Lahore, In a significant move towards inclusivity, the Inspector General of Police Punjab, Dr. Usman Anwar, has instructed the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Traffic Punjab to consult with the Punjab government about issuing driving licenses to individuals with hearing and speech impairments. This directive follows a meeting with a delegation of hearing and speech impaired individuals, emphasizing the need for amendments in current licensing procedures to accommodate special persons.

According to Punjab Police, the meeting held at the Central Police Office included a diverse group of hearing and speech impaired individuals from various walks of life. They expressed their desire for the ability to obtain driving licenses. In response, Dr. Usman Anwar has asked the SSP Traffic to seek guidance from the Punjab government, considering international laws, to facilitate the issuance of these licenses. The Inspector General mentioned that in response to the requests and demands of the delegation, a proposal would be forwarded to amend existing laws.

The meeting included several members of the hearing and speech impaired community, such as Usman Ashraf Butt, Muhammad Waqas, Irfan, Muhammad Usman, Waseem, Rizwan, Ayaz, Ghulam Ahmed, and Syed Atta ur Rehman. Representing the Punjab Police were DIG Welfare Ghazi Muhammad Salah ud din, SSP Traffic Ghazanfar Ali Shah, and other officers. Dr. Anwar also proposed the installation of special stickers on vehicles driven by hearing and speech impaired individuals and the formulation of a specific licensing procedure.

This initiative marks a step towards greater accessibility and equality for special persons, aligning with international standards and laws. Dr. Anwar emphasized that the Punjab Police is committed to providing all necessary facilities to hearing and speech impaired individuals within the framework of the law.