Bill passed by NA will address issues of persons with disabilities: WHO.

ISLAMABAD -- The World Health Organisation (WHO) believes that a bill recently passed by the National Assembly would address a number of issues of persons with disabilities.

'We hope that the bill would be passed by the Senate of Pakistan with same interest and will be implemented in letter and spirit,' said WHO's technical adviser Dr Maryam Mallick while talking to Dawn.

The 'ICT Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2020' has been passed by the National Assembly.

Dr Mallick said Minister for Human Rights Dr Shireen M. Mazari took personal interest in getting the bill passed from the house.

'Sindh and Balochistan have also passed similar bills so we hope that soon other provinces would also make legislation so that it would be implemented across the country,' she said.

Technical adviser hopes bill will also be passed by Senate, implemented in letter and spirit

According to the draft of the bill available with Dawn, the Constitution guarantees the fundamental rights of all citizens, including persons with disabilities, without discrimination. As party to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Pakistan is obliged to ensure and promote the full realisation of rights and freedoms for persons with disabilities by taking appropriate legislative, administrative and policy measures.

Keeping in view our national and international commitments, the ICT Rights of Persons with Disability Bill 2020 has been prepared through a consultative process for protection and promotion of rights of people living with disabilities (PLWD).

Pakistan ratified the UN convention in 2011. Earlier, there was only 'Disabled Persons (Employment and Rehabilitation) Ordinance 1981' which was being used to provide jobs to PLWD. The ordinance was promulgated by Gen Ziaul Haq as his own daughter was disabled.

In 2013, WHO started efforts for legislation in Pakistan. It held 23 consultations at the national and provincial level in which all stakeholders, including PLWD, were involved.

In 2015, a draft was prepared and...