ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday reaffirmed his government’s commitment to providing equal opportunities for persons with visual impairments, marking World Braille Day.

In a message on the occasion, the prime minister highlighted the importance of Louis Braille’s system, which has opened doors to education, information, and professional opportunities for millions worldwide. He noted that the United Nations General Assembly recognized Jan. 4 as World Braille Day in 2018.

Sharif praised the achievements of visually impaired Pakistanis, citing Saima Saleem, a diplomat at Pakistan’s mission to the United Nations, as an example of overcoming challenges through excellence.

He emphasized that Pakistan, as a signatory to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and after ratifying the Marrakesh Treaty in 2023, is committed to making education, work, and information accessible to all visually impaired citizens.

The prime minister called on educational institutions, civil society, the private sector, and the media to promote Braille literacy and accessible facilities. He reiterated that the government is focused on ensuring no citizen is left behind and that everyone can contribute to the country’s development.

Across Pakistan, legal and policy frameworks support the blind. The ICT Rights of Persons with Disability Act 2020 and provincial laws in Punjab, Sindh, KP, Balochistan, and Islamabad formally recognize visually impaired individuals as “Special Persons.”

These laws provide job and education quotas, financial assistance, mobility support, and access to healthcare.

Programs such as the Punjab Himmat Card and Sindh’s disability allowances provide monthly stipends, medical aid, and education support. Specialized schools, including Islamabad’s Al-Maktoom National Special Education Center, offer free education, Braille materials, and modern assistive technologies.

The State Bank of Pakistan ensures financial inclusion by requiring banks to provide accessible services and allowing blind individuals to hold individual accounts. National and provincial initiatives also include special CNICs for travel and utility discounts, barrier-free public health services, and legal protection through special disability courts.

PM Sharif said these measures reflect the government’s determination to empower the visually impaired, ensuring equal opportunities in every sector of society.

President Zardari's message

Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari, in a post on X on Sunday to mark World Braille Day, reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to the rights, dignity, and full inclusion of persons with visual impairments, in line with the UNCRPD and the SDGs, and paid tribute to all those advancing Braille education and accessibility.

World Braille Day

PM Sharif stresses equal opportunities for visually impaired