ALHAMDULILLAH, under the Pakistan Disabled Foundation on the occasion of International day of Disabled Persons, 5th National Convention of Disabled Women was held from 1st to 3rd December 2021. The Convention started on 1st December through informal session of registration, interaction and briefing of the program together with welcome dinner at National Skills University, Islamabad. The dinner followed by tea was sponsored by Kamal ullah Hashmi, Ex-Leader of the East Pakistan and Former President of the Bangladesh Federation of the Blind, residing in Canada graced the occasion online by his experience based valuable expression.
The formal inaugural ceremony had taken place on 2nd December at the same venue graced by the Federal Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mr. Ali Muhammad Khan as the Chief Guest while Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Mukhtar presided over the ceremony. The Chairman PDF presented the address of welcome prior to that all the Female Delegates and their Guides were presented shawls and packet of dry fruit as the winter gifts, a token of warm welcome. The delegates were sincerely delighted to receive the gifts. Mr. Chairman Shahid Memon in his address of welcome by welcoming the guests briefed the activities and philosophy of the foundation who also expressed most sincere thanks to the Minister of Railways Honorable Mr. Azam Swati for his kind meeting and all the facilitation together with handsome discount to the disabled travelers proceeding to the destination. It was one of the adventurous and most pleasant journey only because of the courtesy of the Minister and his staff right from the Karachi to Rawalpindi, every concerned staff was alert.
The traveling disabled women were of the opinion that, perhaps they are traveling in one of the advanced countries. Allah may bless Swati Sahib, Pakistan Railways and all the concerned staff. Mr. Memon also expressed deepest thanks and appreciation for the continuous and cordial practical cooperation of Dr. Mukhtar and his team together with students on behalf of National Skills University, Islamabad. Mr. Memon also welcomed and appreciated with sincere thanks the participation of disabled women and experts of the field from all over the country.
Dr. Mukhtar in his speech once again assured the much more meaningful cooperation and long-time steps in favor of the disabled community. He also announced on behalf of the management of the University regarding different competitions under UN logo for International Day and awards to the winners, plus courtesy lunch. Mr. Minister in his speech, all the relevant aspects in a thought provoking manner by repeatedly quoting Qur’anic Verses and otherwise. He assured the Government cooperation and legal facilitation through existing laws, rules and regulation to ensure the administrative facilities without hindrance and misleading. The inaugural ceremony was concluded at tea break.
The first business session was graced by Dr. Raja Mazhar Hameed Managing Director National Book Foundation and presided over by Chairman Shahid Memon. The distinguished Lady Guests like Dr. Farzana Sulaiman from Karachi, Miss Fozia luni from Quetta, Mrs. Farzana Bhatti from Islamabad, Ms. Fakhira Tabassum from Lahore, Dr. Saira Saleem from Karachi University, Mrs. Huma Shahan from Islamabad (media representative) ,Prof. Urooj Fatimah from Karachi , miss rehana Gul from Peshawar and Miss Ester Jane from special Education Department Sindh expressed their views about their achievements together with obstacles and difficulties faced by them, even then they successfully completed their careers so far. Dr. Raja in his expression announced to make functional and activate the approved braille and digital library and of course appointment of committee to facilitate and monitor the addmissive facilities.
The second business session was on IT, its training and use by the disabled community. The following speakers Irum Naz from Sialkot, Rabial Pirzada from PFFB Islamabad, Sadia Saba from Islamabad, Hawara Murteza and Asia Ishteyaq from Karachi especially first blind civil judge Mr. Yousuf Saleem from Lahore expressed their views about the urgently needed Urdu talking software and application of mobiles especially in the light of the generous decision of the Government to announce all duty-free mobile phones having provision of talking software.
The Secretary, Ministry of Information and Technology, Government of Pakistan graced the occasion as Chief Guest while appreciating the efforts of the foundation and achievement of the disabled women’s assured that Ministry will actively support to promote the IT programs for disabled community with special reference to URDU talking software as priority based agenda. More over to activate the already aproaved council under Mr. Ajmal awan to take of the programs and requirements of the field.while Mr. Ajmal Awan presided over the session and Mr. Akber Gardezi from Comsats university Islamabad grace the occasion as a honored guest . The First Blind Civil Judge, Mr. Yousuf Saleem expressed his views both on IT issues and his IT-based activities in the Court successfully.
Madam Shabana Risalat district session judge narcotic Rawalpindi nominated by the Lahore high court graced the occasion and briefed all the legal provisions pertaining to women with special reference to Divorce, harassment and heritage. She while responding the question inspired by the competency, capabilities and courageous role of disabled women.
Friday the 3rd December, forth Business Session was started with the recitation form holy Quran the title of the session was requirements and problems of the disabled women in the light of my experience and analization. Some 20 disabled delegates (women) participating from different parts of the country expressed their experienced based views. The session was presided over by the Dr. Farzana Suleman and Dr. Humera Iqbal jointly.
The fifth business session was devoted for medical problems and requirements of the disabled women presided over by Madam shakila yasmin convener of the convention while Dr.Sajida Naseem Associate professor of community Medicine Shifa college of Medicine Islamabad was the chief guest and main speaker Madam Dr. Muniza Sami team member coordinated and introduce to the participants of the team with brief expression about purpose of the session Dr. Sajida in her expressions briefed the situation and requirement and also answered the questions raised by the disabled women Dr. Sajida and whole teams highly appreciated the arrangement of the organizers role of the disabled women.
The final session followed by volunteer’s expressions to grace the volunteers day 5th December. The session was presided over by the Dr. Shagufta Iqbal From Quetta Prof. Azra begum, Dr. Humera Iqbal and prof. shahla Yousuf having long standing experience of working with the disabled community expressed their experienced based views and inform about the problems and difficulties faced by the either sides due to misunderstandings and emotional behaviors. Which makes the volunteers work difficult and un-pleasant.
As per courtesy offer of the Dr. Mukhtar and other fellow colleagues from the different universities including Kohsar University and Science foundation, to arrange the four different competition including poster , Quiz, Speech and IT skills and otherwise for cross disability which was followed by the expressions by the above said dignitaries from the different universities and distribution of the cash awards from Rs. 100000/- amongst the winners during the whole program it was also offered by the other chancellors to have the same type of programs be conducted in other universities to promote awareness and integrations amongst the high profile educational personalities and young generation marching towards higher education. The 56 shields were awarded to the disabled women having high profile performance and achievement during the lifetime comprising of most seniors and juniors The Secretary Parliamentary Affairs for Education Islamabad Madam Wajiha by gracing the program highly appreciated the achievement of the disabled women and efforts of the foundation, assured to work in the parliament for disabled community as a special reference.
Thanks to Almighty ALLAH all the supporters from government and private with special reference to the participants from different areas and of course Pakistan Railway. Wassalam
