May 9, 2006	Tuesday	Rabi-us-Sani 10, 1427

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DERA GHAZI KHAN, May 8: After failing to get aid from various government agencies despite president’s directions, a handicapped youth awaits financial help for the treatment of his disease which has crippled his torso.

The youth, Maqbool Ahmed Ansari, 36, who is a resident of Gaddai union council, needs replacement of his both hip and knee joints as he can neither walk nor sit without assistance. He has been bed-ridden since his childhood, suffering from Ankylosing Spondylitis, a crippling ailment.

Maqbool earns his living by binding books and teaching children of the area. He has been registered as a disabled person with the district government since 2001. Since then he made several efforts to get financial help from Zakat and Usher wing, Pakistan Baitul Maal, local parliamentarians and Punjab governor, for his treatment, but all in vain.

He deplored that the local heads of Zakat and Usher committees never paid him the full amount recommended for his treatment and day to day expenditures. He claimed that he complained about the alleged malpractice committed in distribution of charity to district chairman of Zakat and Ushar but no action was taken against the ‘culprits’.

He told Dawn that he had appealed to President Gen Pervez Musharraf for complete medical treatment in August 2002. At that time he was directed to contact the administration of Sheikh Zaid Hospital, Lahore, but the hospital administration had refused his request saying they had insufficient funds for the purpose.

The authorities concerned then wrote to deputy director of Zakat and Usher wing, Religious Affairs ministry, Islamabad, for payment of treatment cost (Rs275,000) to him, he said.

He said neither the Pakistan Baitul Maal, nor Zakat and Usher wing provided the required amount despite several reminders sent by him.

He again appealed to the president for provision of medical treatment to him, besides an auto-wheelchair, to enable him to earn his living in a respectable way.

He also demanded an inquiry against the district Zakat and Usher and Baitul Maal officials for not helping out needy people. He also appealed philanthropists to come forward for his help as his ailment was curable