Regional Workshop on Monitoring the Implementation of the Biwako Millennium Framework for Action towards an Inclusive, Barrier-free and Rights-based Society for Persons with Disabilities in Asia and the Pacific (BMF)
Bangkok, Thailand, 13-15 October 2004

COUNTRY PAPER : PAKISTAN

Regional Workshop
Monitoring the Implementation of the Biwako Millennium Framework for Action towards an Inclusive, Barrier-free and Right-based Society for Persons with Disabilities in Asia and the Pacific
13-15 October 2004, Bangkok, Thailand

1. Review of achievements and shortcomings in the implementation of the BMF at the inception of the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons (2003-2012) in your country:

A.   ACHIEVEMENTS

1. i. National/International Coordination:-  At Government level, the Directorate General of Special Education (dealing with all matters concerning disabilities) being an executing agency of Ministry of Women Development, Social Welfare & Special Education is responsible for coordination with all relevant national and international organizations concerning care, education, training and rehabilitation of persons with disabilities. It communicates all policy decisions to all Government and Non-government organizations for implementation.
2. Information:- The Government and Non-Government organizations are engaged in working for providing information through print and electronic media. In this regard, Radio and T.V. are playing active role.
3. Awareness Programmes:- Public awareness campaigns are launched on special occasions like National Days, Universal Children Day, White Cane Safety Day etc.
4. Accessibility and Communication:- The Agencies/Departments responsible for regulating the construction of buildings have been providing barrier-free environment in new buildings
5. Education:- Following centers have been established by the Government and NGO:-
   1. Federal Government = 44 Centres
   2. Provincial Governments = 102 Centres (Punjab-52, Sindh-24, NWFP-22, Baluchistan-4)
   3. NGOs = 114 Centres
   4. Special Education Sequence at Universities of Punjab, Karachi and Allama Iqbal Open University
      The Federal Government, Provincial Governments and some of the NGOs have established these Centres in purpose built buildings. At some places hostel facilities have also been provided.
6. Training and Employment:   The Federal Government has established five Vocational Training Centres. Provincial Governments and NGOs are also working in this area but this important area is weak.
7. Prevention of causes of disabilities: An aggressive campaign of immunization has been launched during the last decade. Due to immunization programme, the incidence of disability has been sufficiently reduced.
8. Rehabilitation services:   Some modest efforts have been made for socio-economic rehabilitation. In this regard, establishment of 05 Vocational Training Centres, 04 Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Projects, National Council for the Rehabilitation of Disabled Persons, Provincial Councils or the Rehabilitation of Disabled Persons and National Institute for the Handicapped, Islamabad are some of the main initiatives.
9. Sports/Recreational programmes: In every Centre for the Special Children, sports programmes have been introduced. Sports programmes are organized at National level. Recently, Cricket Team of the Blind, became the World Champion. The Disabled Persons won medals in the sports events held in India and Korea.
10. Parks for the Disabled: The Government has developed a Park for the Persons with Disabilities in Islamabad, which is a unique project in the region.
11. Disabled Friendly Cities:   Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar have been declared as Disabled Friendly Cities and arrangements are being made for  new buildings as barrier free buildings.
12. Inclusive Education:  The Directorate General of Special Education in collaboration of Ministry Education has started project on Inclusive Education with the assistance of Sight Saver International (UK) and Braillow-Norway.
13. Technical and financial assistance to NGOs: The Directorate General of Special Education is providing financial assistance to about 30 NGOs and technical assistance to all NGOs in the country.
14. Help-line: A telephone help-line has been established to furnish information about obtaining required services for the people with disabilities and other information to community people. 

B. SHORTCOMINGS

1. Lack of coordination among Government departments and NGOs
2. Less emphasis on vocational training
3. Neglecting special persons from rural areas and urban slums.
4. Involvement of Un/International agencies remained weak.
5. Low priority to Inclusive Education
6. Education facilities to less number of special children
7. Little attention on providing barrier-free environment
8. Weak coordination among the NGOs of/for the special persons.

2. Your/views on the BMF implementation of your country for the rest of the Decade, especially with regard to:

A. Indicators for monitoring the implementation progress:

1. Surveys about the population of persons with disabilities.
2. Number of service centers concerning education, welfare, training and rehabilitation.
3. Number of teachers/professionals concerning education/training of the special persons.
4. Provision of services concerning vocational training/employment/ rehabilitation/mobility/barrier-free environment.
5. Legislation concerning rights of the persons with disabilities.
6. Awareness of general public concerning attitude towards the special persons.
7. Provision of opportunities regarding higher education, superior jobs and facilities for competing the normal people.
8. Provision of environment for integration in the general society.

B. Institutional mechanisms for monitoring the implementation(e.g. National Focal Point on Disability, National Coordination Council on Disability, National Statistical Office)

1. There exist an excellent focal point; Directorate General of Special Education functioning under the auspices of Ministry of Women Development, Social Welfare & Special Education.
2. Concerning coordination, the Directorate General of Special Education has established an Advisory Board on Disabilities comprising representatives from elected people and leading NGOs. This is very recent initiative. However the National Council for the Rehabilitation of Disabled Persons is also playing an important role regarding coordination. This Council comprises representatives from Federal Ministries, Provincial Governments, NGOs and leading disabled persons.
3. Federal Statistic Bureau, a national level Government organization is a National Statistical Office, located in Islamabad. Under the auspices of this organization, national level data of special persons was colleted during the national census campaign during 1998.

C. Capacity building  and technical cooperation (e.g. disability  assessment, disability budgeting, project assessment from disability perspective)

For capacity building, following organizations have been constituted:-

1. Special Education Departments at Karachi University, Punjab University (Lahore) and Allama Iqbal Open University, Islamabad.
2. National Institute of Special Education, Islamabad.
3. Training Institute of Special Education Department, Government of the Punjab.

In the above mentioned departments, long-term and short-term training programmes are conducted on all aspects of disabilities including disability assessment, disability budgeting and project assessment from disability perspective.

D. A rights-based comprehensive national policy

The Government of Pakistan has formulated a “National Policy for Persons with Disabilities – 2002”. The policy has been prepared keeping in view right-based approach, salient features of which are as under:-

a. Early Intervention, Assessment and Medical Treatment

• Prevention
• Detection
• Intervention
• Counselling
• Genetic counselling
• Family counseling

b. Education & Training

• Education
• Training
• Integration and Mainstreaming

c. Vocational Training, Employment & Rehabilitation

• Vocational training
• Use of information technology
• Out-reach programme
• Employment
• Sheltered/support employment
• Self employment
• Incentive to Employers

d. Research and Development

e. Advocacy and Mass awareness

f. Sports and Recreation

g. Design of buildings, Parks and Public Places

h. Institutional Arrangement

• Role of Federal Government
• Role of Provincial Governments
• Role of District Governments
• Role of Private Sector (community & family involvement)

i. Funding

j. Monitoring

Return to top

Copyright (c) 2004 Vision Office.
Last updated 09/15/04. Contact: info @ visionoffice.com