PESHAWAR
Dozens of persons with disabilities on Monday staged a protest outside the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly building, demanding their rights and necessary legislation for their welfare. Holding placards and banners, the demonstrators called for the approval of the Disability Act 2021 with recommendations from their appointed committee to ensure institutional accountability.
The protesters demanded free artificial limbs through health cards, a monthly stipend for disabled individuals, and legislation for a 2 percent special seat allocation at Tehsil and provincial levels.
They also called for the allocation of two hospital beds in Tehsil and District Headquarters Hospitals, free medical tests, and the implementation of a 4pc job quota for disabled persons with immediate recruitment under the existing 2pc quota.
Additionally, they urged the KP government to establish skill centers with free courses and transport, provide assistive devices such as white canes, electric wheelchairs, and hearing aids to students, and ensure shelter for homeless and orphaned disabled individuals.
The protesters also demanded an increase in the special allowance for government employees with disabilities to Rs 10,000, an increased budget allocation, and the removal of home income tax deductions from the salaries of disabled provincial employees. They warned of an intensified protest movement if their demands were not met.
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Peshawar: Special persons staged a protest outside the KP Assembly building to demand rights. DLP Photo
