Visually-impaired urge govt not to turn a blind eye

Those with visual impairments and other differently-abled people from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa called on the government to take action regarding the lack of implementation of the 2% job quota, as well as delays in the Benazir Income Support Programme, Pakistan Baitul Mal, and the Disability Act.

This demand was made during a special event held in Peshawar by the Pakistan Association of the Blind in connection with the World White Cane Safety Day. The event was attended by a large number of visually impaired children and their parents.

The special guest at the event was K-P Minister for Social Welfare and Women's Development Qasim Ali Shah. The event was also supported by the Government School for Blind Students and TARS Foundation.

In his address, the minister stated that disabled individuals certainly need support from the government. "Unfortunately, the system had stalled, preventing the resolution of issues faced by disabled people." The minister assured that funds allocated for the disabled would be officially utilised this year.

He also emphasised that the law ensuring a job quota for disabled individuals in the province was already in place and would be strictly enforced.

"A letter has been sent to the finance department for recruitment against vacant posts for disabled individuals in the Department of Social Welfare, and hiring will begin soon."

Plans are afoot to upgrade the schools for visually-impaired girls in the province. The minister expressed a desire to create a plan that would benefit all disabled individuals.

Earlier, the President of the Association, Qari Saad Noor, said that the white cane is not just a tool, but a symbol of stability and independence for the visually impaired. "The purpose of celebrating this day is to provide visually impaired individuals with safe, free movement in their environment."