Awareness walk: ‘Differently-abled people are being neglected’

Dr Zafar says they are integral part of our society

LAHORE: In our society, differently-abled people are being neglected despite the fact that they need special attention, said Punjab University Vice-Chancellor Dr Zafar Mueen.

He was addressing an awareness walk organised by the Centre for Clinical Psychology and Institute for Applied Psychology outside Al Raazi Hall on Wednesday.

The participants were holding banners and placards inscribed with awareness slogans to improve conditions of people with disabilities. The students set up awareness stalls and distributed pamphlets among the participants.

Talking to the media, Dr Zafar said special persons were an integral part of society and it was an obligation to help them. Special persons are taken care of in civilised societies, he said. “It was our social responsibility to facilitate special persons and we must utilise our energies in such good deeds,” he said. The VC added the Punjab University was taking a lead role in performing its social responsibility.

Separately, Punjab University VC Dr Zafar said that Pakistan could not progress without the active role of women in society. He was addressing the Pakistan Day Speech Competition which was jointly organised by the Institute of Administrative Sciences and Stylo shoes at Al Raazi Hall on Wednesday.

Faculty of Economics and Management Sciences Dean Dr Nasira Jabeen, Stylo Shoes Director Javed Iqbal, faculty members and competitors from various public and private universities were present at the event.

The theme of the competition was the Role of Women in the Development of Pakistan, while Fatima Mudassar from Lahore School of Economics, Muhammad Ali Nasir from University of Management and Technology, Dr AR Jaffery from Institute of Administrative Sciences and renowned anchor Hamza Tarar were the judges.

Dr Zafar said women must be empowered and their due rights must be given. Students must play their role in creating awareness on women’s rights in their areas, he added. “No society can witness development without the participation of women.”

Published in The Express Tribune, March 16^th, 2017.