Karachi: In a significant move to bolster support for the visually impaired, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has announced a series of initiatives, including the approval of vehicles for transporting blind students and a substantial financial grant.
According to Chief Minister Sindh, during a meeting with representatives from the Pakistan Association of the Blind Sindh, Chief Minister Shah committed to implementing a five percent quota in government jobs for differently-abled persons and approved a 16 million rupee annual grant to aid the association. The discussions were held in the presence of notable officials including Agha Wasif, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, and Taha Farooqui, Secretary of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPD).
The delegation, led by Association President Riaz Memon, expressed the community’s needs and previous supports, noting past endorsements from political figures like former President Asif Ali Zardari and former Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani, which had waned over time. Memon highlighted the necessity for restored benefits such as the discount card for travel, which was discontinued after Zardari’s term.
In response to requests from the association, the Chief Minister sanctioned the purchase of two vehicles specifically designed to transport blind children from their homes to educational centers in Karachi and Larkana, ensuring safe and reliable transportation for their daily needs.
Furthermore, the Chief Minister assured that he would discuss with NADRA officials the possibility of issuing identity cards to blind individuals to formally recognize their visual impairment. He also referenced plans for an “Inclusive City,” promising that the blind community would be consulted in the development of dedicated facilities within this new urban space.
The initiatives have been met with appreciation from the members of the association, who praised the ongoing support from the Chief Minister’s office for differently abled persons.