Silent exclusion

Millions of disabled Pakistanis are neglected and actively excluded by our public transport system. Public transport in Pakistan has long been broken, but for persons with disabilities, it was never built at all. Cracked sidewalks, buses without ramps, overpasses without lifts and the complete absence of accessible infrastructure silently send one message that disabled Pakistanis do not matter.

In a country where mobility means opportunity, this exclusion aggravates poverty levels, isolation and despair. Pakistan must honour its commitments under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities by making accessibility an absolute must. Low-floor buses, ramps, audio-visual cues and inclusive planning are overdue necessities.

Tania Shahjahan

Qambar Shahdadkot