The quiet revolutionaries of Quetta
In the heart of Quetta, a remarkable story of resilience and activism unfolds through the lives of Zarghoona Wadood, Riaz Baloch, Jahangir Tareen, and Zia Khan. These inspiring individuals, each a beacon of hope and strength, have dedicated their lives to championing the rights of persons who are differently-abled. Through their unwavering commitment and tireless efforts, they are creating ripples of change that extend far beyond their community.
Zarghoona Wadood, a differently-abled rights activist from Quetta has been associated with a volunteer group known as Quetta Online since the past nine years. She also works nine to five for an international organisation.
For a longest time, Zarghoona didn’t knew about being differently-abled and the rights of the differently-abled people. “I suffered from inferiority complex as I thought that I am the only one who was differently-abled.”
A friend told her about an event being planned for December 3, to mark the United Nations’ International Day of Persons with Disabilities, and asked her to attend.
“At the event I met Riaz and all other team members,” says Zarghoona who had never heard of a special day celebrated on December 3. “This way, I found out that it’s not just me but many others, including women, who live dignified and meaningful lives despite being differently-abled, and since then we have been working together.”
This event inspired Zarghoona to think about and research about the differently-abled persons. Gradually she got to know about the national and international networks associated with upliftment, support and welfare of differently-abled people. She also found out about the United Nations’ Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).
“When I realised that the representation of differently-abled women from Balochistan is negligible, I worked hard to become the Provincial Coordinator of National Forum of Women with Disabilities,” says Zarghoona, adding that she had attended multiple international conferences and is also a member of Balochistan’s Commission on Status of Women. It must be mentioned that it was the first time that a differently-abled women became a part of any commission in Pakistan.
Zarghoona was also among the 100 people round the globe who received awards from Rehabilitation International, a global organisation.
She is determined to not only work for the rights of differently-abled women but also for women in general.
“When I was studying in special education during school, the delegations that came to meet us showered us with sympathy. We later realised that the school system used us to get sympathy of the visitors, and it didn’t make me feel good at all,” says Riaz Baloch, who is a differently-abled leader of an organisation known as The Special Ones (TSO).
Riaz always wanted to create a dignified space for the differently-abled. In this regard, he participated in an event in Islamabad. “It was in 2005, and people from almost 26 countries were present there,” he says. “I was the only one from Balochistan and everything was quite new for me. That is when I learned about organisation, team building and the slogan “nothing about us without us” which is used to communicate the idea that no policy should be decided by any representative without the full and direct participation of members of the group(s) affected by that policy.”
In 2008, Riaz set up TSO and along with his team, he organised the first ever walk in Balochistan on the 3rd of December, followed by an informative session in the Quetta Press Club. Since then, they organise this walk every year.
In 2010, Riaz met with Zia Khan, the founder of Quetta Online, a volunteer organisation based in Quetta. “I found out that a differently-abled person has founded an organisation and is contributing to the society,” said Riaz. “When we met, we discovered that our thinking was alike so we joined hands to double our strength.”
Now TSO and Quetta Online are merged and they work together in multiple domains including being differently-abled. The volunteers on the frontline are differently-abled people, apart from areas such as health, education, relief work, public awareness, environment and much more.
Riaz believes that they have shown the society that differently-abled people can be independent and a productive part of the society.
Riaz explained that the ordinance of 1981 only covered special education and rehabilitation but Pakistan became a signatory of the UNCRPD in 2006 and ratified the ordinance as well. “But the major challenge was introducing a law based on the ordinance,” he said. “We started to work on it, and in 2017, Balochistan became the first province to pass an Act on it and we are also working on its rules.”
For Riaz, being differently-abled is a way of life, and the only thing important is inclusion and reasonable accommodation. He educates parents about their children who are differently-abled and would like to see Pakistan adopt Leave no one Behind, a commitment made by United Nations Member States to eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities and end discrimination. It prioritises the most vulnerable and marginalised members of society, and is at the heart of the Sustainable Development Goals.
“One day I received a call that Rs50,000 for needed for treatment of girl with a mental health issue,” recalls Jahangeer Tareen, a Quetta-based, social and disability-rights activist who looks after the health segment of Quetta Online. “As I was trying to work out the best platform to help her, I thought of Quetta Online. I posted the story on their page and within 15 minutes, I got a response from someone who wanted to donate. It was then that I decided to work in the health segment to support many deserving people through social media.”
Soon Jahangir was collecting donations of up to Rs2-3 million for cancer patients. Following that, they began working with the health department. In major cases, Jahangir and his team managed to get treatment approved even before summary approval in the health department.
“Since the incidence of cancer in Balochistan is noticeably high, we raised a voice on social media for a cancer hospital in this large province,” Jahangir continued. “When the former PM came to Quetta, we requested him and registered our protest that a cancer hospital should be built here. Fortunately, this is our success story as we received contributions from everyone — journalists, bureaucracy, and civil society.”
Quetta Online has also established links with hospitals country-wide for support as well as discounts. “People ask us what we get out of all this,” he says with a smile. “Well, since we began this work, everything has been going well.”
According to Jahangir, many people in Quetta have no clue where to arrange blood from. In this regard Quetta Online has been very helpful as it arranges blood for 10 to 12 people on a daily basis.
“With the collaboration of the Regional Blood Centre, we set up camps at picnic points, institutions, and public places where we expect crowds,” says Jahangir Although people come for recreation, they are happy to donate blood when we request them.”
Zia Khan was three years old when he contracted polio. “I wasn’t given polio drops,” he discloses. “I faced many problems in education at Muslim Bagh. Kids would call me names but my family, friends, and teachers always supported me. Then I came to Quetta and pursued IT. As an IT specialist and web designer, he started working for the government. Since childhood, I wanted to do something extraordinary, but being differently-abled, I didn't know how or what to do.”
Being proficient in IT, he thought of creating a positive image of Quetta and that is when he created Quetta Online. Initially, they engaged the youth with quizzes, photography and other interesting activities.
“Once, a friend requested O-negative blood, and within five minutes, we found donors on the group,” Zia reveals. “That’s when I realised how we could empower youth and help people through this platform. We held a gathering at Musa College and decided to organise various activities in Quetta such as tree plantation that is visible at the airport, schools, and colleges. We also began initiatives like Clean Quetta and Own Quetta.”
Eventually, Zia formed a core team for Quetta Online and started working on health. With the support of civil society, they took the first case of a cancer patient who needed Rs2.2 million.
“We demanded a cancer hospital, the ex-PM took notice, and Jam Sahib announced it which was very encouraging indeed,” says Zia. “Then we got the disability act passed.”
For 12 years, they didn't have an office space and everything was done through social media. In winter, they provided jackets, and in Ramazan, they distributed rations, without making these photo opportunities.
Gradually Quetta Online expanded to Nushki Online, Sibi Online, Gwadar Online, and Pishin Online. “We kept getting motivated,” shares Zia. “We introduced sports for differently-abled people in Balochistan for the first time, in Islamabad,” Zia says. “The government recognised Quetta Online, and we received Balochistan Excellence Award and Pride of Pakistan. We won the UN Volunteer Award thrice.”
Zia believes that dedicated volunteers have brought this journey forward and appeals to people to come and support them so they can help others.
The inspiring journeys of these activists exemplify the power of determination and community in overcoming challenges faced by persons with disabilities. Their relentless efforts have not only brought significant changes in Balochistan but also fostered a sense of empowerment and inclusion. Their work highlights the importance of inclusion, advocacy, and social responsibility, setting a powerful example for others to follow.
Mohammad Zafar Baloch is freelance journalist based in Quetta
All facts and information is the sole responsibility of the writer