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Pakistan Post

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Pakistan Post
Native name
پاکستان ڈاک
FormerlyDepartment of Post & Telegraph
Company typeState-owned enterprise
IndustryPostal Service, Courier
Founded14 August 1947; 77 years ago (14 August 1947)
HeadquartersAiwan-e-Sanat-o-Tijarat G-8/4 Islamabad,
Capital Territory,
Pakistan 44000
Number of locations
GPOs - 85, Sub Offices - 3109, Extradepartmental Post Office - 7142
Key people
  • Asad Mehmood
    (Federal Minister for Communications)
  • Khurram Agha
    (Federal Secretary, Communications)
  • Khalid Javed
    (Special Secretary, Communications)
  • samiullah Khan
    (Chairman & Director General)
ProductsCourier express services
Freight forwarding services
Logistics services
RevenueIn financial year 2020-21 - PKR - 15.62 billion
Number of employees
Sanctioned Posts (Permanent) - 28,866 Extradepartmental - 10,251
Websitepakpost.gov.pk

Pakistan Post (Urdu: پاکستان ڈاک) is a state enterprise which functions as Pakistan's primary and largest postal operator.[1] 49,502 employees through a vehicle fleet of 5,000 operate traditional "to the door" service from more than 13,419 post offices across the country, servicing over 50 million people. Pakistan Post operates under the autonomous "Postal Services Management Board" to deliver a full range of delivery, logistics and fulfillment services to customers.

In addition to its traditional role, Pakistan Post also offers services such as Postal Life Insurance and Pakistan Post Savings Bank. It also operates services on behalf of the federal and provincial governments, by acting as a collection point for tax and utility bills.[2]

Digital Franchise Post Offices (DFPOs)

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DFPOs are a relatively newer concept in Pakistan. Individual entrepreneurs are issued IDs by the Master Franchiser (Pakistan Post Foundation). They set up a franchise post office in their own location with their own investment. Until 27 April 2022 PPF has issued IDS to 3773 franchisees while 832 DFPOs have become functional.

Financial Action Task Force (FATF)

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In Mutual Evaluation Report (MER) 2019 Pakistan Post was mentioned in 13 observations. Since then the government has taken extensive steps to ensure FATF Compliance.

History

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Main article: Postage stamps and postal history of Pakistan
1st July 1852s Scinde Dawk stamp
Scinde Half Anna

Middle ages

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During the Mughul Empire and Samma dynasty, an early postal system developed along the banks of the Indus River in Sindh beginning in the 13th century. The system consisted of runners or "dak" (ڈاک) who would carry letters from one point to another and then hand it off to the next runner who would do the same.[3] Runners were paid according to distance traveled and weight of the letters. The system extended from Thatta in the south, through Kotri and Hyderabad and as far north as Sukkur. The system later expanded into lower Punjab (Multan and Bahawalpur). Letters could be exchanged by over two dozen runners before they reached their destination.

British period (1843-1947)

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On 17 February 1843, following the Battle of Miani, Sindh fell to the British followed by Punjab in 1845. Sir Bartle Frere became the Chief Commissioner of Sindh in 1850 and improved upon the postal system by introducing a cheap and standard rate for postage, independent of distance travelled.[4] In 1851, runners were replaced with horses and camels which proved to be beneficial as it quickly and efficiently transported mail, connecting government offices and post offices. In 1855, the Scinde Railway began taking over most mail routes however camels and horses were still used in regions where the railway had not yet reached. By 1886, the North Western State Railway was responsible for transporting most mail up and down the country. The postal system by now had been expanded from Karachi in the south to as far north as Gilgit.

Post-Independence period (1947-present)

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Pakistan Post was established following its independence from Britain under the modified Post Office Act VI, 1898[5] and became operation on 14 August 1947. Pakistan Post fell under the Department of Posts and Telegraph in the Ministry of Communications. The Office of the Postmaster General was established in Lahore.[5] On 10 November 1947, Pakistan joined the Universal Postal Union as its 89th member.[6] On 9 July 1948, Pakistan Post issued its first postage stamps, a set of four stamps commemorating the country's independence. In 1959, an "All-up-Airmail" scheme was introduced by which all letters were airlifted between stations on an air network. Sikorsky helicopters of Pakistan International Airlines were used to deliver mail within East Pakistan.[7] In July 1962, the government bifurcated the old department[8] and independently placed Pakistan Post under the Ministry of Communications. In January 1987, "Urgent Mail Service" was introduced in the country[9] and in April 1987, "Local Packet & Parcel Service" was introduced.[9] On 1 January 1988, five-digit postal codes were introduced nationwide.[9] Between 1 August 1992 to 6 July 1996, the post office was separated from the Ministry of Communications and was made an independent corporation.[10] From 1 December 1992, a new "Overseas Postal Circle" with its headquarters in Islamabad was launched, to streamline foreign mail. Prior to the Islamabad facility, all international mail was received and sent through Karachi. Between 2006 and 2007, mail was sent using 19 domestic airports including Chitral, Karachi, Lahore, Moenjodaro, Multan and Skardu.[11] During the same period, four international airports were also used: Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore and Peshawar.[11] In 2007, the Pakistan Post embarked on a new vision which included a logo change. On 3 November 2008, the department was placed under the postal division of the newly created Ministry of Postal Services.[12] Senator Israr Ullah Zehri was appointed its first minister.

Services

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Pakistan Post is not merely confined to a number of postal services. Its areas of activities span on a larger scale. The national character, strong brand recognition and a wide network of post offices bestows a unique position to the Pakistan Post in playing a vital role in the economic and social development of Pakistan. It serves as the principal agency for the government in implementing key policies. Pakistan Post is providing a variety of services on behalf of many federal and provincial government departments. In December 2018, Federal Minister for Communication and Postal Services Murad Saeed launched the Pakistan Post Mobile Application.[13]

Postal services

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The following are postal services offered within the country.

  1. Letter Mail (ordinary and registered)
  2. Parcel Post (Inland and International)
  3. Certificate of Posting
  4. Post Office Boxes

Special Services[14]

The following are special services with their date of commencement given in brackets. Not all services are provided in every post office.

  1. Air Express (Airex) (2 August 1986)
  2. Fax Mail Service (FM) (1 August 1988)
  3. Fax Money Order (FMO) (15 August 1988)[15]
  4. International Speed Post (ISP) (1 September 1986)
  5. Local Express Delivery (LES) (22 April 1987)
  6. Postal Draft Service (15 November 1987)
  7. Postal Giro Service (15 March 1988)
  8. Savings Bank Mobile Account (12 January 1988)
  9. Urgent Mail Service (UMS) (1 January 1987)
  10. Urgent Money Order Service (UMO) (15 April 1988)
  11. EMOS (Electronic Money Order Service).[15]
  12. Pakistan Post starts collecting utility bills from home (June 2007)[16][17]

Federal services

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  1. Collection of taxes: income and withholding (on NSS profit payment)
  2. Collection of Customs Duty and Sales Tax (on foreign postal articles)
  3. Delivery of Computerised National Identity Cards (CNIC)
  4. Disbursement of welfare/financial assistance
  5. Food Support Programme
  6. Payment to Pakistan Armed Forces Pensioners
  7. Sale of Highway and Motorway Safety books

Government owned businesses

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  1. Cash Management services for Khushali Bank
  2. Collection of utility bills including electricity: WAPDA and K-Electric; natural gas: Sui Southern Gas Company; and telephone: PTCL[16]
  3. Delivery of NTN Certificates
  4. Payment to Capital Development Authority (CDA) Pensioners
  5. Payment to Pakistan Telecommunication Company Ltd (PTCL) Pensioners
  6. Sale of PTCL phonecards
  7. Sale of Agricultural Loan Pass Books
  8. Sale of Postal Life Insurance

Provincial services

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  1. Renewal of Arms Licences
  2. Renewal of Driving Licences
  3. Sale of Route Permit Fee stamps
  4. Sale of Motor Vehicle Fitness stamps
  5. Motor Vehicle Tax Collection

Private enterprise

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The following are services provided in partnership with private enterprise.

  • With BISP: Payment to over 2.2 million beneficiaries of Benazir Income Support Programme (at GPOs and Post Offices throughout Pakistan)
  • With The First MicroFinanceBank Ltd – Pakistan (FMFB-P): microfinance services through post offices.[18]
  • Cash Management and Courier Services for Citibank

Training

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In 1987, the post office established a Postal Staff College in Islamabad to provide training to its employees in various fields. Over the years it has also imparted training to employees of 57 other postal services including Albania, Cambodia, Fiji, Kenya, Maldives, Nepal, Trinidad and Tobago and Zambia.[19] It also has 5 regional training centres at Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Nowshera and Quetta.

On 26 October 2015, in an interview to the media, "A Pakistan Post official told the media that a new, comprehensive plan to revitalize the department had been chalked out, including staff training, electronic money transfer and tracking facilities etc. The aim is to bring the entity up to international standards of customer satisfaction."[20][21]

On 15 October 2013, Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) of 10 member nations from Asia and Europe, in its 20th meeting at Baku, Azerbaijan decided to establish the "ECO Postal Staff College" at Islamabad, Pakistan to help train postal services staff for the 10 member nations. The 10 member nations were Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

In 2016, "Pakistan has been re-elected to the Council of Administration (CA) in the Universal Postal Union (UPU), the main decision-making body of the United Nations specialized agency responsible for the development and cooperation of International Postal Service."[22]

Post offices

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Post offices in Pakistan by Fiscal Year (July to June):[23]

Fiscal Year Urban Rural Total
1990–1991 1,867 11,546 13,413
1991–1992 1,909 11,471 13,380
1992–1993 1,983 11,213 13,196
1993–1994 1,970 11,315 13,285
1994–1995 2,026 11,294 13,320
1995–1996 2,092 11,327 13,419
1996–1997 2,024 11,192 13,216
1997–1998 2,044 11,250 13,294
1998–1999 2,103 10,751 12,854
1999–2000 2,103 10,751 12,854
2000–2001 2,302 9,932 12,267
2001–2002 1,983 10,284 12,267
2002–2003 1,808 10,446 12,254
2003–2004 2,267 9,840 12,107
2004–2005 1,831 10,499 12,330
2005–2006 1,845 10,494 12,339
2006–2007 1,845 10,494 12,339[16]

Revenue

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This is a chart of trend of incomes of Pakistan Post from diversified public services such as post, parcels, banking, and insurance, with figures in millions of Pakistani Rupees. [citation needed]

Year Revenue (in millions ₨) Profit/(Loss)
1947 10 (4)
1950 32 (3)
1955 40 (3)
1960 65 6
1965 98 1
1970 91 (12)
1975 197 (28)
1980 361 (69)
1985 630 (151)
1990 1,214 (176)
1995 2,045 (471)
2000 3,281 270
2005 4,830 20
2017 8,000 -
2018 14,000 -
2019 - (10000)
2020 - -
2021 - -

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Pakistan Post Office Department". Pakpost.gov.pk. Retrieved 3 March 2022.
  2. ^ "Pakistan Post Office Department - About us". Pakpost.gov.pk. Retrieved 3 March 2022.
  3. ^ "The American Journal of Philately". New York Philatelic Society. 3 March 1890 – via Google Books.
  4. ^ [1] Encyclopædia Britannica, New American Supplement, XXVII, p. 39 (1907)
  5. ^ a b 50 Year of Pakistan, Volume I Summary, FBS, Statistics Division, GoP, Islamabad 1998 Pg 155
  6. ^ 50 Year of Pakistan, Volume I Summary, FBS, Statistics Division, GoP, Islamabad 1998 Pgs 155
  7. ^ Karapex '87 Stamp Exhibition souvenir. Organised by Pakistan Philatelic Society, Karachi pg 11.
  8. ^ 50 Year of Pakistan, Volume I Summary, FBS, Statistics Division, GoP, Islamabad 1998 Pg 156
  9. ^ a b c 50 Year of Pakistan, Volume I Summary, FBS, Statistics Division, GoP, Islamabad 1998 Pg 157
  10. ^ 50 Year of Pakistan, Volume I Summary, FBS, Statistics Division, GoP, Islamabad 1998 Pgs 157–158
  11. ^ a b Major Traffic Flow by Airports during 2006–07[permanent dead link‍] Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority. Retrieved 23 August 2010.
  12. ^ Year-Book-2007-08 (PDF). Islamabad: Government of Pakistan, Privatisation Division. May 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 February 2010. Retrieved 3 March 2022.
  13. ^ "Pakistan Post launches new mobile app in major revamp efforts". The Express Tribune (newspaper). Associated Press of Pakistan. 29 December 2018. Retrieved 3 March 2022.
  14. ^ Ahmed, Sultan "A Critical Look at the Special Service" in PakPost vol 1 no 1 pg 51. Published by Pakistan Post, Islamabad
  15. ^ a b Pakistan Post Office earning through remittances services The Times of Islamabad (newspaper), Published 30 August 2016, Retrieved 3 March 2022
  16. ^ a b c Mian, Bakhtawar (8 June 2007). "Pakistan Post starts collecting utility bills from home". Dawn (newspaper). Retrieved 3 March 2022.
  17. ^ 100,000 Digital Franchise Post Offices to be established: Murad Associated Press of Pakistan website, Published 1 March 2022, Retrieved 3 March 2022
  18. ^ "The First MicroFinanceBank Ltd and Pakistan Post Office agree to expand microfinance services for the poor". Aga Khan Development Network website. Retrieved 3 March 2022.
  19. ^ "Foreign Participants, Postal Staff College". Director General, Pakistan Post. Archived from the original on 14 April 2003. Retrieved 3 March 2022.
  20. ^ Pakistan Post Dawn (newspaper), Published 26 October 2015, Retrieved 3 March 2022
  21. ^ (Associated Press of Pakistan) Training for Pakistan Post staff Dawn (newspaper), Published 23 October 2015, Retrieved 3 March 2022
  22. ^ https://www.app.com.pk/pakistan-re-elected-to-un-body-on-intl-postal-service/, 'Pakistan re-elected to UN body on international postal service', Associated Press of Pakistan (APP), Published 7 October 2016, Retrieved 20 February 2017
  23. ^ http://nation.com.pk/business/02-Jun-2016/highlights-of-pakistan-economic-survey-2015-16, 'Highlights of Pakistan Economic Survey 2015-16', The Nation newspaper, Retrieved 20 February 2017
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