After losing both legs in blast, teenager now works for the disabled

PESHAWAR: A teenager who lost both his legs in a blast in Kurram Agency on July 25, 2011 has criticised the government for not compiling data about disabled persons in the Federally Administered tribal Areas (Fata).

Talking to The News here on Tuesday, Irfanullah Jan said that July 25 is a black day for him as six years ago on this day he was rendered disabled in a terror act in Sadda bazaar in Kurram Agency.

Irfanullah Jan thanked Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif for providing him financial assistance in getting artificial limbs.

He said he was provided artificial limbs at the Pakistan Institute of Prosthetic and Orthotic Sciences in Hayatabad, but he was not comfortable in these artificial limbs.

“I found out that German manufactured limbs were of good quality but that cost Rs600,000, which was beyond the reach of my family,” he said, adding, he contacted every institution working for special persons in the province but to no avail.

“Finally, I wrote a letter to Shahbaz Sharif for financial assistance to get the German manufactured limbs,” he said. “He enabled me to resume normal life,” he remarked.

Irfanullah asked the government to establish hospitals for special persons and special education centres in Fata and allocate quota for disabled persons in national and provincial assemblies.

He asked the prime minister to appoint an advisor for special persons who would update the chief executive on the issues of special persons.

He said that the two percent quota in jobs for special persons was not sufficient and demanded that it should be increased to five percent.

Irfanullah formed the Kurram Union of Special Persons in 2014 and was appointed Youth Ambassador by the Pakistan Red Crescent Society in 2016 due to his efforts for the rights of special persons.

He urged special persons to continue efforts for their rights and for a better life. “No special child should be out of school.

Special persons can play an effective role in the country’s development provided they get access to education,” he added.