PESHAWAR, Dec 20: NWFP Minister for Auqaf, Social Welfare and Minority Affairs, Qari Roohullah Madani, has termed the role of social organizations and philanthropists a pre-requisite in government’s efforts for permanent rehabilitation of mentally and physically disabled children.

He was addressing the inaugural ceremony of Meena Bazar at Peshawar Club on Thursday, which was arranged by the Sarhad Society for Rehabilitation of Disabled (SSRD).

The minister said the government respected volunteers and social bodies interested in the welfare of disabled and needy persons.

The government had set up three types of rehabilitation centres for the disabled children and had allocated substantial funds for the purpose, the minister added.

He said that despite these generous steps the government felt that even 10 per cent of disabled people in the society could not be rehabilitated.

The minister urged philanthropists and NGOs to come forward and play their due role to achieve the target. Mr Madani also hailed the SSRD for serving the deserving people in the society.