Differently-abled demand relief

They said the federal, provincial govt must provide them rations and cash grants

KARACHI: Over 20 differently-abled persons staged a protest in Mirpurkhas on Friday, demanding that the federal and provincial government provide them rations and cash grants since the lockdown had added to their difficulties.

The protesters, including a couple from Lahore who have been unable to return to their hometown due to the restrictions on inter-provincial travel, took care to maintain proper distance among themselves and followed lockdown guidelines during the demonstration.

One among them, Malik Anwer, lamented that the differently-abled were not being provided any space anymore and shared that most of his friends were going through an ordeal. He said that they had held a protest to draw the attention of the government towards their hardships, in hopes that they may receive some help.

The protesters said that most of them worked as carpenters, barbers and tailors, and following the closure of markets and businesses they were finding it hard to survive.

Before dispersing, they said that they have been praying for the wellbeing of all those battling the virus.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 18^th, 2020.