Karachi: The Pakistan Business and Disability Network (PBDN), a key platform advocating for disability inclusion in the workplace, successfully hosted the 1st Policy Dialogue on Disability Inclusion in Karachi.
The event brought together key stakeholders from government bodies, the private sector, international organizations, and organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs) to discuss policy reforms that ensure greater inclusion of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Pakistan’s national development agenda.
The dialogue focused on three critical policy areas: the SME Policy, the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Policy, and the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme (PMYP). The primary aim of the event was to discuss the policies and programs to develop policy recommendations that make national policies more responsive to the needs of persons with disabilities.
The event was chaired by Ghulam Mohiuddin Asim, Additional Secretary, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPD), Government of Sindh, and began with a welcome note by Syed Nazar Ali, Secretary General, Employers’ Federation of Pakistan (EFP), highlighted the initiative and achievements of PBDN to promote employability and employment of persons with disabilities, he emphasized the need of developing skills competences of persons with disabilities for their employment in the industries as an equally productive worker.
Majyd Aziz, a prominent industrialist and member of PBDN, while discussing the issues faced by persons with disability and the need for behavioural change stressed the need for measures to ensure the implementation of policies and programs to provide the benefit guaranteed to persons with disabilities in the program.
Technical presentations were delivered by representatives from key organizations, including GIZ, Sightsavers, TVET, PMYP, SMEDA, ILO, and OPDs, highlighting the current landscape of disability inclusion within these programs. The participants were then divided into three working groups to discuss the presentations and propose policy reforms that address the challenges faced by persons with disabilities in accessing education, training, and employment opportunities.
Ghulam Mohiuddin Asim, Additional Secretary, DEPD After hearing the presentations and recommendations at the 1st Policy Dialogue on Disability Inclusion, expressed strong support for the proposed reforms and reiterated the Government of Sindh’s commitment to working closely with all stakeholders to ensure that persons with disabilities are not left behind in Pakistan’s journey toward sustainable development.
He emphasized that while several policies and laws exist, the real challenge lies in their effective implementation, calling for collective action across public, private, and civil society sectors. Mr. Asim stressed the importance of collaboration to ensure these policies actively transform lives and create equal opportunities for persons with disabilities.
This Policy Dialogue marks an important milestone in PBDN’s mission to drive disability-inclusive policies across Pakistan. By fostering collaboration between the public and private sectors and advocating for meaningful change, PBDN aims to create a more accessible and inclusive society for all.