SWAT: (PAKHTUN ENGLISH) Persons with disabilities staged a peaceful protest in front of the Swat Press Club on Independence Day, calling for the immediate implementation of their legal rights and long-standing demands.
The demonstrators held banners and placards inscribed with various slogans advocating for their rights. The event was led by Forum Chairman Syed Zulfiqar Ali, President Ghulam Ahad, and General Secretary Faisal Yousafzai, among other key members, who addressed the participants.
Speaking to the gathering, the leaders criticised the failure of successive governments to enforce legislation passed for the welfare of disabled citizens. They pointed out that during General Pervez Musharraf’s regime, a 2% job quota was reserved for the disabled in government employment. This quota was later increased to 4% under former Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mahmood Khan. However, they lamented that the policy has yet to be implemented effectively.
The protestors demanded that employment opportunities be ensured for qualified disabled persons, and monthly stipends be provided to those unable to work. They also called for the allocation of special seats for disabled persons in provincial, national, and local government bodies.
Additional demands included exemption from all government taxes, dedicated service counters in hospitals, provision of electric wheelchairs to registered disabled persons, and access to scholarships for medical treatment and education abroad. They further urged the government to establish examination centres in native areas to ease accessibility for students with disabilities.
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Highlighting the plight of disabled individuals forced to beg in hospitals and marketplaces, the speakers urged the government to offer employment or transfer them to appropriate welfare institutions.
Concluding the protest, the leaders called on the government and relevant authorities to immediately recognise and implement the legitimate demands of the disabled community.
