‘Pakistan Sign Language’ launched
People communicate using sign language outside Pakistan's first mobile restaurant, staffed entirely by deaf workers, in Islamabad, Pakistan February 23, 2022. PHOTO: REUTERS
A book titled ‘Pakistan Sign Language’ was launched at the National Institute of Special Education in Islamabad, with Federal Secretary for Human Rights Afzal Latif in attendance as the chief guest.
In his address, Latif lauded the spirit of the people working on the project and highlighted the policies for the welfare and education of persons with disabilities, assuring support for the implementation of the existing policies by the government.
In his speech, he emphasised the need for cooperation between parents, societies, special and general educational institutions in the education and rehabilitation of persons with disabilities, as well as in the preparation of a sign language book for the hearing-impaired. He also appreciated the efforts of the participating sign language experts from all over Pakistan.
The federal secretary further said that language is a means of communication for human beings, without which humans cannot maintain economic and social cohesion in society. He expressed the hope that sign language would be the source of communication in society for hearing-impaired people.
He further insisted that necessary arrangements be made for the dissemination of copies of the book all over Pakistan to the people concerned.
Latif said that this book would not only make society aware of the abilities of the hearing-impaired people, but would also help with their inclusion in all walks of life.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 1st, 2022.