ISLAMABAD: President Dr. Arif Alvi has emphasized the importance of capacity building and career counselling for people with disabilities (PWDs), as well as matching their skills with jobs.
He stated that 10-14% of Pakistan’s population suffers from some form of disability, and that the government and private sector must work together to ensure the financial and social inclusion of PWDs. The President made these remarks on today (16 March) at Aiwan-e-Sadr during a presentation on “the role of financial services in the facilitation of persons with disabilities” given by Dr Rashid Bajwa, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Rural Support Program (NRSP).
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 WHO, Dr Maryam Mallick, and senior government officials.
Career counseling and employment opportunities
According to the President, differently-abled people (DAPs) in Pakistan face a variety of physical and financial constraints, and they must be assisted by providing them with access to financial services and employment opportunities in order to become financially independent.
He also stated that society must play a role in the welfare and facilitation of DAPs. Dr Rashid Bajwa emphasized on the steps taken by the National Rural Support Program (NRSP) to empower DAPs and women, as well as the assistance provided by the NRSP to farmers and small landholders in rural areas. He stated that NRSP was Pakistan’s largest provider of micro-financial services, working in 72 districts to benefit underprivileged communities.
The CEO of NRSP also emphasized NRSP’s contributions to the welfare and rehabilitation of people with disabilities (PWDs). He stated that the NRSP assists people with disabilities by providing financial services, artificial limbs, and rehabilitation services. He stated that the NRSP had disbursed Rs150.5 million in loans to PWDs, in addition to providing micro health insurance coverage to 3,346 PWDs and artificial limbs to 14,039 PWDs.
- Khalid Mehmood, Executive Director of NAVTTC, informed the meeting that his organization would provide free training and skills to DAPs, as well as free lodging and pick-up and drop-off services. Ghulam Muhammad, Director Islamic Finance, State Bank of Pakistan, announced that the banks would soon launch internship programs for DAPs.
The President praised NRSP’s contributions to the welfare and empowerment of people with disabilities. He stated that NRSP was doing an excellent job and that other institutions should follow suit.
