KARACHI, Oct 20: A function was held in connection with the International Day of the Blind, or White Cane Safety Day on Sunday, under the aegis of the Pakistan Disabled foundation (PDF). The hope that handicapped people would be accorded due status in the country, and the government would ensure tangible measures to empower them and ease their problems was expressed by speakers.
The speakers, during their deliberations, lamented that physically normal persons and “opportunists” were depriving the physically handicapped and special persons of their just rights of employment, especially on the two per cent quota reserved for them in government institutions.
Reading the message of Sindh Governor Mohammedmian Soomro, Sultan Masood Sheikh, Director of the Ali Ali Group of Schools, said that special — and not disabled people — are just as important members of our society as anyone else. They are special because Allah blesses them with enhanced capabilities in many ways to help them overpower their disability. However, the responsibility to rehabilitate and help them become productive members of society lies with the government.
“Those involved in this sacred endeavour deserve our highest respect and appreciation” he added. He congratulated members of the Pakistan Disabled Foundation and all other organizations involved in this noble work.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Guest, Sindh Minister of Auqaf, Syed Abdul Baqi said that handicapped people of the society are not lagging behind in earning their livelihood through legal means compared to normal persons.
“Their incessant endeavours are not only limited to the same, but they are struggling to establish their identity in society, which clearly signifies their positive approach”.
Remarking on the celebration of World White Cane Day, he said it reminds us that we are all duty bound to redress major problems of the handicapped, including their mobilization problem. Although this task is not simple, it is ostensibly not beyond the reach of those who are aspiring to accomplish these objectives with determination and objectivity.
He reassured that the government stands committed to reviewing and helping mitigate the sufferings of handicapped people of society by utilizing all state resources.
He appealed to the affluent section of society, specially philanthropists, who have extended generously in monetary terms for other sectors of life, to come forward and augment the government’s efforts to alleviate the sufferings of the handicapped segment of society.
Shaid Ahmad Memon, President PDF, regretted that the rehabilitation of handicapped people, which was promised time and again by the higher authorities, is not being carried out in letter and spirit, which is hampering their activities.
He was specially harsh on the non-commitment by the government to honour its promises of providing two per cent job opportunities to such people, which is not helping forwarding their cause.
“Although (the) government had fixed a two per cent quota for special persons for jobs in government institutions, (and) despite repeated clarifications by the federal and provincial governments, they were being denied their due right of employment”, it was said.
It was also suggested that the “Sindh government should direct educational boards and universities to facilitate special persons, as according to them, officials of these institutions create hurdles for (the handicapped) in getting education or drawing their documents.”
GOVERNOR: The Sindh governor on Sunday said that disabled persons were an important part of society.
In his message delivered on the occasion of World White Cane Safety Day, he said that disabled people were also rich in talent and resources.
He said disabled people had proved that they were a very important part of society who could also equally share their experience in the socio-economic uplift of the country if given a chance.
The governor said that the disabled have proved their worth in all walks of life including sports and other activities.
He further said that the government was fully acquainted with the problems being faced by the handicapped, and assured the provision of maximum help.—PPI/APP
KARACHI, Oct 20: A function was held in connection with the International Day of the Blind, or White Cane Safety Day on Sunday, under the aegis of the Pakistan Disabled foundation (PDF). The hope that handicapped people would be accorded due status in the country, and the government would ensure tangible measures to empower them and ease their problems was expressed by speakers.
