Building dreams

Pakistan has moved closer to the rest of the world by appointing Yousaf Saleem as the first visually impaired judge in the country. Despite being a gold medallist at Punjab University where he completed his LLB Honours and then topping the written judiciary exam among 6, 500 candidates Yousaf who qualified for an interview as one of 21 candidates was dropped because he suffered blindness. The matter was taken up on a suo-motu basis by the Chief Justice of Pakistan in April after The News reported the case. Chief Justice Saqib Nisar noted that Saleem’s fundamental constitutional rights had been taken away from him and referred the matter back to the CJ of the Lahore High Court. Yousaf has now been appointed civil judge, permitting his dream to become a reality.

Yousaf belongs to a family that has refused to allow disability to stand in the way of its children’s education and success. Two of his four sisters are also blind. Of them, Saima Saleem became the first blind person to compete the CSS exam in 2007. She obtained sixth position, opting for the Foreign Service and was posted to UN missions around the world. Currently she is deputy secretary at the PM’s Secretariat. Another of Yousaf Saleem’s sister is currently teaching at a Lahore University while completing her PhD. Yousaf’s story shows that when the will exists disabled persons are as capable as their able-bodied peers. By taking up the matter, the CJP has also acted to empower disabled persons everywhere in the country and show that under the constitution their rights are no less than those of other citizens. The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities ratified by Pakistan grants a three percent quota to disabled persons. A 1981 ordinance gives this Convention the force of law. There are many examples from around the world of visually impaired persons acting as judges or in other senior positions within the judiciary. They have also served in governments and in other capacities. Pakistan has taken a step forward by joining them and enabling Yousaf Saleem to realise his dreams.