Equal opportunity: Visually impaired protesters demand jobs

Disable blind persons are protesting against unemployment

FAISALABAD:

Scores of visually impaired protesters held a demonstration in front of Jhang Press Club on Tuesday to demand jobs in government departments.

Muhammad Usman, an office bearer of the Pakistan Association of Blinds Jhang, said the blind were an integral part of the society and had a right to employment and access to basic amenities. “A large number of visually impaired people pursue education against all odds, yet they are denied government jobs commensurate with their education.”

He demanded that the government arrange suitable positions for blind persons and increase the job quota for handicapped people in government departments. Usman said the government had promised them relief and jobs on May 7 but they were still waiting for the promise to be fulfilled. The protesters said they would take their protest to the Chief Minister’s House and the Punjab Assembly on June 8 if their demands were not met.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 3^rd, 2015.