GRACE - WDD Walk Skardu

Grace Association Pakistan in collaborations with Prime Minister Primary Healthcare Initiative Skardu organized an Awareness Walk regarding the World Disability Day on December 3, 2009 in a unique way by providing opportunity for people with disabilities to voice up for their rights in Gilgit Baltista.
An awareness raising walk has been organized at 11:30 AM from Grace Public School to Radio Pakistan Chowk Skardu to sensitize the people about the rights of people with disabilities and to express solidarity with them.
More than 1200 people belonging to different life groups participated in the Walk and expressed their solidarity with people with disabilities. The Deputy Commissioner Skardu, District Health officer, Journalist, Teachers, Students and Representatives of Civil Society Organizations and CBOs warmly participated in the walk with people with disabilities.

Mr. Ghulam Ali (person with physical disability) presented an appeal and resolutions on behalf on persons with disabilities. He appealed for: Inclusive Education, Rights of 2% quota given approved by the Government of Pakistan in employment, Accessible Public Transport and Ratification of the UN Conventions on Rights of People with Disabilities.
Addressing to the Rally Mr. Muhammad Ali Yugvi Deputy Commissioner Skardu highly appreciated the endeavors of GRACE and PPHI Skardu and the World Disability Day celebration at District level. He announced an employment opportunity in his department for a deserving person with disability. He further stated that he will provide warm cloths for persons with disabilities in Skardu as per the list of PWDs identified and given by Grace Association Pakistan. He also said that District Government has allotted land for construction of Rehabilitation Centre in Skardu and fund is being secured by the Federal Government.
Speaking at the occasion the Chief Executive Officer Grace association Pakistan Mr Wazir Shamshad Hussain highlighted the issues of people with disabilities in the region and appealed the Government and Deputy Commissioner Skardu to support the cause and help the PWDs for special and inclusive education, rehabilitation, employment and healthcare. Mr. Shamshad also shared the endeavors being made by Grace Association Pakistan for rehabilitation and development of people with disabilities in the country. He announced that Grace Association Pakistan will refer and facilitate interested and needy persons with disabilities to visit HDF-Orthotics Prosthetics Centre Physical Rehabilitation & Training Centre Department of Physiotherapy Holy Family Hospital Rawalpindi as HDF Project Director Dr. Irtaza Kazmi has offered their special services for patients from Gilgit Baltistan.
Mr. Basharat Hussain Executive Monitoring and Evaluation addressing the public shared the efforts of PPHI staff to provide free healthcare to the people especially for the PWDs. He also highlighted responsibilities of people and organizations having concerns with people with disabilities. “PPHI is working to prevent such accident by providing Polio Eradication Services, Mother and Child Healthcare, and IDD Program”, he added.