KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has approved a grant of Rs16 million and vehicles for the Pakistan Association of the Blind, Sindh. The vehicles will be used to transport blind children from their homes to school.

In a meeting with the association, CM Shah emphasized the provincial government's commitment to implementing the five percent job quota for differently-abled persons. "We are dedicated to ensuring that differently-abled individuals have access to employment opportunities within the government sector," he stated.

The meeting, which included PSCM Agha Wasif and Secretary DEPD Tauha Farooqi, focused on the needs and challenges faced by the blind community in Sindh. The delegation from the Pakistan Association of the Blind was led by President Riaz Memon, and included Senior Vice President Ghulam Dastagir, General Secretary Saad Noor, and Secretary Finance Mohsin Ali.

Furthermore, the Chief Minister pledged to discuss with NADRA the inclusion of disability status on CNICs to facilitate better access to services and opportunities for differently-abled persons. This initiative marks a significant step towards improving the quality of life for the blind community in Sindh and ensuring their full integration into society.

The CM said that the President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari has directed him to resolve all the issues of the persons with persons with impairment of vision. At this, Riaz Memon, president of the Association, said that his delegation had called on him [President Zardari]. Riaz said that Asif Ali Zardari, during his last tenure as President of Pakistan, had granted them a concession card for travelling in PIA and Railways, which was rescinded when his tenure was over.

He said that the PPP government of Gilani had also supported them, and the support was discontinued when the government was changed. The CM was told that Blind persons should be issued a CNIC reflecting their vision impairment. At this, the CM assured the association that he would talk to the NADRA authorities to resolve their issue.

The association members requested the CM approve an annual grant for their association. At this, the CM approved the Rs16 million annual grant and directed the DEPD Secretary to send him a summary for formal approval. The association members told the CM that their two centres - Larkana and Karachi - needed transport facilities for pick and drop.

The CM approved two vehicles for them to pick up children from home for the Center/School and then drop them back home. Murad Ali Shah told the association that there would be separate facilities for the blind at Inclusive City and their members would be taken into confidence in developing facilities there.

Blind Association members lauded the CM for his steadfast support for differently-abled persons.

Published in The Daily National Courier, July, 27 2024

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