By Asghar Ali Mubarak
ISLAMABAD: President Dr Arif Alvi on Tuesday urged upon the welfare organizations, civil society and philanthropists to step forward in caring for financially weaker segments of society during the difficult times of pandemic.
During his visit to a shelter home set up by the government at Tarlai in the outskirts of the capital, the president said helping poor and deserving people on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha was a religious and national obligation. The president reviewed the arrangements made for the homeless and needy at the shelter home and interacted with the people.
He instructed Managing Director Bait ul Maal Aun Abbas Bappi on the occasion to take special care of elderly. He lauded the contribution of Saylani Welfare Trust for providing quality food to the helpless and laborers at shelter home. He also expressed satisfaction over the implementation of standard operating procedures (SOPs) at the shelter home to contain the spread of coronavirus. The president was given a briefing by PM’s Focal person for Shelter Homes Naseem ur Rehman about the measures taken to provide relief to the workers and out-of-town laborers.
It was highlighted that the number of people at the shelter home had increased after the opening of construction sector by the government. Later, the president also visited a nearby market of sacrificial animals set up ahead of Eid ul Azha where he reviewed the implementation of SOPs and safety measures to control coronavirus.
Earlier, President Dr Arif Alvi Monday stressed on the collection of accurate statistics of disabled persons for their functional and financial emancipation. “We need to collect accurate statistics as to their numbers and degree of disability, to ensure their full, functional and financial emancipation in society,” he wrote in a tweet.The president hailed the July 14, decision of Supreme Court where the bench directed the federal and provincial governments to extend every facility to the people with disabilities in jobs, transport and housing as well as at public places.
“Excellent judgment by Supreme Court to ensure rights of differently-abled people,” he said. A three-member bench of the apex court, headed by Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed and comprised Justice Ijaz ul Ahsan and Justice Mazhar Alam Khan Miankhel, heard the case regarding rights of disabled people in the country. The verdict also asked the federal and provincial governments to advertise vacant posts falling in the employment quota of the people with disabilities and ensure appointment of successful candidates.
