Rights of orphans and special people: Parliamentary body to be set up for making laws: NA speaker

Speaker National Assembly Asad Qaiser has said that a parliamentary committee would be constituted for preparing draft legislation for welfare, financial support, creating opportunities and protecting the rights of orphans and the disabled in society.

"Parliamentary committee would take all stakeholders and related non-governmental organizations into confidence for reviewing previous laws and preparation of new laws. It is not the responsibility of the government only and is a collective responsibility of the whole society to step forward to become helping hands for orphans and special people for their rights of education, health, vocational training and jobs in every filed of life to become helpful citizens of the country," the speaker expressed these views while addressing a ceremony on International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2019 held at Parliament House on Tuesday.

The ceremony was attended by a large number of parliamentarians and representatives of social organizations, disabled persons, civil society and media houses.

He said that specially disabled people possess immense potential and can play a vital role in the progress and development of the country if they are provided enabling environment and opportunities. He stressed the need for establishment of vocational training centers for making these special people financially self-sustaining.

The speaker said that notification of parliamentary committee would be issued within the next week. He said that a parliamentary committee would be constituted comprising members from the treasury and the opposition.

He said that a dedicated sub-group within the SDG task force of the National Assembly is also being formed for a comprehensive legislative review of all laws in Pakistan pertaining to person with disabilities. He said that this subgroup would review the progress of all relevant laws and asses the need for new legislation for further empowerment of person with disabilities. This would be replicated at provincial level, with the respective provincial SDG task forces. He said that this sub-group would assist the parliamentary committee.

"We work above our position for the aim and I would voluntarily work with the organizations which are playing their role the welfare of the disabled persons. We should respect and treat special people with kindness and our little attention can bring a lot of happiness in their lives," the speaker said.

He said that Parliament would be made fully accessible for the persons with disabilities by the end of 2020. He said that official website of the National Assembly would also be made accessible for visually impaired citizens. He said that standing committees have been asked to review the 2 percent quota reserved for jobs for the special persons in public sector.