Pakistan Post Launching UMS Plus, Logistics & Postal Bank

Web Desk — Pakistan Post has come out of deficit and now a marked improvement is observed as a result of digitalization while new proposals are being considered to launch UMS Plus, logistics, and a postal bank.

Director General Pakistan Post Khalid Javed said this during a function at the Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FCCI).

He said that a pilot project of logistics has been launched and hopefully the system will become fully operational within the next few months. The World Bank has also identified e-commerce as a major sector in which Pakistan should focus its future policies.

The DGPP said Private courier companies had established quality standards that Pakistan Post must follow to survive in this highly competitive global village. He said it was much easier to launch a progressive logistics service within Pakistan Post’s ambit because Pakistan Post had no shortage of infrastructure.

According to him, the digitization process is in full swing under a public-private partnership model and it would enable the provision of the best services in rural areas as well. UMS was launched to align with traditional mail services, however, UMS Plus will provide much better and more quality services up to the complete satisfaction of their quality-conscious customers.

“Khushali” bank is already operating, but we intend to enhance it with new innovative, modern, and fastest means of communication. Moreover, we are considering the launch of a separate postal bank in Pakistan”, he said, adding that it would enhance the importance of this department even further.

In addition, he announced that digital franchise post offices would be open very soon, for which loans would also be given to the needy. “We have to deposit collected cash on the same day in the concerned banks and in this connection, negotiations are underway and hopefully it will be operational by the end of this month.” He said Pakistan Post would offer special rates to the bulk suppliers of mails and parcels while its rates for walking customers are already very competitive with private couriers.

Chief Post Master Shahid Iqbal said that Pakistan Post intends to set up its own post office in M3 industrial estate for which they need a piece of land.

Atif Munir Sheikh, FCCI president, welcomed the guests and said Pakistan Post is one of Pakistan’s oldest institutions. According to him, courier services are only available in major cities. As a result, Pakistan Post must exploit its presence to improve the overall mail system in the country. Pak Post’s rates should be competitive, however, so that businesses will switch to it from private companies.