PESHAWAR: Different functions and protests were held in various cities of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Thursday to mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities with a call for the government to take tangible steps for providing facilities and due quota in jobs to the special persons.

In Peshawar, the public sector Paraplegic Centre Peshawar and Friends of Paraplegics Pakistan in collaboration with the International Committee of the Red Cross organised competitions to mark the disability day.

Due to Covid-19, the event was held on a small scale and competitions were held between able and special people. Persons with disabilities (PWDs) from parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa participated in the programme to express their feelings and show their inner abilities.

The event brought similes on the faces of young male and female volunteers of Paraplegic Centre and Friends of Paraplegics when they saw their relentless efforts being paid off in the shape of cheerful, laughing and gossiping PWDs.

Functions held in various cities to mark disability day

Centre’s chief executive officer Syed Muhammad Ilyas said on the occasion that around 15 to 20 per cent of the world population was faced with some kind of disability.

Pakistan is unfortunately lagging behind when it comes to timely rehabilitation and/or facilitation of people with disabilities.

However, the situation is changing due to the fact that PWDs are getting more and more aware of their rights as well their potential, Mr Ilyas said.

In Swat, a large number of persons with disabilities from parts of Malakand division observed December 3 as ‘black day’ in protest against the provincial government for its failure to provide them their basic rights.

Led by Swat district coordinator of Friends of Paraplegics, Mohammad Waqar and Shangla coordinator Malang Jan, a large number of persons with disabilities gathered in front of Swat Press Club and chanted slogans in favour of their demands.

They said their rights were violated under every government. “This government in 2018 had promised to provide us different facilities, including increase in job quota from 2 per cent to 4 per cent, but we have been sidelined completely since then,” they said.

“The Punjab government has been giving Rs6,000 monthly stipend to every person with disability, but we have been deprived of it in KP,” they said.

In Bajaur, separate events were held to mark the day by PRCS local chapter and All Bajaur Disabled Persons Association.

PRCS merged districts secretary Kamal Mehsud, local chapter head Tariq Zaman and others said that Bajaur was among the districts having a large number of disabled persons and the government should take urgent steps for their welfare, including establishment of technical institutions for them.

In Kohat, representatives of special people demanded of the government to increase their job quota. A ceremony was held under the aegis of social welfare department which was attended by representatives of special persons Dr Alif Rehman and Mohammad Yousaf.

They said they should be given priority in distribution of sehat card, income support and Ehsas programmes and the process of obtaining disability certificate should be made easy for them.

In Lower Dir, Al-Khidmat Foundation distributed wheelchairs among special persons during a function held at Timergara rest house.

Published in Dawn, December 4th, 2020