ISLAMABAD: A study about differently-abled people has revealed that federal and provincial laws acknowledge only four categories of disabilities such as physical, visual, intellectual and hearing impairments.

Sindh is the only province that recognises other categories (such as developmental disorders) for conditions like autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, dyspraxia, dyslexia, rett syndrome, tourette syndrome and so on.

The Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT), Sindh and Gilgit-Baltistan Acts do not provide special quota for persons living with disabilities (PLWDs) in the respective elected bodies. However, Article 16 (2) of the Balochistan Act clearly states that representation of persons with disabilities shall be ensured by the government in all the elected bodies through special quota.

Launched by the Potohar Mental Health Association (PMHA), the report highlights that the Sindh legislative assembly recently passed the Peoples Empowerment Act in which 1 percent quota was allocated for PLWDs in the Sindh local body elections.

Zulqurnain Asghar, from the PMHA said that 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 PLWDs must concentrate on developing all inclusive policies and political parties of the country should review their political manifestos to abolish direct and indirect discrimination, he added.

He said 15pc PLWDs in the country have no representation in the parliament, national assembly, senate, provincial assembly, adding constitutional amendment in this regard was the need of the hour.

“Additional affirmative action needs to be taken through constitutional amendment as Constitution of Pakistan addresses women and non-Muslim Pakistanis in only seven clauses, legislation must be reinforced at all levels,” he said.

The report demands reforms regarding disability pointing to various programmes such as the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) as an instrument towards eliminating exclusionary practices specifically when talking about women living with disabilities.

Published in Dawn, May 6th, 2022