South Asia Sub-Regional Report

Pakistan

Islamic Republic of Pakistan founded on 14 August 1947, federation with four provinces. Situated in South Asia with India, Iran, Afghanistan and China as bordering neighbors. On regional level Pakistan has a strategic value, in east shares with South Asia sub-region, in north with China, in west with central Asia and Afghanistan, in south with Arab world and Iran.

After October 10, 2002 elections: Multi-party federal democracy with two legislative houses headed by elected prime minister. Capital of country is Islamabad, official languages are Urdu and English. Population of country is about 153 million, with density 152 persons per sq km. Urban-rural ratio is respectively 31.5 per cent in urban areas and 68.5 per cent is in rural areas. People with different Religions are; Muslim (95 per cent), Christian (2 per cent), Hindu (1.8 per cent) and others.

Socio and Economical Conditions:

Country’s GNP is $56 billion and Per Capita Income is $440. Mostly population depends on Agriculture. Main Industries are textiles, food processing, cement, chemicals and agricultural based industry. Life expectancy rate is 58 years for males and 59 years for females, hospital beds are available 1 per 1,702 persons. Literacy rate is 46 per cent in which 26 percent in rural areas and 15 percent in female.

 

Prevalence of disability in Pakistan:

 

Major

•Physically Challenged

•Audibly Challenged

•Mentally Challenged

 

Disability Population Analysis (National Basis)

After the observance of International year of the disabled persons in 1981, the subject of Special Education was transferred in 1982 from the Ministry of Education to Social Welfare Wing of the then Ministry of Health and Social Welfare at Federal level.

In order to spearhead pioneering work in the challenging area of Special Education and rehabilitation of disabled persons, it was considered necessary to create a new organization to take up this task. Accordingly, the Directorate General of Special Education was created under the then Ministry of Social Welfare and Special Education.

Vision

Alleviate the conditions of special children, enabling them to better participate in the community.

 

Goals

Re-vamp the functioning and programs of Special Education Centers at the Federal, Provincial and District levels.

 

Directorate General of Special Education, Hanna Road, Opposite Nori Hospital, G-8/4, Islamabad

Functions:

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  To formulate a coordinated national policy for handicapped persons.
  
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  To establish special education centers all over the country
  
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  To provide primary education to all types of disabled children
  
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  To train manpower pertaining to special education
  
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  To provide vocational training to disabled persons.
  
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  To provide medical and Para medical support to disabled persons
  
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  To create and provide job opportunities for disabled persons.
  
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  To motivate and assist local communities and NGOs to work for welfare and rehabilitation of the disabled persons.
  
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  Co-ordination with UNICEF, UNESCO, ILO, UNDP etc.
  

G-8, Islamabad, Phone no. 2255596-97

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  Medical Diagnostic/assessment services for disabled.
  
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  Surgical rehabilitation of disabled with capacity of 60 indoor patients.
  
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  Speech training courses.
  
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  Physiotherapy services.
  

(Opposite NORI Hospital, Al-Farabi Centre Building, G-8/4, Islamabad). Phone: 9260181

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  Vocational training & Rehabilitation of disabled adults on various common trade enterprises for socio-economic development of disabled.
  
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  Personsare enrolled between age group 12-25 years of both sexes.
  

G-7/2, (Building of Al-Maktoom Centre for VHC, (Islamabad) Phone No. 9201566.

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  Training and development of professional manpower engaged in Special Education field (public/private) through organization of short term courses (1-3) weeks.
  

G-7/2, (Building of Al-Maktoom Centre for VHC, Islamabad) Phone: 9222734

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  Provision of library and resource dissemination services in Special Education field National / International coordination for collection and distribution of books etc.
  

G-7/2, (Building of Al-Maktoom Centre for VHC, Islamabad) Phone: 9216566

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  Organization of training courses on mobilization/orientation of blind persons.
  

(Building of Al-Maktoom Centre for VHC, Islamabad) Phone: 9215696

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  Printing / publication of educational materials into Braille printing for education/training of visually handicapped persons.
  

(Hostel Building of Al-Farabi Centre for PHC, G-8/4, Islamabad

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  Vocational Training/Rehabilitation of Disabled Persons on non-institutional basis with community participation
  

Opposite NORI Hospital, G-8/4, Islamabad Phone: 9261892

To establish institutions for care, education and rehabilitation of the disabled persons to participate and undertake specialized program of training and instruction for the disabled persons.

 

Special Education Centers (Disability Wise):

 

Biwako Millennium Framework Perspective:

Ministry of Women Development, Social Welfare and Special Education succeeded in 2002 with the coordination of National Trust for Disabled and Directorate General of Special Education to develop a National Policy for the persons with disabilities. This was the first time when PWDs from self-help organizations were included in development of any policy at Governmental level.

The first National Policy for Persons with Disabilities in Pakistan is developed in the perspective of priority areas stated in BMF.

(a) Self-help organizations of persons with Disabilities and related family and parent associations

(c) Early detection, early intervention and education

(d) Training and employment, including self-employment

(e) Access to built environments and public transport

(f) Access to information and communications, including information, communications and assistive technologies

(g) Poverty alleviation through capacity building, social security and sustainable livelihood programs.

In order to support the implementation of the Biwako Millennium Framework at the national level through public awareness activities, appropriate policies, other measures and the allocation of resources in keeping with national capacities, and through international cooperation and partnership, including the transfer of resources and technologies, as appropriate training programs are being carried out.

 Activities of Non-Governmental Organizations and Disability Movements:

Participation from the Non-Governmental sector was started late but the contribution in the field is remarkable. A number of NGOs are working for the rehabilitation of persons with disabilities at the city levels. Present Government has encouraged the private corporations and Non-profit organizations to take initiatives for the better life of Persons with disabilities.

Movements initiated by PWDs for Barrier free environment are not very active yet but the cause has gained momentum in preceding few years. Leadership Concept of PWDs has been settled due to training in developed countries like Japan and America. DPI Pakistan organized National Training Seminar with collaboration of JICA Pakistan last year. In year 2005, with collaboration of APCD, Government and JICA, DPI Pakistan is organizing Capacity Building of Self Help Organizations of Disabled. More then 80 delegates from 25 five countries are expected to participate in this event.

Accept few most of the not for profit organizations are depending up on local fund raising and charities, before getting foreign assistance appropriate training and orientation is pre-requisite. Pakistan has a National level cross disability organization name Disabled Peoples’ International Pakistan. This not remained true representative of all PWDs in the country. Now in these days a weaker National organization is working but developing day by day with support of DPI AP. Some organizations are doing well and developing rapidly like PAB, PDF. PAD, STEP, Milestone, ARCP, FTTB, DWA, ASHA, SAHARA, DEWA, ABSA, APHA, PARD and many more are working constantly. Some are silent features of Disability movement in Pakistan: