LAHORE: NOWPDP (Network of Organisations Working for People with Disabilities) and HSY (Hassan Shehryar Yassin), Global Brand Ambassador of NOWPDP, hosted an inclusive Rickshaw March 2026 at the historic Lahore Fort to highlight the importance of inclusive mobility and economic empowerment for persons with disabilities (PWDs).
The occasion witnessed customised rickshaws travelled from the Picture Wall to the Royal Kitchen of the Lahore Fort, translating policy dialogue into visible action. Beyond providing accessible mobility, the retrofitted vehicles create tangible entrepreneurship and business opportunities for persons with disabilities, enabling them to navigate public spaces with greater confidence and independence.
A formal ceremony followed, attended by key ministers, development sector representatives, corporate partners and social advocates. Guests were introduced to NOWPDP’s mandate, milestones and measurable impact, followed by a powerful rendition of the national anthem performed by persons with disabilities.
Interactive engagement zones transformed the historic venue into an experiential platform for awareness and action. Inclusive art installations, disability simulation experiences including the Blind Walk, assistive technology showcases, and presentations by program beneficiaries gave attendees direct insight into both the challenges and the solutions shaping disability inclusion in Pakistan.
In his Keynote speech as Chief Guest, Dr Shakeel Ahmed Bhatti, Advisor to the Chief Minister of Punjab on Education, positioned inclusion within a governance framework: “Inclusion must move beyond dialogue into policy and practice. NOWPDP demonstrates how collaboration can remove systemic barriers and expand opportunity.”
He further emphasised that sustained impact will only be possible when public policy, employers and education systems move in alignment, ensuring inclusion is embedded into institutional processes rather than treated as a standalone initiative.
Addressing the audience, Omair Ahmad, CEO, NOWPDP, reinforced the long-term vision behind the initiative: “With over 17 years of advancing disability inclusion in Pakistan, NOWPDP continues to drive sustainable pathways that move persons with disabilities from the margins into the mainstream economy. At the core of this strategy is The Rickshaw Project (TRP), launched in 2012 to provide customized, retrofitted rickshaws that unlock independent mobility and income generation, evolving from a simple access intervention into a scalable livelihood model rooted in dignity and entrepreneurship.”
HSY emphasised the broader societal shift required: “When persons with disabilities lead their own journeys, society moves forward with them.”
The occasion concluded with award distribution and partner acknowledgments, recognisging the cross-sector collaboration that continues to power NOWPDP’s work.
The Rickshaw March 2026 not only marked progress achieved but signaled a clear commitment to scaling inclusive livelihoods and embedding accessibility into Pakistan’s long-term economic growth agenda.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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