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RAWALPINDI, Dec 03 (APP):Speakers at an event marking the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on Wednesday stressed that nations could only progress when they uplift and empower their disabled and vulnerable communities.
The ceremony, organised by Voice of Special Persons at Anjuman Faiz-ul-Islam Rawalpindi, drew representatives of various organisations, persons with disabilities, social workers and intellectuals.
Former Provincial Minister for Health and Population Welfare Dr Jamal Nasir, who was the chief guest, said, “Only those nations advance which support their disabled and weaker segments.” He added that service to humanity stemmed from commitment rather than wealth.
Dr Nasir urged philanthropists and the wider community to step forward, noting that ensuring facilities, employment and rehabilitation centres for persons with disabilities was a pressing need. He called on the government to fully enforce the three per cent job quota for disabled persons in public employment and to immediately reinstate more than 1,600 visually impaired individuals who had been dismissed from service.
He emphasised that persons with disabilities “do not need any concessions but are entitled to opportunities”.
Director, Social Welfare, Rana Shahid said the government was introducing a major initiative under which 5,000 visually impaired citizens would receive a monthly scholarship of Rs12,000. He added that several other projects aimed at rehabilitation and empowerment of disabled persons were in their final stages.
President, Anjuman Faiz-ul-Islam, Dr Riaz Ahmed said nations progressed when they considered disabled citizens an asset rather than a burden and moved in step with government measures for their uplift. He said that adherence to Islamic principles and collective responsibility could help reduce poverty and deprivation.
Chairman, Voice of Special Persons, Nabeel Satti said the state, like a mother, must look after all its citizens equally. He stressed the need for more coherent policies and practical measures to support disabled individuals, adding that while the government’s ongoing efforts were commendable, progress on the ground needed to accelerate.
At the end of the ceremony, gifts and relief items were distributed among persons with disabilities. Participants urged that the International Day of Persons with Disabilities should not remain symbolic and that year-round efforts were required to secure their rights, employment and equal opportunities.