Like other parts of the World Post Day was celebrated with full zeal and fervour in Pakistan on Thursday. The day marked the 135th anniversary of the Universal Postal Union, which is specialised agency of the United Nations and has transformed the whole world into a single postal territory for transmission and delivery of mail.
In Pakistan visits of schools children to GPOs were organised, functions were held at the provincial headquarters by respective Postmasters General. In Islamabad a special function was arranged at Postal Staff College where Communications Secretary Saifullah Sherwani was the chief guest.
Speaking on the occasion secretary communications highlighted the role of the UPU in regulating, monitoring and development of postal services throughout the world. He informed the audience that provisions of universal postal service forms the bedrock of UPU mission. He said that UPU undertakes world-wide quality of service testing through the use of test letters and parcels. The chief guest assured full support to Pakistan Post in all its efforts for improvement and modernisation of postal services in Pakistan.
Director General Pakistan Post Muhammad Ahmed Mian said that his institution is an active member of UPU and chairman of many committees. He also highlighted the role of UPU in development of postal services in Pakistan.
The DG Pakistan Post informed that so far 810 motorcycles have been distributed among the delivery staff utilising the UPU quality of service fund involving a sum of $8,60360.00 in three phases. He said that Pakistan Post has also received $72,000 from UPU to replace vehicles in earthquake-hit areas.
Similarly a project for the installation of surveillance system has been approved for an amount of $2,03,788 which is being currently implemented. He also said that an internet-based inquiry software has been installed with the help of UPU which has reduced enquiry time of foreign express mail from months to hours.