PESHAWAR: Functions were held in various cities of the province on Friday in connection with the International Day of Persons with Disabilities where speakers called for raising public awareness of the rights of persons with disabilities and resolving the issues and problems being faced by them.

In Peshawar, Al-Khidmat Foundation (AKF) organised a ceremony for distribution of wheelchairs among the needy persons at Peshawar Press Club to make the day.

AKF provincial president Khalid Waqas and district president Arbab Abdul Haseeb distributed 30 wheelchairs among the deserving people.

In Lakki Marwat, the social welfare department with the support of district administration arranged a function in Serai Naurang to mark the day for persons with disabilities.

Additional assistant commissioner Aminullah Khan, district social welfare officer Jamshed Khattak and others attended the event. On this occasion, wheelchairs were also distributed among the special persons.

In Bajaur, provincial social welfare minister Anwar Zeb Khan said the provincial government was taking steps to make the persons with disabilities useful members of the society by providing facilities and rights to them.

He was addressing a ceremony held at Bajaur Sports Complex to mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Pakistan Red Crescent Society organised the event.

Anwar Zeb said disabled persons were special persons of the society and the government had launched several schemes for them.

In Lower Dir, the deputy commissioner’s wheelchair cricket tournament for youth with disability concluded at Timergara rest house ground on Friday.

Three teams from Mardan, Lower Dir and Bajaur districts participated in the event arranged in connection with the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

Mardan Eagles won the final match while defeating the Lower Dir team.

In Mohmand, Pakistan Red Crescent Society, district chapter, in collaboration with the district sports and social welfare departments arranged a programme to observe the day of persons with disabilities at Capt Rohullah Shaheed Sports Stadium, Ghalanai.

Additional deputy commissioner (finance) Mir Khwas Khan and district sports, youth and social welfare officers were also present. Various stalls were organised by different departments while a poetry session, gymnastics, tug of war, cultural show, etc were held on the occasion.

Published in Dawn, December 4th, 2021