ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: President Dr. Arif Alvi has said that 10 to 14 percent of Pakistan’s population is suffering from some form of disability.
In his remarks during a presentation on “the role of financial services for the facilitation of persons with disabilities” given by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Rural Support Program (NRSP) Dr. Rashid Bajwa at Aiwan-e-Sadr in Islamabad on Thursday, the president urged the need for the capacity building and career counselling of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), and matching their skills with jobs.
The president said that collective measures need to be taken by the government and the private sector for the financial and social inclusion of PWDs.
صدر مملکت ڈاکٹر عارف علوی کی زیرصدارت خصوصی افراد کی بہبود میں مالیاتی خدمات کے کردار کے حوالے سے اجلاس
صدر مملکت کا خصوصی افراد کی استعداد کار بڑھانے ، کیریئر کونسلنگ کی ضرورت پر زور
خصوصی افراد کو ان کے ہنر کے مطابق ملازمتوں کے ساتھ جوڑنا ہوگا، صدر مملکت pic.twitter.com/O0Sk5V9c2y
— The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) March 16, 2023
The meeting was attended by the CEO of NOWPDP Omair Ahmad, the Executive Director of NAVTTC, the Director Islamic Finance Department of the State Bank of Pakistan Ghulam Muhammad, the Additional Finance Secretary Aamer Mehmood Hussain, the Technical Advisor at WHODr. Maryam Mallick, and senior government officials.
President Arif Alvi said that Differently-Abled People (DAPs) in Pakistan face various physical and financial limitations and they need to be facilitated by providing them access to financial services and employment opportunities to make them financially independent. He added that society requires to play its role for the welfare and facilitation of DAPs.
Dr. Rashid Bajwa highlighted the steps taken by the National Rural Support Program (NRSP) for the empowerment of DAPs and women and the support being provided by the NRSP to farmers and small landholders in rural areas.
The CEO of NRSP said that the National Rural Support Program is the largest provider of micro-financial services in Pakistan, and is working in 72 districts for the welfare of underprivileged communities.
Furthermore, he highlighted the contributions made by the NRSP for the welfare and rehabilitation of persons with disabilities. He said that the NRSP is supporting PWDs by providing them financial services, artificial limbs, and rehabilitation services.
Dr. Rashid Bajwa apprised that NRSP has disbursed Rs 150.5 million to PWDs through loans besides providing micro health insurance coverage to 3,346 PWDs and artificial limbs to 14,039 PWDs.
The Executive Director NAVTTC Dr. Khalid Mehmood informed the meeting that his organization is going to offer free-of-cost training and skills for DAPs, besides providing them free lodging and pick-and-drop facilities.
The Director Islamic Finance at the State Bank of Pakistan Ghulam Muhammad informed that the internship programs for DAPs would soon be launched by the banks.
President Dr. Arif Alvi appreciated the contributions made by the NRSP for the welfare and empowerment of PWDs.
The president said that the NRSP is doing a tremendous job and other institutions should also follow its example.
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