ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday renewed Pakistan’s commitment to protecting the rights of visually impaired people, calling for greater access to education, information and public services to mark World Braille Day.
In a statement issued by his office, Sharif said the Braille writing system, developed by Louis Braille nearly two centuries ago, had transformed the lives of millions of people globally by enabling education, access to information and opportunities for dignified livelihoods.
“Braille literacy and accessible education are essential to ensuring that no citizen is left behind,” he said, urging state institutions, civil society, educational bodies, the private sector and the media to strengthen efforts to promote inclusion.
The United Nations General Assembly designated Jan. 4 as World Braille Day in 2018 to highlight the importance of Braille as a means of communication for people who are blind or visually impaired.
Estimates from the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness suggest that around 1.5 million people in Pakistan are blind, while around 26 million people overall live with visual impairment, highlighting the scale of the challenge in a country of over 240 million people.
Sharif cited examples of visually impaired Pakistanis contributing across sectors, including competitive civil service examinations, singling out Saima Saleem, a diplomat serving at Pakistan’s mission to the United Nations, as a symbol of resilience and national pride.
“These successes reflect determination, capability and the strength of accessible education supported by society,” he said.
Pakistan is a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and ratified the Marrakech Treaty in 2023, committing to make published works available in accessible formats for people who are blind or have print disabilities.
The prime minister said Pakistan remained committed to safeguarding the rights of persons with disabilities, ensuring equal opportunities and building a more inclusive society, calling on all stakeholders to expand Braille literacy and accessibility nationwide.
“Let us renew our collective resolve so that every individual, regardless of visual ability, can play a meaningful role in Pakistan’s progress,” he said.
