Caring for special children ‘a joint responsibility of state and society’
President calls for implementing jobs quota for the specially-abled
President Arif Alvi. PHOTO: NNI
ISLAMABAD:
President Dr Arif Alvi has said that both, the state and the society, were equally responsible for showing compassion and taking care of people with special needs.
Addressing an iftar-dinner with specially-abled children at the Aiwan-e-Sadr, the president said that guidance provided by the teachings of the Holy Quran and the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and his companions regarding specially-abled people were not merely directions for the state, rather they were for the entire society.
The event, organised by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation of Azerbaijan to commemorate International Children’s Day, saw impressive cultural performances by the specially-abled children which garnered huge applause from the audience. Almost 400 specially-abled students from various schools participated in the event.
Dr Alvi further stated that surveys in several countries reveal that there is usually a 12% ratio of specially-abled people in the area. But only two per cent of Pakistan’s population are specially-abled.
He added that this might be because people in this society hesitate to record that there are people with special needs in their families.
He called for implementation the jobs quota for specially-abled people in Pakistan.
President also shared saddening news of the death of a child suffering from Thalassemia who had addressed the first iftar-dinner.
The child, he said teary-eyed, had already lost three of his brothers to the disease and had expressed his resolve to fight the disorder.
He lauded the contributions of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation for humanitarian cooperation and assistance were given to several Pakistani social welfare institutions and charitable organisations since 2005.
Azerbaijan Ambassador Ali Alizada said the presence of the country’s first family was not only a manifestation of the support given by the president to the foundation’s work but also of the strong bilateral relations which exist between Pakistan and Azerbaijan.
“The interests and rights of children must be safeguarded and protected. I am glad that many social indicators give a measure of the progress achieved by Pakistan regarding children’s rights in the recent years and the president’s presence here today is also a good example of Pakistan’s efforts and commitment for the protection of the children,” said the ambassador.
Ambassador Alizada further said the protection of children, improvement of their welfare, provision of their rights and freedoms and also coordination of state policy in this sphere is one of the main responsibilities of the Azerbaijani government too.
Moreover, NGOs are also actively involved in the protection of children's rights in Azerbaijan.
Ambassador Alizada further said that just a few months after its establishment the foundation started its work in Pakistan as well, implementing different healthcare, education, development, social and humanitarian projects in many provinces.
Azerbaijan and Pakistan have always enjoyed friendly and brotherly relations, which originate from our common moral values.
The ambassador also extended warm gratitude and regards to the Pakistan President Dr Arif Alvi and first lady Samina Alvi, as well as Azerbaijan’s first lady Mehriban Aliyeva for their continued support and guidance.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 3rd, 2019.
President Dr Arif Alvi has said that both, the state and the society, were equally responsible for showing compassion and taking care of people with special needs.
Addressing an iftar-dinner with specially-abled children at the Aiwan-e-Sadr, the president said that guidance provided by the teachings of the Holy Quran and the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and his companions regarding specially-abled people were not merely directions for the state, rather they were for the entire society.
The event, organised by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation of Azerbaijan to commemorate International Children’s Day, saw impressive cultural performances by the specially-abled children which garnered huge applause from the audience. Almost 400 specially-abled students from various schools participated in the event.
Dr Alvi further stated that surveys in several countries reveal that there is usually a 12% ratio of specially-abled people in the area. But only two per cent of Pakistan’s population are specially-abled.
He added that this might be because people in this society hesitate to record that there are people with special needs in their families.
He called for implementation the jobs quota for specially-abled people in Pakistan.
President also shared saddening news of the death of a child suffering from Thalassemia who had addressed the first iftar-dinner.
The child, he said teary-eyed, had already lost three of his brothers to the disease and had expressed his resolve to fight the disorder.
He lauded the contributions of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation for humanitarian cooperation and assistance were given to several Pakistani social welfare institutions and charitable organisations since 2005.
Azerbaijan Ambassador Ali Alizada said the presence of the country’s first family was not only a manifestation of the support given by the president to the foundation’s work but also of the strong bilateral relations which exist between Pakistan and Azerbaijan.
“The interests and rights of children must be safeguarded and protected. I am glad that many social indicators give a measure of the progress achieved by Pakistan regarding children’s rights in the recent years and the president’s presence here today is also a good example of Pakistan’s efforts and commitment for the protection of the children,” said the ambassador.
Ambassador Alizada further said the protection of children, improvement of their welfare, provision of their rights and freedoms and also coordination of state policy in this sphere is one of the main responsibilities of the Azerbaijani government too.
Moreover, NGOs are also actively involved in the protection of children's rights in Azerbaijan.
Ambassador Alizada further said that just a few months after its establishment the foundation started its work in Pakistan as well, implementing different healthcare, education, development, social and humanitarian projects in many provinces.
Azerbaijan and Pakistan have always enjoyed friendly and brotherly relations, which originate from our common moral values.
The ambassador also extended warm gratitude and regards to the Pakistan President Dr Arif Alvi and first lady Samina Alvi, as well as Azerbaijan’s first lady Mehriban Aliyeva for their continued support and guidance.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 3rd, 2019.