Minister for Energy, Development, and Planning, Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, announced the construction of an 80-acre city complex for persons with disabilities during a provincial conference on disability rights. The minister highlighted Sindh’s progress in enacting legislation for the disabled, aligning with the vision of Chairman PPP Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. He revealed that over 900,000 disabled individuals are registered in Sindh, emphasizing the need for shelter homes in all divisions, which will be included in the upcoming budget.
Jobs have been provided to disabled individuals, and the government aims to enforce quotas in private institutions, particularly in Sukkur. Efforts are also underway to address the misuse of disability certificates, with improvements planned for the one-window operation by involving NADRA and other relevant institutions. The minister noted that Rs. 2 billion is allocated annually as grants to NGOs working for the welfare of disabled individuals, and additional improvements are in the pipeline. He stated, “The federal government appreciates Sindh’s initiatives for special persons.” Nasir Hussain Shah endorsed the resolutions presented at the conference, including the inclusion of disabled individuals in provincial and national assemblies. He stressed the need for specialized wings to foster collaboration between government institutions and organizations for persons with disabilities.
He also called for a digital awareness campaign, inspired by Sharjeel Memon’s social media efforts, to connect citizens with solutions to their challenges. NDF Pakistan President Abid Lashari presented a resolution urging better representation for disabled individuals. The Sindh government has implemented a one-percent representation quota in municipalities, with disabled representatives now actively participating in municipal bodies.
