Islamabad: A national consultation organized by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Islamabad called for urgent action to ensure that people with disabilities (PWDs) in Pakistan can participate fully in elections. The event emphasized the need for the provincial and federal governments to adhere to national and international legal frameworks that support the removal of barriers hindering PWDs from voting.

According to United Nations Development Programme, the consultation brought together representatives from PWD groups, parliamentarians, government officials, and various civil society organizations. It followed four provincial focus group discussions that identified the key barriers PWDs face, particularly concerning the accessibility of public buildings used as polling stations. The gathering culminated in a set of action points aimed at enhancing accessibility, which will be further discussed at the upcoming “National Implementation Framework on Enhancing the Accessibility for Persons with Disability in Pakistan.”

Discussions during the event highlighted the patchy implementation of existing disability laws, with some provinces like Khyber Pakhtunkhwa lacking specific legislation on disability. The participants agreed on the necessity of a collaborative approach involving government entities, civil society, and PWDs themselves to ensure no voter is left behind due to accessibility issues. The recommendations call for a comprehensive review and improvement of pre-election processes, better infrastructure planning, and stronger legislative enforcement to facilitate inclusive voting experiences for all citizens.