The Disabled People Organizations of Pakistan observe 05th July as National Day of People with disabilities to commemorate the ratification of UNCRPD (United Nations Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities) made by Pakistan on 05th July 2011. This year is being observed under title “THE POLITICAL PARTICIPATION” to address article 29 of UNCRPD. The UNCRPD is Disability is given number of definitions but as per UNCRPD the disability is defined “Persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which in interaction with various barriers may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others”.
Persons with disabilities are 15% part of population of developing countries WHO report declares. Persons with disabilities are given various names like handicapped persons, disabled persons, special persons, persons with special needs, challenged persons, persons with different abilities etc……., but these names do not reduce impairments or barriers from society, these names create only sympathy but not empathy, meanwhile persons with disabilities need empathy but not sympathy. UNCRPD (United Nations Convention of Rights of Persons with disabilities) is the universal convention signed by 155 nations of the world & 130 countries have ratified, to enable persons with disabilities in mainstream society. UNCRPD has given one name which is accepted by all that is “persons with disabilities”, because whenever someone born in the world, he is a human (person) first, then he is he or she, then he is Muslim or non-Muslim, persons with disabilities are human so that word person comes first then his/her disability comes. This name has dignity for persons with disabilities.
Persons with disabilities are not given acceptance from the society; therefore persons with disabilities are facing barriers. The society treats with persons with disabilities like burden over society, it treats like patients, like children & like gods. Meanwhile the persons with disabilities are not patients to be cured in the hospitals, not children to be kept into homes, not gods to be worshiped; what they are? They are human as you are; they have same rights to enjoy as you have, so please consider persons with disabilities as human.
The persons with disabilities have proved that disability is not curse but blessing in disguise. They have proved themselves in education sector, livelihood, and sports and in all spheres of life. Number of persons with disabilities have received higher education & received high slots in the jobs. They have proved their worth in sports from local level to international level received number of medals in Special Olympics, Paralympics, Abilympics and Deaflympics.
The disability is not inability; society must recognize the worth of disability and enable persons with disabilities as useful active citizen of society. The disabled friendly environment is need of hour. If we support persons with disabilities it means we are increasing our manpower.
Pakistan has ratified UNCRPD on 05th July 2011, which is great development. Now Government is bound to treat persons with disabilities in respect of UNCRPD’s 50 articles. Those articles address all miseries faced by persons with disabilities in daily life. The Pakistan Government has taken number of initiatives like issuance of Special National Identity cards, by which persons with disabilities availing concession in fares of airways, train & public transport. Somehow poor implementation is witnessed which is other part of story, which needs concentration by the administration.
The Government has reserved 02% job quota in all departments including private sector. Some districts have followed & provided jobs against quota but many of districts facing poor implementation. The quota is not enough as our populations exists, in Pakistan there are 04 categories of persons with disabilities like persons with physical disabilities, persons with blindness, persons with hearing disabilities & persons with intellectual disabilities. But one Down syndrome is also a category but still to be officially declared by government. If we have 05 categories then there should be 05% job quota, easy to distribute among all categories.
The legislative assemblies formulate policies, but no one discuss accessibilities of persons with disabilities, there is dire need to ensure political participation of persons with disabilities as per UNCRPD article No. 29, to participate in discussion as Member of Parliament. The resolution to allocate special seats for persons with disabilities in all assemblies including senate; was passed by standing committee on human rights during previous tenure of national assembly, but formal bill could not be tabled, it is highly demanded by new government to table the bill accordingly.
People with disabilities of Pakistan have promoted name of Pakistan at national level to international level, they are leading many networks from regional level to global level, and despite it Government is reluctant to accept their potential & role in the world. Government of Pakistan should recognize the services made by persons with disabilities at worldwide by awarding civil awards. We have number of names like Mr. Ghulam Nabi Nizamani, Mr. Atif Sheikh, Mr. Shafiq ur Rehman, Mr. Abid Lashari, Mr. Mian Asim Zafar, Ali Mukhtar Jaffary, Ms. Abia Akram, Mr. Javed Rais, Muna Bhai, Mr. Mobin ud din, Mr. Nabi Bux Shar, Rafiq Balouch, Riaz Balouch, Khursheed Alam, Ahsan Daudzai, Ms. Anna Iqbal Bhatti, Mr. Mumtaz Mangi, Ms. Maria Qureshi, Ms. Saima Aslam, Mr. Imran & many others to be written in golden words. They have done lots of efforts for the sake of dignity of persons with disabilities & their beloved country within limited resources.
The persons with disabilities have hidden abilities, so please explore them and utilize to develop a society of inclusive development. Inclusive development is name of integration of persons with disabilities in mainstream society. Insha Allah persons with disabilities will find their destination very soon “A Barrier Free Society for All” as per UNCRPD articles.
By : Abid Lashari
Email : abid.lashari@ndfpakistan.org
Source : The Frontier Post , 6th July 2013
Source : The Frontier Post , 6th July 2013
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