Govt looking after the disabled indicator of social uplift, says CM

Disabled children show their talent at Abilities Expo 2017, an event organised to highlight efforts of philanthropic organisations and special education department

Looking after people with disabilities is an indicator of a society’s social development, the chief minister said at the Abilities Expo 2017 on Saturday.

“It is our duty to look after the vulnerable segments of society,” Syed Murad Ali Shah said while speaking as the chief guest of the event organised at the Expo Centre aimed at highlighting the efforts of philanthropic organisations and the provincial special education department.

The chief minister called for a partnership between the civil society and the government to help achieve the aim of making the society more inclusive by absorbing unfortunate individuals as useful members. “The government cannot achieve this all by itself,” he added.

“We must work for the inclusivity of our less fortunate brothers and sisters who have been smitten by misfortune and make it clear to them that they are as much a part of the society and as useful as the more fortunate ones.”

Shah said the provincial government was celebrating the day with a renewed commitment that extra efforts and practical steps would be taken to achieve the objective of an inclusive society that included a state-of-the art infrastructure facilities, rehabilitation and skill development for disabled people.

He invited the non-governmental organisations and the other stakeholders to guide the government as that how and where and in what manner steps could be taken for the collective benefits for disabled people.

He emphasised on the need for more fairs like Abilities Expo, which promoted inclusion in the society and showed the world a better and soft image of Pakistan.

The chief minister said the provincial government was ready to provide financial and moral support to disabled people. Such platforms provide an opportunity to disabled children to bring their talent in front of masses,” he added.

Later, he cut a ribbon to inaugurate the exhibition. Dr Zulfiqar Ali Shallwani, the special education secretary, said on the occasion that it was unique event held to highlight the efforts made for disabled people. He added that he would propose to the government that the event should be made an annual feature. “This exhibition will be a flag-bearer for other provinces to follow.”

Rubina Inaam, the principal of the Karachi Vocational Training School, said their mission was to create inclusivity for the intellectually disabled.

There were several stalls set up by organisations working for the welfare of disabled people.

At the KVTC stall, there was an 18-year-old disabled youth, who despite being unable to speak fluently, was able to respond to all the queries put forward to him.  He said his name was Shahzor and was working for Attock Cement. When asked as to what his duties entailed, he replied without hesitation or fumbling, “I am involved in filling.” Shahzor was treated and rehabilitated at the KVTC.

The disabled people at the KVTC stall also presented a tableau depicting the fisherfolk culture of Sindh, complete with dances as well as a musical version of “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs”. The disabled people at the Pakistan Air Force Centre for Special Children, Korangi stall presented a tableau depicting the fight against terrorism. The male participants dressed in battle fatigues fired toy guns. The tableau depicted a group of outlaws kidnapping women and how these “gallant young men” come to their rescue. None could say that there was any mental deficiency in them, so perfect was their presentation.

There were disabled girls creating floral embroidery patterns with sewing machines.

From the Darul Sakoon, Kashmir Road Centre, patients suffering from cerebral palsy, intellectual impairment, hearing disorders, and Down’s Syndrome participated in the event. There was a video presentation showing how they learned to swim. The stall of the PAF’s Korangi Centre for Disabled Children featured meticulously made mirrors, frames, flower vases, tissue boxes and cushions made by the children.

However, despite the noble efforts of the organisers, there was mismanagement at the event. The three halls were packed like sardines and there was hardly place to move. Even those who had reached half-an-hour ahead of schedule could not find sitting space. All the chairs in the press enclosure had been usurped by political stalwarts and the media personnel had to make do without seats.