Helping the disabled fulfil their legal obligations

Karachi

Two hundred disabled people were helped procure their Special Computerised National Idenitiy Cards (SCNICs) from Nadra on Thursday, the first day of a two-day campaign initiated by the NOWPDP (Network of Organisations Working for the Disabled People) in conjunction with the Sindh government. 

The forum organised a SCNIC registration camp at the organisation’s offices and the initiative drew an encouraging response. As Zainab Abedin, an official of the NOWPDP, explained while talking to The News, the aspirants’ data is processed within a day and they get their cards within a month either through post or they have them collected. 

Normally, she said, getting an identity card was a months-long process. They have to go through certain formalities which take place at the organisation’s office only to get a medical certificate.

The Family Educational Services Foundation, the Ida-Rieu School for the Deaf and Dumb, and Special Olympics Pakistan, cooperated with NOWPDP in the endeavour.

Muhammad Anwer from Lyari, talking about the utility of the initiative, said that the process of obtaining a national identity card was really cumbersome and time-consuming, and required one to visit a multitude of government offices. He termed the facility a real boon.

It may be mentioned here that the NOWPDP was founded by the Aga Khan Council for Pakistan in 2008. Its primary aim is to make a significant difference to the quality of life and welfare of the citizens with disabilities through the provision of strategic support. The organisation is an apolitical body and performs its functions without any consideration of caste, colour, or creed.