DWA not given grant so far - Pakistan

Disabled Welfare Association (DWA) has not yet received any grant despite Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah announced Rs 500,000 and a plot association in 2008. International Day of Persons with Disabilities is annually observed all over the world on December 3 with an objective to show solidarity with disabled persons and to promote an awareness of issues of disability and the fundamental rights of disable persons.

While due to deprivation of basic needs and rights of disabled persons the international day of persons with disabilities have become a symbol of demands and protest against deprivation in Pakistan. Disabled persons are deprived from their fundamental rights which made life of handicapped in Pakistan so dark.

Javed Rais, President, DWA told Business Recorder here on Thursday that in December 2008 CM Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah had announced Rs 500000 and a plot for DWA. After a long period of two years DWA have not yet received any plot or money as announced in 2008, he added. While talking about job opportunities he said that in the whole World particular quota of jobs is fixed for disabled people while in Pakistan disabled people are not yet served as per requirement.

He demanded immediate implementation on two percent quota of jobs for disabled persons in government and private sectors. Public transport should be made accessible to the disabled people, he added. Javed Rais said that "Independent Living Centres" should be established in every city of the country so that the disabled persons would perform as independent and active citizen in the society.

Reema Kanwal, member DWA is physically disabled but she is an ambitious lady. She told Business Recorder that the rights of disabled persons have become international law in the convention of United Nation in recent days. She demanded government of Pakistan to sign it for the betterment of disabled people. She said that disabled persons should also get representation in senate and in provincial and federal assemblies like minorities and females. While talking about special funds Reema Kanwal said that those disable people who wait for their demise on bed should get monthly stipend as social security. In this regard special funds should be allocated in federal and provincial budget for them, she added. She demanded the government that instead of making policy for disabled persons on one-sided basis, the representatives of disabled people should be taken on board in the formulation of policies.

On the International Day of Persons with Disabilities a peaceful protest walk would be held by DWA on December 3, 2010 at 03:30pm which would start from Karachi Press Club to Chief Minister House. A memorandum would also be presented to the Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah on the occasion.