Visually Impaired in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Demand Action on Job Quota and Welfare
In Peshawar, Pakistan, visually impaired individuals from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have expressed their frustration with the government’s unfulfilled promises regarding the 2% job quota and delays in welfare schemes. This was highlighted during an event by the Pakistan Association of the Blind on World White Cane Safety Day.
Government’s Acknowledgment
Qasim Ali Shah, the Minister for Social Welfare and Women’s Development, admitted the government’s shortcomings in addressing these issues. He assured that funds for disabled individuals would be used this year, but did not provide a timeline for enforcing the job quota law.
Symbolic Importance of the White Cane
Qari Saad Noor, President of the Pakistan Association of the Blind, emphasized the white cane as a symbol of independence and called for a safer environment for the visually impaired to participate in society.
Calls for Immediate Action
The event, supported by the Government School for Blind Students and the TARS Foundation, ended with demands for immediate government action. Without reforms, the differently-abled community will continue to face neglect and inefficiency.
Protests in Lahore
In August, specially-abled citizens in Lahore protested for higher salaries and regularization of government employees, citing concerns over rising inflation.
Doubts Revealed
Visually Impaired -: Visually impaired means people who have difficulty seeing or are unable to see at all. They may use tools like glasses, magnifiers, or white canes to help them.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa -: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is a province in Pakistan. It is located in the northwestern part of the country and has many mountains and beautiful landscapes.
Job Quota -: A job quota is a policy that reserves a certain percentage of jobs for specific groups of people, like those who are visually impaired, to ensure they have fair employment opportunities.
Welfare Schemes -: Welfare schemes are government programs designed to help people in need, such as providing financial support, healthcare, or education to improve their quality of life.
Pakistan Association of the Blind -: The Pakistan Association of the Blind is an organization that supports people who are visually impaired in Pakistan. They work to improve their rights and opportunities.
Qasim Ali Shah -: Qasim Ali Shah is a government minister in Pakistan. In this context, he is involved in discussions about the rights and welfare of visually impaired people.
White Cane -: A white cane is a tool used by visually impaired people to help them navigate their surroundings safely. It is also a symbol of independence and mobility for them.
Lahore -: Lahore is a major city in Pakistan, known for its rich history and culture. It is the capital of the Punjab province.
Specially-abled -: Specially-abled is a term used to describe people who have different abilities, such as those with physical or mental challenges, and who may need special support or accommodations.