In a first: Licences to be issued to hearing impaired

NHMP examining options, examples from abroad

ISLAMABAD: Inspector General National Highways and Motorway Police (NH&MP) Shaukat Hayat on Wednesday said hearing impaired people would be issued driving licenses under special quota.

He stated this while addressing participants as chief guest at a ‘Road safety conference for hearing impaired persons.

IGP Hayat, the hearing impaired people were equal members of society and they should be issued driving licences after passing required test.

He explained that such people would be given training in the NH&MP’s driving schools and an interpreter would be appointed for their help.



The IG announced that special SMS system would be introduced in Emergency 130 service of the Motorway Police to facilitate the persons with hearing disabilities.

He said special traffic signboards would be set up for hearing and speech impaired people on national highways as well as motorways to facilitate them and make their journey safe.

A special signs booklet for people has been published for persons with hearing disabilities and an employee of the Motorway Police Falak Tanveer played an important role in its compilation.

Earlier in his welcome address DIG North Ahsan Abbas said the persons with disabilities could play an effective role in the development of the society if they were issued driving licenses.--APP

He said Motorway Police was instrumental in changing the old police culture in the country.



The seminar was arranged to impart road safety education amongst the hearing and speech impaired people.

NHMP North Zone Spokesperson Raja Aftab Aslam told The Express Tribune that after hearing the discussion and problems of the participants, the IG had noted that the efforts should be made to start proving licenses to them. He said that the IG also asked staff to study procedures and mechanisms in other countries where deaf and mute people were allowed to drive.

President Sir Syed Deaf Association Rawalpindi Mushtaq Butt, President Rawalpindi Deaf Association Nusrat Sadiq and Falak Tanveer also spoke on the occasion. Members from hearing and speech impaired societies also participated.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 2^nd, 2017.