ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Thursday directed the federal and the provincial governments to submit details of employment quota for the persons with disabilities.
A three-member bench of the apex court headed by Justice Azmat Saeed and comprising Justice Ijazul Ahsan and Justice Munib Akhtar heard the case regarding rights of disabled persons in Pakistan and the legislation by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab assemblies for their employment and rehabilitation.
During the course of proceedings, Justice Saeed remarked that the court had ordered all four provincial governments to recruit handicapped citizens on quota system. He asked about the development in the case.
Punjab’s additional advocate general said that he had submitted an interim report and pleaded the court to grant time for submission of a concise report.
He said that the provincial government has appointed 4,712 special persons in Punjab. He said that private institutions had also donated Rs50 million in funds reserved for disabled persons.
Justice Ul Ahsan asked about the utilisation of funds and sought details of funds on next date of hearing.
Justice Saeed remarked that the matter could be sent to the anti-corruption department if funds were not used properly.
The additional advocate general of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa said that the provincial government had appointed 427 persons on disabled quota.
Justice Ahsan asked about the status of the national council for the rehabilitation of disabled persons.
The additional attorney general said that the meeting for the national council for the rehabilitation of disabled persons would be held today (Thursday).
Justice Azmat Saeed remarked that the case of disabled persons has been pending for the last five years but steps for the welfare of handicapped persons were taken during the last six months.
He remarked that all government institutions would have to show respect to disabled persons.
The court then adjourned the case for six weeks.