President Dr. Arif Ali realizing the miniature contribution of differently abled persons within society, has stressed the need of developing the skills of special persons to bring them in mainstream and making them able to play role in country’s developments.
These views were expressed by him while addressing the foundation stone laying ceremony of upgraded complex of Al-Shifa Trust, Special School & Rehabilitation Centre here on Tuesday.
Dr. Arif Alvi emphasized the need of mainstream schools and skills development programs for differently-abled persons.
He said that according to the world survey, there was 12 to 14 per cent differently abled persons (DAPs) and some of them were physical disabled but mentally stable. The Sign Language Technology had been developed at such level where it could help them to read, write and speak, he added.
He appreciated organizations like KFC and others for hiring DAPs and asserted that the jobs should be created for them as they could play their roles in the organization as they needed the jobs, not charity.
The President said DAPs were usually found to be isolated as families could not take them to markets or other areas due to issue like not availability of wheelchairs and other facilities within premise of buildings or markets.
To give an access to these peoples, the availability of wheelchairs was being ensured in every building in Karachi and Islamabad, he added. Dr. Arif Alvi said the society should come forward and extend all kinds of support to these persons as they were part of the society.
Underscoring the need for proper care of differently-abled persons and philanthropists to come forward to support them, he stated that our Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (Peace be upon him) had stressed philanthropy and social revival.
The President said that the government had provided Rs 2000 per month to special persons under the ‘Ehsaas’ program.
While applauding the efforts of the ‘Ehsaas’ program during COVID-19, he said that Pakistan had efficiently coped with the situation and the world had appreciated the steps taken during the pandemic.
President Alvi said that the universities had been directed to play their role in providing physical access to differently-abled persons in schools, colleges and universities.
Higher Education Commission (HEC) had issued directives to the universities not to charge the fees from special persons to encourage their education, he added.
Appreciating the efforts taken by Pakistan International Airline (PIA) for running the schools for special children, the President asked the people especially from Karachi to donate for such work which could help the special children to live better life by playing their role within the society.
While addressing the ceremony, CEO Pakistan International Airline (PIA), Air Marshall Arshad Malik urged the society to come forward in fund raising to support the special cause.
He further informed that Al-Shifa was the flagship set up of PIA commenced as a Social Welfare agency in 1967 in collaboration with Civil Aviation and converted into Al-Shifa Trust in 1981.
