The disabled people have rights over the society and it is incumbent that the Society was structured in a way that met the needs of all its citizens including those suffering from one or the other physical disability.
On the observance of "Disabled Persons Day" throughout the world Syeda Uzma Shah having Masters in Computer Science, urged the government and civic bodies to practically implement the "Disabled Persons' (Employment and Rehabilitation) Ordinance 1981" in Pakistan. She was addressing a press conference at Karachi Press Club on Thursday December 3, 2009.
By inviting attention of City Nazim, Governor Sindh and Chief Minister, Uzma Shah disclosed that in a metropolis like Karachi not a single building, bridge, footpath was constructed with a vision to facilitate the disabled persons living here. Even road transport was not able to make them travel comfortably. She urged the government to provide such facilities within next two months. If government failed to do so she will launch an agitation campaign on various public places for the rights of disabled persons in Pakistan.
She said around the world 650 million people, live with some disability. They are the world's largest minority and needed special attention.
In Pakistan the "International Day of Persons with disabilities" is celebrated with zeal by NGOs and the government functionaries on December 3, but afterwards nobody cares for remaining 364 days of the year.
She disclosed that since 1988 there was no survey conducted by government to know about exact number of disabled persons in Pakistan. Even Government websites were not updated in this regard. Large scale abuse of human rights was witnessed within the country. There was no awareness created about the rights of disabled persons in Pakistan.
About thirty years ago under the 'Disable Persons Ordinance 1981' large number of facilities, incentives and employment opportunities were promised by the government but it was not implemented in true letter and spirit till today.
Uzma Shah disclosed the pathetic situation at lower and highest level educational institutions like school, college and universities in the city. They were not prepared to provide any ramp and other facilities to accommodate disabled students. On the other hand print and electronic media were also equally unaware of the situation due to which they never produced any comprehensive coverage about problems and grievances being faced by disabled persons in society and in practical life.
Therefore, she suggested that next year we should celebrate December 3 as a 'Day of Nation with Disabilities' instead of 'Day of Persons with disabilities'.
On the observance of "Disabled Persons Day" throughout the world Syeda Uzma Shah having Masters in Computer Science, urged the government and civic bodies to practically implement the "Disabled Persons' (Employment and Rehabilitation) Ordinance 1981" in Pakistan. She was addressing a press conference at Karachi Press Club on Thursday December 3, 2009.
By inviting attention of City Nazim, Governor Sindh and Chief Minister, Uzma Shah disclosed that in a metropolis like Karachi not a single building, bridge, footpath was constructed with a vision to facilitate the disabled persons living here. Even road transport was not able to make them travel comfortably. She urged the government to provide such facilities within next two months. If government failed to do so she will launch an agitation campaign on various public places for the rights of disabled persons in Pakistan.
She said around the world 650 million people, live with some disability. They are the world's largest minority and needed special attention.
In Pakistan the "International Day of Persons with disabilities" is celebrated with zeal by NGOs and the government functionaries on December 3, but afterwards nobody cares for remaining 364 days of the year.
She disclosed that since 1988 there was no survey conducted by government to know about exact number of disabled persons in Pakistan. Even Government websites were not updated in this regard. Large scale abuse of human rights was witnessed within the country. There was no awareness created about the rights of disabled persons in Pakistan.
About thirty years ago under the 'Disable Persons Ordinance 1981' large number of facilities, incentives and employment opportunities were promised by the government but it was not implemented in true letter and spirit till today.
Uzma Shah disclosed the pathetic situation at lower and highest level educational institutions like school, college and universities in the city. They were not prepared to provide any ramp and other facilities to accommodate disabled students. On the other hand print and electronic media were also equally unaware of the situation due to which they never produced any comprehensive coverage about problems and grievances being faced by disabled persons in society and in practical life.
Therefore, she suggested that next year we should celebrate December 3 as a 'Day of Nation with Disabilities' instead of 'Day of Persons with disabilities'.
