PESHAWAR: Speakers at various events held in different districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to mark International Day of Persons with Disabilities on Tuesday asked government to help the people suffering from disabilities to make them useful members of society.

Prof Ziaul Haq, the vice-chancellor of Khyber Medical University, and MPA Mian Mohammad Umar at an event here lauded the role of Paraplegic Centre Peshawar (PCP) in physical and psychological rehabilitation of people with disabilities (PWDs).

In Charsadda, a ceremony was organised by social welfare department wherein persons with disabilities including boys and girls recited Holy Quran, Hamd and Naat and presented national anthem and songs besides skits.

Addressing the ceremony, Deputy Commissioner Qaiser Khan said that people with disabilities were an important part of society and should not be considered a burden. “They are being ignored and they are discriminated against, which is regrettable,” he added.

Events in different districts of KP mark international day of physically-challenged people

He said that a sense of responsibility must be created regarding the rights of physically-challenged people. He said that financial assistance was not a solution to the problems being faced by them.

In Shangla, the district administration promised at an event that priority would be given to physically-challenged persons in government departments besides covering their educational and healthcare expenses.

People with disabilities from across the district and officials of line departments attended the event. Physically-challenged persons on the occasion complained about their issues and lack of facilities at government and private offices for them.

In Swat, social activists urged government to resolve the issues of persons with disabilities and provide jobs to them according to the quota allocated for them.

They were addressing a ceremony held on International Day of Persons with Disabilities, which was organised by Swat Disables Forum. A large number of persons with disabilities, social activists, lawyers, elders and youth participated in the event.

They also held a walk in front of Swat Press Club to advocate for the rights of persons with disabilities. The participants were holding banners and placards.

In Mohmand, a ceremony was arranged by district administration with the help of social welfare department and a local organisation in Ghalanai to mark the day.

Deputy Commissioner Mohmand Muhammad Yasir Hassan, the additional deputy commissioner, Shakeel Ahmed, DSPs Liaquat Ali Khan and Ayaz Khan, assistant director of social welfare Imran Khan and president of organisation for rehabilitation of disabled Noorullah Khan were special guests on the occasion.

In Lower Dir, Aawaz-II programme, a British Council-funded project, arranged a function in Timergara to mark International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

The function was attended by women with disabilities from different areas of the. Participants of the event demanded financial assistance for women with disabilities, disability certificates, increase in employment opportunities and provision of free artificial limbs, wheelchairs and hearing devices to them.

In Bajaur, a function was arranged jointly by district administration, Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS), social welfare department and Al-Khidmat Foundation to mark the day.

Persons with disabilities, local elders, political and religious leaders, traders and social activists attended the event in a large number.

Published in Dawn, December 4th, 2024