ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is prioritizing the participation in leadership roles of people with disabilities, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said as he joined the international community in commemorating the International Day Of Persons With Disabilities today, Tuesday.
The 2024 theme for the annual day is ‘Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future,’ connoting the basic requirements of participation, representation and inclusion and calls for persons with disabilities to actively shape the conditions of their lives.
People with disabilities can play important roles in leadership, and their unique perspectives can lead to better services for people with disabilities, rights bodies say. They can also help ensure that organizations are accountable for actions that affect people with disabilities.
“This year’s theme, ‘Amplifying the Leadership of Persons with Disabilities for an Inclusive and Sustainable Future,’ highlights a vital truth: the journey toward a more inclusive world must be led by those who understand its challenges firsthand,” Sharif said in a statement.
“We are prioritizing their participation in leadership roles, ensuring that their perspectives guide our national development strategies, and building a society that values their contributions as leaders, innovators, and changemakers.”
An estimated 1.3 billion people – about 16 percent of the global population – currently experience significant disability. As many as 27 million people in Pakistan may be living with disabilities, both intellectual and physical, according to Human Rights Watch.
Sharif said initiatives such as enhancing access to assistive technologies, improving inclusive infrastructure, and ensuring the implementation of disability-friendly laws were central to Pakistan’s vision.
“We are taking meaningful steps to ensure that persons with disabilities are provided with equal opportunities in education, employment, health care, and public life. Our government is working diligently to implement comprehensive policies that address accessibility, empower individuals with disabilities, and break down societal barriers that hinder their full participation.”
Sharif also highlighted the need to acknowledge the invaluable contributions of caregivers, advocates, and organizations working to support persons with disabilities.
“I urge our institutions, businesses, and civil society to play their role in breaking down barriers and fostering environments where persons with disabilities can contribute as leaders,” the PM added.
“We must also make conscious efforts to challenge behaviors and attitudes that perpetuate stigma and discrimination, replacing them with understanding and respect.”
Pakistani PM says prioritizing participation in leadership roles for people with disabilities
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Pakistani PM says prioritizing participation in leadership roles for people with disabilities
- 2024 theme for International Day Of Persons With Disabilities is ‘Amplifying leadership of persons with disabilities’
- As many as 27 million people in Pakistan may be living with disabilities, both intellectual and physical, HRW says
Pakistan says public-private collaboration key to economic stabilization
- Country’s commerce minister cites regular engagement between the government and business leaders
- He holds meeting with the American Business Council, highlights improvement in the national economy
ISLAMABAD: The government is intensifying coordination with the private sector to support economic recovery and policy reform, Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan said on Thursday, highlighting a public-private approach as the economy shows signs of stabilization.
Pakistan is seeking to attract foreign investment and boost exports as macroeconomic indicators improve following tighter fiscal discipline under an International Monetary Fund program, while engaging business groups to support growth, investment and the implementation of reforms.
“Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his entire team remain in constant contact with the private sector,” Khan said, according to a statement circulated by the commerce ministry. “All joint working groups formed by the government are being headed by representatives from the private sector, reflecting a collaborative approach to economic policy.”
The minister was speaking to the media after a meeting with the American Business Council (ABC) in Karachi, where he said Pakistan’s economy had substantially improved in recent years following difficult policy adjustments under the IMF loan.
He cited a sharp decline in inflation, lower interest rates and higher foreign exchange reserves as signs of recovery, adding that the economy was in a stronger position than two to three years ago.
ABC President Akram Wali Muhammad described the meeting as productive and said business leaders were increasingly confident about Pakistan’s economic direction, noting that fears of a default had receded.
