ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Peoples Party Human Rights Cell president and former Senator Farhatullah Babar on Monday emphasised the importance of conducting an accurate census in order to obtain reliable data on disability within society.

He was speaking to participants of an event titled: “United in action to rescue and achieve the SDGs for, with and by persons with disabilities” organised by Potohar Mental Health Association (PMHA) in connection with International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD 2023).

Mr Babar said that a comprehensive census will help provide a clearer understanding of the number of individuals living with disabilities, enabling the implementation of effective policies and programmes to cater to their needs.

“To give the equal rights, all the political parties should include strong agenda regarding persons living with disabilities in their manifestos,” he said.

This year PPP human rights cell has joined hands with PMHA to support the UN IDPD 2023 to increase the outreach of the message of inalienable and constitutional rights and recognition of persons living with disabilities.

Senator Quratulain Marri stressed the need for society to be sensitised about disability, the problem lies within the entire society.

“It is crucial to raise awareness and promote a more inclusive and economically empowered society for persons living with disabilities. We should try to break the barriers that persons living with disabilities specially women living with disabilities often face in accessing economic equality, education, healthcare, employment and other basic rights and services,” she said.

PMHAChief Executive Zulqurnain Asghar said it was the need of the hour that elimination and eradication of institutional barriers at all levels should be ensured to mainstreaming of people living with disabilities.

“Hence elections are approaching, all political parties should pledge in their party’s manifestos that they will take concrete actions to include persons living with disabilities in the power corridors so they can have access to address their issues by themselves. Equal rights to persons living with disabilities and representation of persons living with disabilities should be ensured in Senate, National Assembly, Provincial Assemblies and at union council level,” he said.

Former Federal Information Commissioner Zahid Abdullah said, in 1998 census, 500,000 women living with disabilities were not counted as compared to men living with disabilities.

“This practice was also carried out in 2017 census as well where approximately more than two hundred thousand were not counted as compared to their gender counterpart,” he said.

Published in Dawn, December 5th, 2023