Islamabad (Web Desk): World Post Day is being marked today (Thursday) across the globe, including in Pakistan, under the theme “Post for People: Local Service. Global Reach.”
The occasion emphasizes the importance of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) in promoting international communication and development.
The day is observed every year on October 9, commemorating the establishment of the UPU in 1874 in Bern, Switzerland. It was officially proclaimed as World Post Day by the UPU Congress in Tokyo in 1969, and since then, nations around the world have continued to celebrate it annually. Many postal organizations use the occasion to launch or highlight new products and services.
In 2015, countries across the globe pledged to pursue the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), aimed at ending poverty and hunger, reducing inequality, ensuring justice, and combating climate change.
The postal sector plays a crucial role in achieving these global targets by providing essential infrastructure that supports development.
As a significant number of people remain offline and many businesses are yet to embrace e-commerce, post offices continue to serve as critical community hubs — often being the only public access point to the digital economy in rural or remote areas.
World Post Day aims to increase understanding of how postal services contribute to everyday life and how they drive national social and economic progress.
The celebrations also encourage postal administrations to organize public programs that highlight their services, innovations, and community role.
Each year, over 150 countries take part in the commemoration with various events.
In some nations, it is observed as a working holiday, while others organize philatelic exhibitions, issue commemorative stamps, or hold cultural, educational, and sports activities.
Many postal departments also recognize the contributions of their employees with awards and honours.
Other activities often include the display of promotional materials, open days at post offices, mail centers, and postal museums, as well as seminars and workshops. Special souvenirs such as T-shirts and badges are also distributed.
On this occasion, winners of the UPU International Letter-Writing Competition are frequently recognized at the national level.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Post has organised various programmes to highlight the importance of this day and the services of the institution.