NA Speaker calls for protecting rights of specially-abled people

ISLAMABAD: 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 an 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 bringing them into mainstream.

He was addressing a ceremony arranged at Parliament House to observe International Day for persons with disabilities. This initiative  was taken by Speaker Asad Qaiser for observing this day at Parliament House in a befitting manner ensuring active participation of the specially-abled persons.

The Speaker 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 two percent quota reserved for jobs in public sector. He said rules for including acid burn victims in the job quota would be passed soon.

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He said that National Assembly Secretariat has been also been directed to make website of the National Assembly accessible for the visually-challenged and introduce the 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 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) for their endeavours for welfare and betterment of specially-abled persons.

He also appreciated the efforts of UNDP, UKAID, Akhuwat foundation and other social sector organisations for providing enabling environment for physically challenged people. He stressed the need for establishment of vocational training centres for making these special people financially self-sustaining.

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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 cognisant of the problems of specially-abled persons and legislation regarding them is under consideration. He said the government is taking policy making steps for  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, adding 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.