ISLAMABAD: Statutory commission on disability should be constituted having power equivalent to a high court to ensure the implementation of laws regarding disability.

This was demanded by Chief Executive Potohar Mental Health Association (PMHA) Zulqurnain Asghar while speaking to participants of an event in which a study “Institutionalisation of Disability in Pakistan through Historic Lens: A Comparative Study” was launched.

The event was attended by a group of people including persons living with disabilities, educationalists, university students, journalists, representatives of public and private sector and civil society.

Mr Asghar suggested that persons living with disabilities should lead the commission.

“Persons living with disabilities should not be apologetic for demanding their rights. The respective federal and provincial governments, civil society institutions, organisations working for the rights of persons living with disabilities must concentrate to develop all-inclusive policies and political parties of the country should review their political manifestos to abolish direct and indirect discrimination,” he said.

Considering 15pc people, living with disabilities (PLWDs) in the country, who hold no representation in parliament, provincial assembly and at local body level, he said constitutional amendment was need of the hour to mainstream persons living with disabilities in the power corridors.

The main focus of the study was to highlight the salient features of acts and laws, gaps, comparative analysis of existing national and provincial legislation for PLWDs of Pakistan and key points extended as recommendations for the state of Pakistan and civil society.

One of the findings of the report revealed that Sindh takes the lead as it has defined the term ‘disability’ in an all-inclusive way possible.

The remaining federal and provincial laws acknowledged only four disability categories i.e. physical, visual, intellectual and hearing impairments.

However, the Sindh Act stipulates autism, attention deficit, hyperactivity disorder, dyspraxia, dyslexia, down syndrome and other neurological disorders that majority of people face, etc.

Another finding of the report was that The ICT, Sindh and GB Acts do not provide provision of special quota for the PLWDs in the respective elected bodies. However, Article 16 (2) of the Balochistan Act mentioned provides that ‘representation of persons with disabilities shall be ensured by the government in all the elected bodies through special quota’. Moreover, Sindh legislative assembly recently passed the people’s empowerment act in which 1pc quota is allocated for person living with disabilities in Sindh local body elections.

Published in Dawn, May 1st, 2022