International day of persons with disabilities

With collaboration of “Pakistan Special Persons Development Organization” Swat

December 03, 2014 Programme for Economic Advancement and Community Empowerment (PEACE)

Funded by European Union Implemented by SRSP

Reported by: Bahadur Ali, Regional HRDO SRSP Swat

SRSP Swat on the request of Pakistan Special Persons Development Organization (PSPDO) Swat organized “International

day of persons with disabilities” at Aumang Model School Matta Swat on December 03, 2014. More than 200

representatives from concerned government departments, developmental organizations, Pak Army, Media and other

stakeholders as well as men and women from all walks of life especially persons with disabilities participated. Mr.

Ehsanullah Khan (Member BOD) and Mr. Ijaz Ali (DPM) SRSP also participated. Mr. Riaz Ali Khan (Assistant Commissioner

Matta Swat) was invited in the occasion as chief guest.

The event was started with recitation from the Holy Quran

performed by one among the training participants, followed by

Naat Sharif performed by girl students.

Mr. Yousuf Khan, President of Pakistan Special Persons Development Organization

(PSPDO) Swat presented warm welcome to all the coming guests and entire

participants. He further added that PSPDO Swat has been established in 2007 and

registered in 2012 with Social Welfare Department. He also highlighted the activities

being carried out by PSPDO especially with regard to persons with disabilities

(PWDs) and briefed the participants regarding celebrating international day for

persons with disabilities on December 03, 2014.

Colonel Retired Abdul Ghaffar Khan, while expressing his views he thanked all the

guests and participants. He further highlighted rights and duties of PWDs and

stressed on attitudinal change of common people with PWDs.

Mr. Naeem Sultan Khan (Director Aumang Model School

Matta) thanked the guests and entire participants for their

timely participation. He further highlighted activities and

efforts what they are doing. He also pointed out the problems

faced by PWDs and requested the concerned line

departments and stakeholders to contribute their efforts in

overcoming and minimizing these problems. He shared that

provision of assistance to PWDs could onward lead towards

inclusive society. He once again requested that PWDs are part

of our society and they need our attention.

Major Zafar Ali (Pak Army Matta)

first he thanked the organizers of

this event and all participants. He

further presented warm address to

the organizations and stakeholders

for providing continuous support to

persons with disabilities. He also

highlighted the efforts being done by

Pak Army for the welfare of PWDs

and ensured all possible support in

future.

Tableau was presented by dumb students of Aumang Model

School, which was very charming for all the participants. It was

very informative tableau through which they conveyed an

important message to all with regard to importance of

education for PWDs.

Mr. Ijaz Ali (District Programme Manager SRSP Swat) while expressing his views he thanked the entire participants and then

asked the crowd to raise their hands those people who are PWDs so that to show their active participation. He further added

that as per world statistics 15 % population of the world is PWDs, which become more than 18 million PWDs in Pakistan. He

further stressed on leadership of PWDs and their rights. He also shared that due to less attention of common people with

PWDs in our society, they are always in trouble especially when any disaster occurred. He also gave better touch with Islamic

point of view and added that much more attention they need. He was also of the opinion that unluckily there is no

representation of PWDs in policy makers, so it is very essential for PWDs to organize and carry on struggle for their rights.

Mr. Farooq Maseeh (Handicap International) thanked the participants and highlighted

activities being done by Handicap International in Pakistan. He also discussed in detail

about PWDs, their importance and role in our society and stressed on better attitude of

common folk with PWDs. He appreciated the PSPDO and Aumang and their activities. In

the last he shared that being human we all are equal and to be treated equal.

Mr. Iftikhar Ahmad (Awakening Organization

Swat) while expressing his views he welcomed all

the participants. He further briefed the

participants and added that he is himself PWD. He

also shared the activities being carried out by

Awakening Organization especially with regard to

legal rights of PWDs

Mr. Badar ul Hakim (Community Activist) started

with Pashto poem and welcomed all the participants.

He stressed on attitudinal change especially with

PWDs. He requested concerned departments for

providing ramps farcicalities in schools and hospitals

Mr. Nasar Khan (KHSUBOO Organization) presented warm welcome to the entire

guests and participants. He stressed on preventive measures and requested

district administration to fully cooperate in vaccine venture to be started soon.

Mr. Ehsanullah Khan (Member BOD SRSP) while expressing his views he first got attention of

the chief guest to concentrate on PWDs on every part of life and added that PWDs are

important part of our society and we all should treat them with human sympathy. He further

highlighted SRSP and its working approach in KP especially in Malakand Division.

Free of cost notebooks were distributed among PWDs students from Awakening Organization.

Mr. Riaz Ali Khan (Assistant Commissioner Matta) and chief guest of the event while expressing his

views he thanked the participants for their active and timely participation. He also stressed on council

formation of PWDs to strengthen coordination among the concerned departments, organizations and

PWDs. He ensured all possible support from district and tehsil administration. He once again thanked

Mr. Ehsanullah Khan (Member BOD SRSP) for his kind and valuable efforts.

Shields and awards were also distributed by PSPDO Swat

among PWDs on their best performance.