In a country like Pakistan, where adequate provision of facilities for the physically impaired is a huge concern,  Nighat Riaz is a shining example of hope and perseverance. A successful entrepreneur and a mother of three, Riaz lost her hearing and speaking ability at the age of one, when her eardrum exploded. However, this did not deter her mother from  providing her daughter with quality education, allowing her to pursue her childhood dream of becoming a beautician and representing Pakistan internationally as a black belt in Karate.

Unfortunately, cases like Riaz are an exception. According to statistics of NOWPDP, an organisation that works to improve the quality of life for disabled people across Pakistan, nearly 3.2 million people in Pakistan are physically impaired. This comprises of 1.37 million females and 1.99 million males. Rough estimates suggest that 28 per cent of those with disabilities are literate, only 14 per cent of those with disabilities are employed while a staggering 70 per cent are reliant on family members for monetary support. Despite the high numbers, there is no single ministry or federal department that deals with the issue.

However, the grim backdrop in the country against which Nighat has managed to shine is a testimony to the potential of the disabled population in Pakistan and what they can achieve if nurtured through the right training, education and a supportive environment.