Japanese embassy installs electric wheelchair lift

Mission had earlier provided slope at the entrance of main building

ISLAMABAD: In the pursuit of a barrier-free embassy and for better accessibility of differently-abled people visiting the premises, the Japanese embassy, after installing a slope at the entrance of main building last September, has now installed an electric wheelchair lift for the stairs at the entrance of consular building.

An unveiling ceremony to this effect was held on Tuesday. Japanese Ambassador Kuninori Matsuda and Milestone Society for the Special Persons President Muhammad Shafiqur Rehman, who was invited as guest of honour, inaugurated the newly installed electric wheelchair lift.

The installation of the lift for wheelchairs realises a more convenient and accessible embassy and enables physically handicapped people to apply for a visa more easily, said a statement issued by the Japanese embassy.

Ambassador Matsuda, while speaking on the occasion, stated that the Japanese embassy continues to provide support for differently-abled people in Pakistan.

“Differently-abled people deserve more attention and support and Japan will continue helping them to become an active part of the society,” he said.

“We would like to recognise that Japan is going to host Paralympics 2020 in Tokyo this summer,” said Ambassador Matsuda.

Shafiqur Rehman expressing his views at the unveiling ceremony said that he was very delighted as his long-time dream has come true after the installation of an electric wheelchair lift for physically challenged people’s barrier free entry inside the consular building.

He thanked the ambassador for taking his personal interest into this longstanding request that has led to the early completion of the project.

 

 

Published in The Express Tribune, March 4^th, 2020.