LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Friday directed the Punjab school education secretary to evaluate a representation of two social workers seeking facilities for visually-impaired students in the educational institutions of the province.

Justice Shujaat Ali Khan heard a petition filed by Sakhi Usman and Ali Abbas, who being students and social workers, wrote a research paper for the betterment of visually-impaired students studying in different institutions.

Advocate Humayoun Faiz Rasool appeared on behalf of the petitioners and told the court that his clients made suggestions and recommendations before the school education secretary to facilitate the visually-impaired students but no one paid heed to the representation. He pointed out that according to a global nonprofit eye care organisation, approximately four per cent of the world’s blind population lives in Pakistan.

He said the visually-impaired students living in rural areas of the province are more vulnerable, as social constraints hamper their ability to travel and join special schools for their education.

The counsel asked the court to order constitution of a committee comprising veteran educationists for the implementation of the recommendations of the petitioners made for the betterment of the visually-impaired students studying in different educational institutions.

After hearing the arguments, Justice Khan directed the school education secretary to get the recommendations from the petitioners, as well as other quarters concerned, for the betterment of the visually-impaired students.

The judge also directed the provincial secretary to submit a detailed report to the LHC registrar office within four weeks.

Published in Dawn, October 5th, 2024