Speakers urge government to take steps for disabled

Demand equal rights for special persons.

ISLAMABAD: Representatives of persons with disabilities gathered at a local hotel to convey their concern over government apathy towards the disabled reflected in the lack of concessions offered in the budget to facilitate them.

While speaking to journalists, Pakistan Disabled Foundation (PDF) Chairman Shahid Ahmad Maiman said budget allocation for the disabled needed to be revised in light of the UN convention on disability. Sincere efforts should be made to give equal citizenship rights to disabled persons, he added. He, however, appreciated the tax exemption announced by the government for special persons.

Maiman demanded that equipment banks should be established by the government where special persons can get equipment at subsidised rates.  Educational institutions and examination centres should be provided with sophisticated equipment and tools to facilitate special students. He added that rehabilitation centres should also be established.

PDF Vice-Chairperson Shakeela Yasmeen said that the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has all the relevant data about special persons and the government should plan for them by analysing the data.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 6^th, 2014.