Bill for disabled people moved in National Assembly

The chairperson of the commission should be equivalent to a Supreme Court Judge

ISLAMABAD: A bill to establish the Commission for the Rehabilitation and Welfare was presented in the National Assembly on Tuesday for people with disabilities, which would draft a national policy and review the facilities available to disabled people in the country.

Dr Nikhat Shakeel Khan presented ‘the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities Act, 2018’, which would be applicable to the entire state. The commission proposed under this bill will formulate a national policy for the rehabilitation through issuance of instructions to Federal government agencies for implementation, lay down guidelines for rehabilitation and review facilities from time to time and ensure implementation of laws in force and provision of this Act effectively.

The bill stated that some of the efforts by the government and society though inadequate are seen as providing opportunities for physically and mentally handicapped are simply entrusted to their slot.

Experts in psychiatry and medicine reiterate that a large percentage of mentally challenged and handicapped people can be rehabilitated, allowing them a life with dignity, and suitable large measures of support from society.

There is an urgent need for constituting a national commission to evolve and implement a national policy and program for resettlement of people with disabilities and to monitor and coordinate activities of different agencies, operating within this field.  The commission will have each member from provinces, human rights and women commissions, minority communities, parliament and organizations engaged in welfare for disabled persons. The chairperson of the commission will be equivalent to a Supreme Court judge who has practical experience in human rights activities.