QUETTA: A large number of physically challenged persons held a demonstration here on Sunday for acceptance of their demands by the government.

Led by Samiullah Yousafzai, president of Hamdard Mazoran Balochistan, the protesters — some on wheelchairs and some with walking sticks — marched on different roads of the city and later gathered outside the press club. Carrying placards and banners inscribed with their demands, they were raising slogans.

Addressing the protesters, Mr Yousafzai, Murad Bakhsh Khosa, Ata Mohammad Mullahkhel and Mohammad Akbar Achakzai demanded strict implementation on the 5 per cent quota of government jobs for disabled persons.

They urged Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Sanaullah Zehri to issue a notification in this regard as soon as possible.

They said the physically challenged persons were facing difficulties in getting the disable certificate in all districts of the province. They said the government should remove all hurdles in the issuance of this certificate.

The speakers suggested inclusion of disabled persons in teams of health workers for anti-polio campaigns. They were of the view that by looking at disabled persons during vaccination drives people would realise its importance and would not refuse to get their children vaccinated.

They also appealed to the chief minister to take steps for solving other problems being faced by physically challenged persons in the province.

Published in Dawn, March 13th, 2017