Karachi: The Pakistan Business and Disability Network (PBDN), in collaboration with the Employers’ Federation of Pakistan (EFP) and supported by Sightsavers, organized an Awareness-Raising Session for Employers on Disability Inclusion at a local hotel. The event saw participation from over 40 organizations across various sectors, focusing on boosting employers’ confidence in hiring and supporting persons with disabilities and promoting inclusive workplaces in Pakistan.
According to Employers’ Federation of Pakistan, the session aimed to equip employers with essential insights and practical tools for fostering an inclusive workplace culture that embraces persons with disabilities. Syed Nazar Ali, Secretary General of EFP, welcomed participants and outlined the session’s objectives, highlighting the alignment of disability inclusion with business interests. Majyd Aziz commended the collaborative efforts of EFP-PBDN and Sightsavers in promoting disability inclusion, urging participants to focus on the strengths and capabilities of persons with disabilities.
Jamila Yar of Sightsavers delivered a technical presentation to raise awareness among employers about disability inclusion, covering topics such as Disability Fundamentals, Common Workplace Barriers, and the Business and Ethical Rationale for Disability Inclusion. Participants engaged in interactive group activities, discussing real-world challenges and exploring strategies for integrating persons with disabilities into the workforce.
Irfan ul Haq, Senior Manager at DHL, shared his personal success story as a person with a physical impairment, emphasizing the value of workplace inclusion and the need for equal opportunities for persons with disabilities. Mobeen Chughtai from Soorty Textile and Mustafa Ahmed from Artistic Milliners shared their positive experiences in hiring persons with disabilities, offering insights and recommendations for inclusive employment practices.
The session fostered a sense of confidence among employers, empowering them to integrate persons with disabilities within their organizations more effectively. Participants appreciated PBDN’s efforts in advancing disability inclusion and underscored the importance of building the skills and capacities of persons with disabilities to enhance their workforce integration, contributing to an inclusive employment landscape in Pakistan.