President Mamnoon Hussain on Wednesday reiterated that possible steps at various levels were being taken for the welfare of people with special needs.
The president expressed these views while speaking to Dr Maryam Mallick, Technical Advisor on disabilities and rehabilitation WHO Pakistan, who called on him at the presidency. He said these are aimed at creating more space in the society so that they could fully utilise their potential towards the progress and prosperity of the country.
The president called upon all relevant government institutions and authorities, civil society, philanthropists, corporate sector and other stakeholders to make concerted and collective efforts to ensure active participation of the people with disabilities and bring them into the mainstream of society. He said Pakistan being a signatory of the UN Convention on rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) was fully alive to its obligation to take all possible legal, administrative, financial and other steps for the welfare of this important segment of society.
Dr Maryam Mallick apprised the president about the working and activities of WHO aimed at welfare and uplift of the people with disabilities. She also suggested certain measure and initiatives in this regard.
The president appreciated that World Health Organization (WHO) had been working in Pakistan ever since its creation in 1948 and has actively been involved in improving health facilities in Pakistan.