of the prophet leaving Mecca, his home town, for a distant place that afterwards came to be called Madinatun Nabi or City of the Prophet — Madina for short. The real significance of the event lies in the fact that the Prophet, in order to fulfil his mission of disseminating the divine message to mankind, had to undergo the supreme sacrifice of giving up all his contacts with Mecca, that is to say, the world where he had lived, moved and had his being and had to undertake an arduous journey to a distant and unfamiliar place in order to fulfil his mission. It is that act of sacrifice symbolized by the event of founder of Islam leaving Mecca for Madina which lies at the head of Muslim culture and has served for the succeeding generations of Muslims as stimulus to enable them to transcend their narrow, petty personal purposes with a view to working for a larger divine purpose. The message of the Hijra is that when the call of duty so demands Muslims should be prepared to give up everything that they haveeven their contacts with their hearth and home or with their kith and kin to explore the possibility of being able to do the noble work which they are called upon by their faith to accomplish.
The end of one century of the Hijra calendar and the beginning of another marks the occasion for the renewal of every Muslim’s triple-fold commitment to the fundamental beliefs, tenets and concepts of Islam, to the strengthening of the Ummah’s unity and to the re-emergence of a dynamic Muslim civilization in order to promote true equality, justice, universal peace, progress and happiness for all man-kind. The Hijra Centenary is not an Eid or an occasion for religious ritual — it is primarily a time for critical reappraisal and cultural regeneration. The occasion of the turn of the Hijra Century is part and parcel of the onward march of history in which the future role of Islam is as important as its role in the past. Right now, the Ummah have to evaluate their role in the future to achieve its objective.
The Hijra Centenary Commemorations will help to create among Muslims an awareness that they have, throughout history, been in the vanguard of socio-economic change and innovation as a spiritual, moral and cultural force that for the greater part of recorded history Muslims have been the chief source of civilized behaviour in all fields of human endeavour.
The Hijra Centenary Commemorations will help to create among the Muslims a sense of history together with a sense of destiny which proclaims that, despite the recent past, the next phase of history will witness the re-emergence of Islam as a living, dynamic and growing civilization.
The Hijra Centenary Commemorations will help to spread the message of Islam and to encourage direct and purposeful studies of Islam in all major languages. It will also ensure the participation of Muslims in all countries and a tall levels in the celebrations. The Hijra Centenary Commemorations will also be an occasion to inspire Muslim scholars, students, authors, creative thinkers, journalists, artists and publishers to attain higher levels of excellence in their fields in the service of Islam.
The Sixth Islamic Foreign Ministers’ Conference held in Jeddah, on 12-15 July, 1975, decided to celebrate the beginning of the fifteenth century Hijra throughout the world and asked the Secretary-General to prepare studies and proposals in this connection. Consequently, the Seventh Islamic Foreign Ministers’ Conference held in Istanbul on 12-15 May, 1976, set up a twelve-state preparatory committee for the Hijra Centenary Year Commemorations. Pakistan is a member of this Committee.
The Preparatory Committee held three sessions in 1977 under the chairmanship of H.E. Fouad Al-Khatib, representative of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. After carefully considering the report of the Committee of Experts appointed by the Secretary-General which met in London on 23-27 July, 1976, under the chairman-ship of Mr. Salem Azzam, Secretary-General, Islamic Council of Europe, the Preparatory Committee made recommendations to the Eighth Islamic Foreign Ministers’ Conference held in Tripoli, Libya, considered the resolution adopted by the Seventh Islamic Foreign Ministers’ Conference and the programme laid down by the Preparatory Committee and approved the programme with its budget for celebrating the advent of 15th Century Hijra. In view of the decisions and recommendations of the Islamic Foreign Ministers’ Conferences from time to time, the Council of Advisers, in their meeting held on 30th April, 1978, decided to form a National Committee in Pakistan to chalk out a befitting programme for the celebrations. A general body meeting of the Pakistan National Committee met on 5th November, 1979, under the chairmanship of Gen. Mohammad Zia-ul-Haq, President of Pakistan and approved the National Programme, which includes the following projects:
1. Establishment of a Literacy Commission.
2. A Mass Contact Drive.
3. Establishment of an Islamic University with a Difference.
4. Publication of an Islamic Atlas.
5. Holding of an International Conference on the Contribution of Islam to Human Civilization and Culture.
6. Holding of an International Conference on Science in Islamic Polity — its Past, Present and Future.
7. Exhibition of Photographs and Calligraphy.
8. Publication of a book “Muslim World Today”.
9. Issue of Stamps, Coins, etc.v 10. An International Muslim Jurists’ Conference.
11. Construction of Hijra Manzils.
12. Seminars at Universities.
13. Youth Festivals.
14. Lecture Series.
15. Publication of a book on Islam in South Asia.
16. Holding of a Symposium on Islamic Arts, Architecture and Archaeology.
17. Holding of a National Conference of Muslim Women.
18. Publication of books for children.
19. Holding of a Symposium on Islam and Science.
20. Collection of books, reprints, translation, etc.
21. Preparations of documentary films.
22. Institution of Hijra Prize.
23. Institution of Hijra Medal.
24. Holding of a Seerat Colloquium.
25. Historical and Cultural Research.
Besides, the Provincial Governments have their own programme of celebrations based on their local environments.
The national programme will run concurrently with the international programme being implemented by all the Islamic Governments.
The Muslims at one time were at the pinnacle of glory. They lost their destiny because they lost the spirit of research and inquiry. After centuries of slumber the Muslim nations are stirring up. The sense of Islamic solidarity — one of the manifestations of their re-emergence — has been gaining momentum during the last and the present century. “Let us”, as exhorted by President Mohammad Zia—ul-Haq in his address to the nation on 19th November, 1979, “on the advent of the ‘15th Century Hijra, resolve to dedicate our lives to the glory and greatness of Islam. We should create a society where social justice prevails, where there is no poverty and ignorance, where honesty and hard work are pursued and where research and a spirit of inquiry prevail. Let us all turn to Allah and pray that He may bless our efforts with success.
To commemorate the Advent of 15th Century Hijra, Pakistan Post Office is issuing three postage stamps of 40P, Rs. 2/- and Rs. 3/ denominations and a Souvenir Sheet of Rs. 4/- denomination on the 1st Moharramul-Haram, 1401 Hijra.
The Souvenir Sheet is valid for the pre-payment of postage.

The Aga Khan Award for Architecture (October 23, 1980)

1. His Highness the Aga Khan established the Aga Khan Award for Architecture in 1977. The main purpose of the award is to encourage architectural excellence in the Islamic world. The award, carrying an amount upto US $ 500.000 would be given after every 3 years for completed projects in the areas of Housing, Public Buildings and Community Planning. The award will be conferred in recognition of projects which demonstrate architectural excellence at all levels. Award-winning buildings must preserve the traditional character and identity of a region and reflect the demands and aspirations of the twentieth century. This award also seeks to publicize the successful buildings as models of architectural excellence throughout the Muslim world.
2. The nominations for the award-winning projects were made by local professionals throughout the. Muslim world from Morocco to Indonesia. Approximately 200 projects were screened and evaluated by a team of tech-nical experts. The final recommendations were then considered by the Award Master Jury, a distinguished International panel of architects and planners from both Muslim and non-Muslim world. The Master Jury selected the criteria. for winning projects from the five seminars which took place in the Muslim world under the auspices of the Aga Khan Award. The seminars provided an opportunity to bring together professionals representing many disciplines, and dealing with important topics in contemporary Islamic Architecture such as conservation, housing, symbolism and public spaces.
3. The Master Jury has finally met and selected the winners of the First Aga Khan Award for Architecture. The award will be given at a ceremony in Lahore, Pakistan, on 23rd October, 1980, in a public function to be held in Shalimar Gardens. Besides the prize distribution ceremony the posters of the winning projects will also be displayed.
4. Pakistan Post Office is issuing a stamp of Rs. 2/- denomination to commemorate The First Aga Khan Award for Architecture.

Birth Centenary of Hafiz Mahmood Shairani (October 5, 1980)

Hafiz Mahmood Shairani, great critic and renowned scholar of the sub-continent, was born at Tonk, Rajputana, on 5th October, 1880. He received his early education on the conventional pattern. He was admitted to the University Oriental College, Lahore, in 1897 and passed Honours in Persian examination in 1901. In 1904 Mahmood Shairani proceeded to England to study law and joined Lincoln’s Inn. He earned the honour of being a founder member of the Pak-Islamic Society. London and served it, first as Joint Secretary and later as Secretary. In 1906 his father passed away and he had to leave his education of law incomplete and got appointment as an Adviser of Oriental Affairs in the famous Luzac and Company.
2. In 1913 Mahmood Shairani came to his home for a short stay but could not return to England due to the breaking out of the First World War. During those idle years he started writing his scholarly essays on the ‘History of Persian, Literature’. Some of his essays which were published in 1921 drew wide applause from every nook and corner of the sub-continent. In 1922 Mahmood Shairani joined Islamia College, Lahore, as a lecturer In 1928 his marvelous book “Punjab main Urdu” was published which is a milestone for the linguistics of the Urdu language. The same year a chair for the Urdu Language was created in the Punjab University and he was selected for the post.
3. Although essentially a scholar of Persian language and literature, Hafiz Mahmood Shairani held complete mastery over a field of diversified subjects such as Urdu language, literature and linguistics, history of Muslims of Iran, Central Asia and India, numismatics and calligraphy. Mahmood Shairani went on retirement in 1 940 and breathed his last on 15th February, 1946.
4. As almost all of his published works are in Urdu, Shairani and his valuable research-works are not very well known in Europe. An academy namely MAJLIS-E-YADGARI-E-HAFIZ MAHMOOD SHAIRANI has been established at Lahore to celebrate the Centenary of this great scholar and also to publish his remaining works.
5. Apart from scores of his scholarly articles the following works of Hafiz Mahmood Shairani have been published in book form;
1. “Rise and Progress of Mohometanism” by Henry Stubbe (edited) London 1911.
2.“Punjab main Urdu” - Lahore 1928.
3.“Majmua-i-Naghz” By Qudrat Ullah Qasim (edited) Lahore 1933.
4.“Tanquid-i-Shirul Ajam” - Delhi 1942.
5.“Firdausi Par Char Maqalay” - Delhi 1942
6.“Prithi Raj Rasa”- Delhi 1943
7.“Khaliq Bari”- Delhi 1944
8.“Maqafat-i-Shairani” in seven Volumes - Lahore 1966 to 1976.
6. Pakistan Post Office is issuing a stamp of 40-paisa denomination on 5th October,
1980, to commemorate the birth centenary of Hafiz Mahmood Shairani,

"World Tourism Conference, Manila 80" (September 27, 1980)

The First World Tourism Conference has been organized in Manila, by the World Tourism Organization. The conference would determine the role of Tourism and its importance for the Society. The conference has the following aims:-
a) To clarify the true nature of tourism in the human social, educational, cultural and political context of the present day world and to identify its role in individual and group relations within the framework of different countries of the world.
b) To highlight the responsibilities incumbent on governments about tourism, beyond strictly economic and commercial considerations.
c) To deal with the questions concerning both states and the private sector which require immediate attention for harmonious development of tourism.
With these aims in view more than one hundred representatives of nations, both in the public and private sectors, will be participating in the Conference. The forum will enable them to discuss their problems, objectives and future plans in the light of the aims of the Conference. Tourism is recognized as an industry in the modern World. It can be classified as a complex industry because it covers various aspects of human life such as human relations, development projects, transport, accommodations, entertainment, handicrafts and culture; hence the development of Tourism leads to development of a country in various fields.
In view of the importance of this conference which is being held on 27th of September, 1980 in Manila, Philippines, Pakistan Post Office is issuing an over print stamp of Re. 1/- denomination to commemorate the occasion.

75 Years of Command and Staff College, Quetta (September 18, 1980)

The institution now known as the Command and Staff College Quetta, was established on 1st July, 1905, at Deolali, India, and was named as ‘Indian Staff College’. In 1907 the College moved to Quetta and in 1 908 its name was changed to ‘Staff College Quetta’.
Being the premier institution of the Pakistan Army, the Staff College embodies the hopes and aspirations of members of its land forces, and indeed of the entire nation. Ever-since its inception the College has been discharging admirably its honourable mission of training officers for command and staff assignments.
Some of the outstanding personalities of international repute who have served in the College as instructors or were trained as students are Field Marshals Montgomery, Auchinleck, Slim, Blarney (Australia) Arif (Iraq), Muhammad Ayub Khan. General Lord lsmay, General Muhammad Musa Khan, General A.M. Yahya Khan, and General M. Zia-ul-Haq.
The Owl and the Cross Swords with the Persian inscription “Pir Sho Beyamoz Saadi” was the emblem of the College from 1905 to 1979. The Owl was symbolic of wisdom and the Swords were those of Mars, the Roman god of War.
In the new emblem which was adopted on 4th July, 1979 the owl has been replaced by the word Iqra symbolizing the first Command of the Almighty to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him), meaning “Read in the name of Lord” and the Swords have been Islamized in shape and size. The Persian inscription on the Crest, however, stays in the New Emblem.
The old Building of College was an imposing and majestic structure reminiscent of the old world grandeur. It was, however, damaged by Quetta earthquake of 1935, and it was decided to rebuild the Staff College in earthquake-proof-construction.
The new Building designed by M/s. Tajuddin M. Bahamani has three main sections, i.e. the Main Building, the Model rooms and the Auditorium and is protected against seismic disturbances. in design the building has an absolutely new form which signifies the past. The design is octagonal, with different modulus and crystal forms in elevational treatment, which produce a bold and strong effect worthy of the Institution. In order to retain certain features of the Old Building, the New Building also has a clock-tower with dials on three sides. The flag post rests a top the clock-tower. The stepped-garden in front of the Building and the vast podium depict Moghul Architecture.
To Mark the 75th Anniversary of this unique institution Pakistan Post Office is issuing a commemorative postage stamp of Rupee One value on the 18th September, 1980 to coincide with its Jubilee Celebrations.

100 Years of Karachi Port Management 1880-1980 (July 15, 1980)

The Port of Karachi was a natural anchorage in the year 1839. Thereafter, proposals for its development to meet the strategic and economic needs of the hinterland were mooted. As the development work gained pace, the government appointed a Committee of officials and businessmen who recommended setting up Karachi Harbour Board, which came into existence on 10th March 1880. This Board was later superseded by the Karachi Port Trust which was set up in 1887.
With the establishment of Pakistan in 1947, the Port of Karachi overnight became the life-line of the country. The need for remodeling and reconstruction of its physically outlived and deteriorated berthing facilities was acutely felt, and a project for the reconstruc-tion of thirteen general cargo berths at East Wharves was immediately initiated. This project was completed in 1964. One temporary oil berth was also added. The Port’s capacity was thus increased from 1 million tons each of dry general cargo and oil, to about 3.2 million tons of dry general cargo and 2 million tons of oil. Thereafter, the Second Development Phase was launched, increasing the Port’s capacity from 3.2 to 5 million tons of dry general cargo and from 2 to 5 million tons of oil.
To meet the continuously increasing demands of trade and shipping, the Third Development Phase was launched in 1974, and is due for completion during 1980-81. When completed, it will raise the dry general cargo handling capacity to 6 million tons, rail handling capacity of West Wharves Berths from 300 to 1000 wagons per day, and carve additional capacity for handling 40,000 TEUS of containers, LASH, and RO-Ro traffic.
Simultaneous action was taken to launch the Fourth Development Phase in 1975. This Phase will be completed by end of 1980, increasing the oil handling capacity from 5 to 10 million tons. Karachi Port handles the entire sea-borne trade of Pakistan, which today comprises about 8 million tons of dry cargo, including food grains, fertilizer and cement imports; rice and cotton exports; and rapidly increasing volume of container, roll-on, roll-off and lash traffic. The Port also handles about million tons of crude oil, POL and liquid build traffic. This represents Rs. 50 billions of water-borne commerce, and is the back-bone of the economic resurgence of Pakistan, made possible by the Port of Karachi with its natural harbour, multi-purpose shipping berths and array of cargo handling facilities.
To commemorate one hundred years of independent Port Management, Pakistan Post Office is issuing a special stamp on 15.7.80.
The stamp depicts in a befitting manner the transformation of an enchorage, delineated on the right, into a modern buzzing sea-port. The O.P.IV shown in the centre, the latest addition to the port, is a modern oil terminal capable of handling 5 million tons of oil per annum. The light house, shown on the left, built at a height of 149 feet above sea level, beacons ships within a radius of 18 mites, and is a symbol of the Port of Karachi.

11th Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers, Islamabad (May 17, 1980)

To commemorate the 11th Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers being held at Islamabad from 17th to 21 st May, 1980, Pakistan Post Office is issuing a postage stamp of Re 1/- denomination on the inaugural day of Conference, 17th May, 1980.
The organisation of the Islamic Conference was established when the Heads of the Islamic States met for the first time at Rabat in 1969, in the wake of the sacrilegious act of burning of holy Al-Aqsa Mosque in August of that year. The leaders participating in that Summit expressed their conviction that their common creed constituted a powerful factor bringing their people closer toge-ther and fostering understanding between them. They declared that their Governments would consult each other with a view to promoting among them close cooperation and mutual assistance in the economic, cultural and spiritual fields, inspired by the immortal teachings of Islam.
The Organisation of the Islamic Conference now comprises 42 states of which Egypt and Afghanistan are under suspension. Its area of work extends to all aspects of cooperation among one billion Muslims all around the world. In only a decade of its existence, the Islamic Conference has been able to establish close cooperation among member states in the political, economic and cultural fields and has set up institutions which would foster such cooperation. Pakistan has always played a very active and constructive role in the affairs of the Islamic Conference. The 2nd Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers was held at Karachi in December, 1970 and in 1974 it had the honour to host the 2nd Islamic Summit at Lahore. The First Session of the Islamic Commission for Economic, Cultural and Social Welfare was also held at Karachi in Jan-uary, 1977 and in 1980 it hosted the Extraordinary Session of the Islamic Conference. The Eleventh Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers is being held in Islamabad from 17th to 21st of May, 1980. The agenda of the Conference includes a number of items of great political significance to the Islamic world and relating to cooperation among Islamic countries in the economic, social and cultural fields. On top of the list are the Middle East, Palestine and Afghanistan as well as the struggle against colonialism and racial discrimination in Namibia and South Africa. The Conference is also expected to consider collective security of the Islamic Ummah, making Gulf a zone of peace, free from Super-Power rivalry, the proposal to hold Islamic Summits at regular intervals as well as the Brandt Commission’s report.

Fifth Asian Congress od Paediatric Surgery, Karachi (February 16, 1980)

Surgery of children for various malformations has been practiced by surgeons since long but it was only in 1860 that the first book on paediatric surgery was published by Cooper Forester in England. Children’s Hospitals in London and Paris were the first to provide specialized surgical care to the child. However, the first time specialists of Surgery of Children became known as Paediatric Surgeons was in 1920. In Pakistan the first Paediatric Surgery unit was founded in 1962. At present there are two professorial units at Multan and Karachi. The third unit is to start soon at Lahore.
It is the proud privilege of Pakistan to host the 5th Asian Congress of Paediatric Surgery. Indeed it is the first time that an International meeting in any branch of Surgery is being held in Pakistan. The Asian Congress is held every two years. The first meeting was held in Tokyo (Japan) in 1972 at which the Asian Association of Paediatric Surgeons was founded. A great majority of the Asian Countries are represented in this Association and Pakistan is also one of its members.
To commemorate the 5th Asian Congress of Paediatric Surgery, Pakistan Post Office is issuing a postage stamp of 50 paisa value on 16th February, 1980.

Singapore Print Definitives (January 15, 1980)

Pakistan Post Office is introducing a special series of postage stamps (Public and Service) in the Paisa values with three stamps of 10 Paisa, 15 Paisa and 40 Paisa denominations jr-i different geometric leaf and floral patterns on 15th January, 1980. The following values have been included in the series in three different geometrical leaf and floral pattern designs: I. Public and Service postage stamps of 10 Paisa, 15 Paisa, 25 Paisa and 35 Paisa values are in a geometric pattern.
II. Public and Service postage stamps of 40 Paisa value are in a leaf pattern design.
III Public and Service postage stamps of 50 Paisa and 80 Paisa are in a different leaf and floral pattern design.
in addition to the above mentioned stamps in the new series, the following existing definitive postage stamps in the Paisa values in the designs mentioned against each are also currently in use:
Khyber Pass: 1 Paisa, 2 Paisa, 3 Paisa, 5 Paisa & 7 Paisa
Minar-e-Qarardad-e-Pakistan; 2 Paisa, 3 Paisa & 5 Paisa
Shalimar Garden; 10 Paisa, 13 Paisa, 15 Paisa, 20 Paisa, 25 Paisa, 40 Paisa,50 Paisa, 75 Paisa & 90 Paisa
Tractor ; 10 Paisa, 20 Paisa, 25 Paisa,40 Paisa, 50 Paisa, 60 Paisa, 75 Paisa & 90 Paisa
. Public and Service postage stamps of 25 Paisa, 35 Paisa, 50 Paisa and 80 Paisa values in the new series will be released shortly.

25 Years of PIA Services (January 10, 1980)

The progress and development of civil aviation, so far as Pakistan is concerned, coincides with the phenomenal growth and development of P1A.
From the start, air travel was an indispensable necessity to connect the two wings which constituted Pakistan till 1971. In fact, Pakistan’s first airline was formed even before the birth of the country itself. Orient Airways — where PIA’s roots lie —began operations between Calcutta and Rangoon ten months before independence. Following independence it easily took on the responsibility of linking East and West Pakistan.
Orient Airways operated successfully till 1954. By then, it needed major expan-sion in fleet, modernization of aircraft and extension of routes to compete with international carriers. The Government of Pakistan decided to take over civil aviation and Pakistan International Airlines was formed as a department of the Ministry of Defence. Orient Airways merged into PIA, which became a Corporation by an Act of Government in 1955. In February 1955 PIA started international operations with a Super-Constellation service between Karachi and London. In 1960 it became the first Asian airline to fly pure jet aircraft with a leased Boeing 707; it was the first Asian airline to receive transit rights in Moscow and the first non-communist carrier to fly to Peking. PIA is also one of the few airlines in the world to make a profit regularly. To promote civil aviation within Pakistan PIA popularised air travel with a ‘no frills’ coach service, reduced fares, introduced jet air-craft on domestic routes and modernized airport in small towns. Today PIA is prominent among international airlines. It flies to 61 cities in 4 continents and has a rapidly growing fleet of B747s, DC l0s, and soon the Airbus A300 will be inducted into service; It has acquired sophisticated engineering and training facilities and offers these services to 29 other airlines.
To keep pace with increasing passengers, fleet and freight, PIA is constructing million dollar facilities which include a computerised reservations and check-in system, a new terminal which is already in operation at Karachi Airport, a wide-body aircraft hanger, larger booking offices, a cargo terminal and extensive catering services.
As Pakistan’s biggest corporation PIA contributes significantly to the socio-economic progress of the country by providing the transportation facilities for passengers and mail; by promoting sports, encouraging tourism industry, building hotels, running poultry breeding farms and increasing trade. As the flag carrier, it is helping to make Pakistan better known round the world.
To commemorate 25 years of PIA service, Pakistan Post Office is issuing a postage stamp of Re I denomination on 10th January 1980.