spirits were dampened before they were half way to Islamabad when the ‘Ticket Checker’ caught them and demanded fare because he didn’t agree with the government policy to offer ‘free rides’ to persons with disabilities!
Combined they had a sum of Rs1,500 on them which the railway official took from them and when they disembarked the train at Rawalpindi Railway Station, they were penniless! The weather in Rawalpindi/Islamabad had already turned cold beyond their expectations and they were ill-dressed too.
Still, they managed to reach the offices of the TV channel, only to be told by some persons that their request could not be entertained. With their hopes totally shattered, no money in their pockets, shivering in cold weather of Islamabad, they were ushered out on the road.
Abandoned and distressed, they stood there with no hope. And then somebody told them to go to the National Press Club (NPC) where they might get some help as well as some media attention too. The two blind young men managed to reach the NPC and some print media persons took pity on them as they were taken to a warm room, provided some food and arrangements were made for their overnight stay. The NPC also provided them some funds for their journey back home.
Fine! A nice gesture on part of all those who helped the two young blind men. Thank you all! But they were not asking for such helping overtures or money to return home. They were asking for some suitable jobs so that they could not only be independent but be able to support their families, which are living below the poverty line.
Muhammad Luqman, who is doing graduation from the AIOU, who can also operate a computer with the help of a special software ‘JAWS’ (this is what we were told by him). He said that he can help learn other children and young men/women learn with the help of this programme and can groom them to become a productive part of the society instead of become a burden on the society their families.
Hafiz Muhammad Hammad says that he can teach Holy Quran to children if he is provided a job in some school or madrassa. Well, they are entitled to these jobs under the special persons quota in the government jobs as well as in the private sector. Even some NGO can make use of young Muhammad Luqman who is graduating and knows the computer skills too. They are not asking for some favor. They are demand what the government and the society owe them!
We wonder if somebody somewhere in the government or the private sector would care to hold their hands and lead them forward in life towards a better future instead of leaving them to take to beggary. Eventually! Their contacts are: Muhammad Luqman s/o Muhammad Ramzan 0306-0677439. Hafiz Muhammad Hammad s/o of late Zulfiqar Ali 0344-9696710.