Islamabad, December 3, 2019: Speaker National Assembly Asad Qaiser has said that specially abled people possess immense potential and could play a vital role in the progress and development of the country if provided enabling Environment. He said that a Parliamentary Committee would be constituted comprising members from the treasury and the opposition for proposing legislation for protection of rights of the specially abled persons and brining them into mainstream. He was addressing a ceremony arranged at Parliament House to observe International Day for persons with disabilities. This was the initiative of Speaker Asad Qaiser for observing this day at Parliament House in a befitting manner ensuring active participation of the specially abled persons.

The Speaker while addressing the ceremony pledged that Parliament would take up all issues which were hampering the active participation of people with disabilities in the national development. He said that standing Committees have been asked to review the 2% quota reserved for jobs in public sector. He said that direction has also been passed to review the rules regarding that job quota for inclusion of Acid burn victims therein. The Speaker said that National Assembly Secretariat has been also been directed to make website of the National Assembly accessible for the visually challenged and introduce Constitution of Pakistan and Rules of Procedure of the National Assembly in braille. The Speaker appreciated the efforts and involvement of Women Parliamentary cause and Parliamentary Task force on SDGs for their endeavors for welfare and betterment of specially abled persons. He also appreciated the efforts of UNDP, UKAID, Akhuwat foundation and other social sector organizations for providing enabling environment for the physically challenged people. He stressed the need for establishment of vocational training centres for making these special people more special for making them financially self sustaining.

Speaker Asad Qaiser said that the present Government was taking steps on priority basis to ensure the welfare, education and training of special people and provision of basic immunities of life to them. He said that the Government has launched various social programs including “Ehsaas Program” under which special people along with other suppressed sections of the society are being facilitated. He said that Parliament is cognizant of the problems of specially abled persons and legislation regarding them is under consideration. He said that government is taking steps for policy making for the persons with disabilities. He stressed upon the strict implementation of quota reserved in government sector for special people. He said that we should not ignore the persons due to their physical disability, he said that with nourishing their capabilities they can be useful citizens for the society. “We should respect and treat special people with kindness and our little attention can bring a lot of happiness in their lives”, he added.

Later on Ms. Munaza Hasan, Secretary, WPC , Mr. Nadeem Ahmed, Chairman Khubbaib Foundation, Ms. Munaza Gillani, Country Director Sightsavers, Dr. Amjad Saqib, Chairman Akhuwat Foundation, Mr. Darren Nance, Chief Technical Advisor (UNDP) also address the ceremony and pledge to provide all out support to specially abled persons. They also lauded the efforts of Speaker, National Assembly for the welfare and betterment of specially abled persons. The ceremony was attended by large number of Parliamentarians, Representatives of Social Organizations, Specially abled persons and civil society and media person.  The special children also addressed the ceremony and appreciated the efforts and commitment of the Speaker for highlighting the issues of specially abled persons and protecting their rights.