January 16, 2006	Monday	Zilhaj 15, 1426

KARACHI, Jan 15: The candidates, with physical disabilities, seeking jobs in government departments/ organizations against two percent reserved quota have regretted delay in their appointments on positions vacant in public sector institutions. Fulfilling all criterion required for those who could be accommodated against the stipulated job quota, these candidates complained that despite passage of around a year, since they submitted their applications along with required documents, a call is still awaited even for a formal interview.

Mohammad Haris, who had sent his application for a post in a public sector bank, said this amounted to by-passing the rule and law introduced in the country to facilitate disabled individuals.

Similarly, Abdul Rehman and Hannan Ahmed referred to the cumbersome procedure they underwent to procure relevant certificate from the provincial social welfare department.

The certificate is pre-requisite for any person seeking job against “disabled quota”. It comprises medical certificates testifying their mental fitness but physical disabilities by a medical board appointed by social welfare departments in each of the provinces.

With specific reference to Karachi, the candidates said that the board which met after a gap of three months in one of the government hospitals located in Korangi, comprises well-known medical experts, who besides interviewing the concerned individuals also ensure thorough medical check-up, confirming their disability.

This disability certificate procured after a long and often cumbersome process is besides the credentials and professional documents that establish our suitability for the applied post, Hannan Ahmed said.

The candidates observed that there was almost nil chance to obtain jobs in the private sector where the concept of fittest to survive prevailed.

They also expressed their fear that most of the posts for disabled in public sector organizations and government departments may have been filled by physically fit individuals with right connection and strong relationships as otherwise there did not seem any reason for the delay.

The complainants said hundreds of applications were lying with the administration of Pakistan International Airlines, nationalized banks, semi-autonomous companies and departments while the fate of thousands of the physically disabled hangs in the balance.

They called for a clear cut policy and announcement of the exact position which might be hampering the employment of disabled, frequently promised to be helped for maintaining a dignified existence. —APP