President for enhanced efforts to serve special persons

President Asif Ali Zardari called upon government institutions, civil society, philanthropists, and international community to make co-ordinated and concerted efforts to meet needs of special persons with disabilities.
In a message on the occasion of international day of disabled persons falling on December 3, he said there is a need to remove the attitudinal, physical and social barriers in meeting the Millennium Development Goals with the active participation of special persons with disabilities.
He said the Disabled Persons Day is an occasion to reflect on the problems of special people with disabilities and ponder how to achieve the same standard as exists in other civilised nations in addressing the problems and issues faced by special people. The observance of international day aims at promoting an understanding of disability issues and mobilise support for the dignity, rights and wellbeing of persons with disabilities, he added.
The president observed that the theme of this year "Together for a better world for all: including persons with disabilities in development" calls for harnessing the potential of special people in achieving national development goals. He said, "It reminds us that the society should be structured in a way that it not only meets the needs of special people but also engages them in the task of national development. We need to revitalise efforts for providing equal opportunities to all including persons with disabilities both in the pubic and private sector."
He said, "Special people have taught us, who suffer from no mental or physical disability, that we will never be able to count the blessings of Allah for bestowing on us a life free of any disability to pursue our goals and our dreams. And we must remember that disability can strike anyone at anytime," he added.
The president highlighted that after the 18th constitutional amendment the provincial governments have been entrusted to take steps for providing special people including the persons with disabilities a conducive and congenial environment and make their lives comfortable and the nation prosperous, healthy and tolerant. "I am confident that provinces would dispense with their obligations in a responsible manner. They need to take urgent steps to attend to the special needs of special people," he added. He said, "I also wish to assure the special people that the government is committed to taking special measures to meet their special needs."-PR