Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on 27-June-2025 announced Rs 400 million in financial assistance for persons with disabilities (PWDs).
Addressing the cheque distribution event organised by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPD) at the CM’s office, Shah emphasised the importance of sustainable partnerships, access to assistive technologies, inclusive education and equal employment opportunities as central priorities of the provincial government for the rehabilitation of PWDs.
Provincial ministers Sharjeel Memon, Nasir Hussain Shah, Saeed Ghani, Riaz Shah Sheerazi, Zia Lanjar, Haji Ali Hassan Zardari, Shahid Thahim and Muhammad Ali Malkani, Senator Waqar Mehdi, special assistants to the CM Syed Qasim Naveed and Sarfaraz Rajar, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, DEPD Secretary Taha Farooqui, other provincial secretaries, and representatives of partner organisations working on disability rights attended the event.
The CM distributed cheques to 56 partner organizations as part of the Rs400 million financial assistance package to improve the lives of the PWDs with the funds already transferred to the recipients’ accounts.
“Assistive technologies like wheelchairs, prosthetic limbs and communication tools are not just devices – they represent independence, dignity and opportunity,” said the CM. “We are building a society where no one is left behind,” he added.
Special children performed moving tableaux, including one paying tribute to the Pakistan Armed Forces, on the occasion. Artworks created by children with disabilities featuring portraits of Benazir Bhutto and the CM were displayed on the stage and subsequently gifted to the CM.
Murad announced various initiatives and developments including a budget expansion for the PWDS. “The DEPD’s budget for the next fiscal year has been increased to Rs800 million,” he announced.
He added that 20 new centres for the PWDs had been established in partnership with non-government organisations. The CM stated that the capacity of 15 existing centres had been enhanced. He further mentioned that 12 autism centres would be operational by the end of the year and the Sindh government planned to establish at least one such centre in every district.
Regarding the CRTS for autistic children, the CM said a CRTS centre in Larkana would be inaugurated this year. Twenty five children had already been registered at the Shaheed Benazirabad centre, he added.
A CRTS centre would be established in Mirpurkhas as per the directive of President Asif Zardari, he said. Speaking about inclusive education, the CM said a separate directorate had been created to ensure the enrolment of children with disabilities in mainstream schools.
A specialised curriculum had also been developed for the purpose, he explained. He also directed that all government buildings must have wheelchair ramps. Murad said a lot more remained to be done for the PWDs. He credited the partner organisations for filling crucial gaps and emphasised that their continued cooperation was vital for achieving a lasting change. “Inclusion, accessibility, and dignity are not privileges – they are rights. With our partners, we aim to build a better, more compassionate society,” the CM concluded.
Published in News Daily on 28 June 2025.
