KARACHI, Aug 26: The government has approved a first-ever national policy for persons with disabilities which provides guidelines to all stakeholders for rehabilitation of special people.

This was stated by Begum Sehba Musharraf here on Friday while speaking as chief guest at the inaugural ceremony of the Special Children School at Karsaz, a project of the Pakistan Navy.

Begum Musharraf said the WHO estimates that about 10 per cent of the world population suffers from various types of disabilities.

According to the 1998 census, nearly 2.5 per cent of our country’s population is suffering from various sorts of disabilities.

She said in the developed countries a number of facilities are available for rehabilitation of disabled children, whereas in the developing countries, including ours, a lot needs to be done for providing proper facilities.

Sehba Musharraf said: “Children are our asset. They are our future and it is our duty to provided them all possible support and incentives so that they become productive citizens of the country.”

She was of the view that it was also our religious and social obligation to absorb children with disabilities into the mainstream of national life.

Begum Musharraf said the government is fully alive to its responsibilities and a number of initiatives have been taken to assist and facilitate people with disabilities.

Some of these, she added, include a census of disabled persons, establishment of special education centres all over the country, provision of medical and para-medical support, availability of specialised aids and equipment, creation and provision of job opportunities, imparting of vocational training, as well as legislative support.

Begum Musharraf was of the view that it is the collective responsibility of the society to address issues pertaining to special people, particularly children.

“It is only through our efforts that we can provide our special children with an enabling environment in which their abilities can grow,” she added.

Addressing special children she said: “We honour you for your talent, conviction and your courage. We expect you will continue to play your due role in society.”

“We are with you and fully support your cause and have complete confidence in your abilities. Have faith in Almighty Allah. You all are equal citizens of Pakistan in every manner and together we can work for a better future for us all,” she said,

Sehba Musharraf also praised the efforts of Pakistan Navy Welfare Association President Begum Nasreen Shahid Karimullah and all those associated with this project.

She also announced a donation of Rs 500,000 for the special children’s school.

Earlier, Begum Karimullah presented the welcome address.

She praised the workforce of PNWA and the philanthropists for taking initiatives for making the project a success.

Begum Shahid Karimullah also thanked ZVMG Rangoonwala Trust for making a generous contribution and Nespak for providing consultancy services in designing and execution of this project.

Commanding Officer PNS Karsaz, Commodore M B Choudhry, apprised the audience that Pakistan Navy took initiative to extend educational facilities to special children by establishing a school in the residential area of PNS Karsaz which has grown over the years and can now accommodate over 106 students.

He said the newly-constructed special children’s school is spread over 60,000 square feet and has been exclusively designed to meet all future requirements matching international standards.

Commodore Choudhry said the school cares for children with varying limitations, such as mental retardation, learning disability, physical disability, hearing impairment or visual disability.

The chief guest later unveiled the plaque and went round various sections of the school.—APP