KARACHI, Oct 13: The day-long function for the handicapped children which was earlier scheduled to be held on Monday at Clifton has been postponed and will now be held on Wednesday.

Over 5,000 handicapped children are expected to take part in the event, announced artist and social worker Jimmy Engineer and Pakistan Hotels Association chief Syed Arshad Ali while speaking at a press conference.

They said the function was being organized in connection with the White Cane Safety Day which is observed throughout the world on Oct 15. The function, they said, had been postponed because of Shab-i-Mairaj.

They said the managements of various organisations of the handicapped children informed them that it be difficult for them and the children to participate in the day-long activity as many of them would observe Shab-i-Mairaj and would remain awake and pray whole night.

Besides other prevailing conditions in the city were also responsible for the two-day postponement, they added.

They said in the meantime a few more organisations — like Darul Khushnood, Sisters for Charity, Society for Rehabilitation of Special Children, Special Education Wing, etc — had also approached and informed them that their children would also be participating in the function.

They said that an organisation that was working in the interior of the province had also informed them that it would be bringing over a 100 handicapped children from Dadu district so that they could also participate in the function.

They said that besides the free fun-rides other entertainment programmes being organised on the occasion included puppet show, performances by the clowns, music show, etc. Stage artist Farzana Naz, a music teacher at Ida Rieu Saleem Qureshi, and two visually impaired students of Ida Rieu Zainab Waheed and Tasneem Maqbool will also sing various songs.

The children during their day-long fun-filled activities, that will start at 10 am and conclude at 4 pm, will also be provided burgers, French fries, sandwiches, popcorn, biscuits, ice cream, cold drinks, mineral water etc.

The organization which have so far confirmed their participation included Al-Umeed, Darul Sukoon, SOS Village, DEWA, Al Shifa Trust, ABSA, Ida Rieu, Scinosa, Vocational Training Centre for Disabled Children, Shaheed-i-Millat Special Education Centre for Visually Handicapped Children, Quaideen Special Education Centre for mentally Retarded Children, Karachi Vocational Training Centre, Ujala, Parents’ Voice, Institute of Behaviour Problem, Ma Ayesha, ACELP, PREWA and Edhi Home, etc.

They said if any other organisation wanted to participate, in the Oct 15 programme, it could contact them on phone number: 568 6407.