The 116th radio program as part of the Center for Research and Security Studies’ (CRSS) counter-radicalization initiative Ulasi Taroon (Social Cohesion) aired on the subject topic.
The first guest on show, Dr. Ilyas Syed, CEO Paraplegic Center, Hayatabad, Peshawar noted that people with physical disabilities are differently abled as they have exceptional capabilities to excel in different areas of life and still capable to achieve a lot. According to The Disabled Persons (Employment and Rehabilitation) Ordinance, 1981, they have rights for their employment, rehabilitation, and welfare and for matters connected therewith. They have all those rights which are highlighted by Convention on Rights of the Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) – 2006, including right to life, equal recognition before the law, liberty and security, protection of the integrity and independent living.
Differently abled persons do not feel any kind of disability in the developed countries as they offer a whole range of dedicated services and facilities easily accessible to such people. Such a portion of population in Pakistan also deserves the same level of treatment; rights and facilities. The state and society should also be considerate of the special needs of such people during the pandemic, as the challenges of COVID crises are more formidable for them to deal with.
The government should undertake initiatives to build an inclusive infrastructure which is cognizant of the citizens’ different needs as a measure of social inclusion and fostering sense of belonging among all the citizens.
The second guest on show, Mr. Rizwan Ahmed, student of Sarhad University of Information Technology (SUIT), noted that participation in CRSS’s Ulasi Taroon workshop sensitized me to respect others rights, be respectful of the people with different opinions and empathetic of the diverse needs of differently abled people. Cultivating such a mindset is extremely important for a peaceful society and for successful conflict resolution.
The third guest on show, Mr. Imad Khan, a graduate from University of Peshawar, noted that the COVID-19 has added to the difficulties faced by the people with special needs. There should be a special representation of the differently abled population in the upper and lower houses of parliament to help this marginalized segment of the society play their role in the development of the country.
About Ulasi Taroon
Ulasi Taroon is a counter radicalization initiative of Center for Research and Security Studies that aims to address the radicalization challenges, extremist ideologies and foster social cohesion through a discourse anchored in the core constitutional values which are fundamentally essential prerequisites for social peace and harmony. The endeavor aims to cultivate and sensitize the people of KP in the core values in the Pakistani constitution and our social contract. It’s an attempt to highlight the criticality of abiding by these ideals – such as adherence to rule of law, primacy and sanctity of constitution, equal citizenry, responsible citizenship, respect for fundamental human rights, tolerance for diversity and different opinions, inclusive democracy and good governance – as a measure of strengthening social cohesion and promoting peaceful co-existence.