Call to make people with disabilities productive citizens

PESHAWAR/ CHITRAL: People were urged on Wednesday to come forward and play a role in making people with disabilities independent and productive citizens.

The calls were made at functions arranged in various parts of the KP to mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. A programme was hosted at the Special Education Complex (SEC) in Hayatabad, Peshawar.

Dr Aneela Mehfooz Durrani, Secretary for Zakat, Ushr, Social Welfare, Special Education, and Women Empowerment Department, KP, was the chief guest.

Dr Awlad Hussain Shah, Humaira Naz and Mukhtiar Gul of Sarhad Rural Support Programme, Taimoor Jahangir, Mehjabeen Qazi of UNFPA, Amna Durrani of KP Commission on the Status of Women, and other guests from various organizations and government departments participated in the event.

Dr Aneela Mehfooz Durrani visited the stalls where different items prepared by students with special needs had been displayed.He announced Rs3,000 per student stipend for all the students with special needs enrolled at the Government Special Education Institutes.

Programmes were arranged in other parts of the province as well to observe the day. The Implementation Support Unit of Directorate of Elementary and Secondary Education marked the day in the Chitral district, honouring the accomplishments and resilience of specially-abled children.

The deputy commissioner of Lower Chitral, Director Programmes, Programme Manager of ISU and officials from the Social Welfare Department were present on the occasion.

Highlighting the significance of the day, participants were engaged in various games and activities tailored for children with disabilities, wherein parents enthusiastically participated, creating an atmosphere of joy, unity, and support.DC Muhammad Imran Khan thanked ISU and UNICEF for their support.