PESHAWAR
Every year, on March 1, the world observes International Wheelchair Day to spotlight the needs, rights, and challenges faced by wheelchair users across the globe.
This significant day was first launched in 2012 by Dr. Geoff Adams-Spink, a British engineer and disability rights activist who himself was a wheelchair user.
In Pakistan, although this occasion is formally acknowledged, its observance often falls short of fulfilling its core objectives. However, the Paraplegic Center Peshawar (PCP) stands out as a national institution that not only take tangible steps for the physical, psychological rehabilitation and welfare of persons with disabilities (PwDs) but also commemorate this day with a sense of renewed commitment each year.
This year, the PCP once again organized a special event that saw an overwhelming turnout of attendees from various walks of life, including graduates from different far-flung regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and other parts of the country, as well as international participants.
Among them, Abdul Elah from Saudi Arabia and Khalil Jan from Afghanistan were particularly prominent. At the Paraplegic Center Peshawar, individuals who complete their rehabilitation journey are honored with the title of “graduates,” symbolizing their resilience and transition towards self-sufficiency.
To further empower them, they are provided with customized wheelchairs and assistive devices free of cost, ensuring their full independence and mobility. The event was graced by Barrister Dr. Muhammad Ali Saif, Advisor to the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Information and Public Relations, as the chief guest, while the session was presided over by the CEO of the Paraplegic Center, Dr. Syed Muhammad Ilyas.
A particularly moving moment unfolded when Abdul Elah, the young Saudi graduate, extended a heartfelt welcome to the chief guest by greeting him with a loud salaam and presenting him with a bouquet. The audience resonated with applause, not only as a tribute to Abdul Elah’s affection for Barrister Saif but also as a reflection of the profound and time-honored friendship between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.
