KARACHI: First Lady Samina Arif Alvi stressed on comprehensive measures at every level for promoting inclusiveness of ‘Persons With Disabilities’ (PWDs) in all spheres of society.

Addressing opening ceremony of Special Children’s Sports Gala and Scouting event organised by Institute of Holistic Rehabilitation and Inclusion (IHRI) in collaboration with World Memon Organisation at a local school Samina Arif Alvi said that it was vital for sustainable development of country that inclusiveness must be promoted and participation of differently abled persons be ensured in all social, economic and political activities as over 10 percent of population of Pakistan is facing disability in different forms or manifestations. First and foremost challenge that needed to be addressed is public mindset and common behaviour of society towards persons with disabilities that obstructed their growth and prospects of career building.

She urged people to not disrespect or ridicule such persons but encourage and support their participation in educational, social and economic activities. Pakistan already rectified UN convention on differently abled persons, there were certain laws and policies in place and special job quota was reserved in public sector while government and non- governmental organisations are working for their facilitation and protection of their rights, she observed.

However, all stakeholder need to focus on ensuring implementation on laws and policies in letter and spirit, further improving relevant policies, enhancing accessibility and a paradigm shift in overall social behaviour to bring real change so that no one left behind, Samina Alvi maintained. Samina Arif Alvi highlighted need of ramps in buildings, public places and transport facilities to promote mobility of differently abled persons. She said that visually impaired children should be taught use of white cane from early age.

She appreciated IHRI and WMO for providing education and training opportunities to special children and assured her all out support in their future endeavours. First lady lauded role of media for spreading awareness and promoting idea of inclusion of differently abled persons and said that awareness made significant difference in campaign on breast cancer. Regional President MWO H.M Shahzad, Neurologist Ramal Kumar, Adur Razaq Pardaisi and Rahim Janu also addressed. They were of view that persons with disabilities were essential part of society and organisation was taking multiple measures to bring them into mainstream so that they could play active role in development of country.

Earlier, Samina Arif Alvi visited different sections of schools and reviewed arrangements for special children’s sport gala and scouting event. Event organisers also presented souvenir shield to Samina Arif Alvi.

Published in The Daily National Courier, December, 08 2022

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