LAHORE: The rehabilitation of the disabled is one of the biggest challenges for the developing countries like Pakistan and it can be tackled through a meaningful public-private partnership.

This was the upshot of the speeches delivered at the Labard Fund Raising Dinner-2015 held at the Faletti’s hotel by the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) and private business groups on Monday.

The funds will be used to provide free counseling services, medical treatment, education, vocational training and jobs to the people with disabilities.

The fundraiser was a rare show of solidarity with the physically challenged people who wanted to be active members of society.

National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayyaz Sadiq said it was a very happy omen the private sector was working day and night for the noble cause of rehabilitation of disabled under the umbrella of Labard.

He said though it was the responsibility of the government to look after all segments of society but Labard was sharing burden of the government in the rehabilitation of disabled.

British High Commissioner to Pakistan Philip Barton said the rehabilitation of physically challenged people was one of the major challenges being tackled by the developing countries and every person of society should play their role. He promised to extend maximum cooperation to the Labard, saying “We cannot have a healthy and growing society unless communities we work in are healthy and sustainable. We are committed to improving the quality of life in all parts of the world and also committed to Labard’s future initiatives.”

US Consul General Zachary Harkenrider said the United States would continue working with Labard.

Labard President Pervez Malik said Labard project was very close to his heart.

“I always feel that there have been very few facilities for the physically and mentally challenged people,” he said.

These talented people can be treated and provided guidance for earning a respectable livelihood and place in society, he said, adding Pakistan’s informal census indicated that about 2.49 per cent of of the population was disabled.

LCCI President Ijaz A Mumtaz said the government should patronise Labard-like institutions so that the stigma of disability could be removed from Pakistan.

He said that it was religious and moral duty of the private sector to ensure jobs for the disabled people so that they could enjoy the status equal to other members of society.

DEMAND: Kattar Bund Road Industrial Association has sought the help of the LCCI to get their issues resolved. According to a press release, a 40-member delegation called on LCCI Vice President Syed Mahmood Ghaznavi and informed him about the lack of infrastructure in the zone.

“It seemed the Katar Bund Road industrial area is not part of the Punjab as despite being a few kilometres from Thokar Niaz Baig, it has broken roads and and lacks sewerage system,” delegation head Mian Nawaz said.

Mr Ghaznavi said the government should focus on improving the infrastructure and law and order situation in this industrial area.

Published in Dawn, April 28th, 2015

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