News Desk
PR Lahore, March 30, 2026:
A policy dialogue hosted by the Centre for Peace and Development Initiatives (CPDI) brought together lawmakers, legal experts, and disability rights advocates to examine challenges in implementing disability laws in Pakistan and to propose measures for improving inclusion.
Titled “Digital and Social Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities: Disability Legal Regime, Issues and Challenges,” the event focused on the gap between existing legal frameworks and their practical enforcement, particularly in ensuring access to services, rights, and opportunities for persons with disabilities.
Participants noted that while Pakistan has enacted legislation at both federal and provincial levels—including the Punjab Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2022—implementation challenges continue to hinder meaningful progress. The law recognises persons with disabilities as rights-holders entitled to equality, accessibility, and full participation in society, but speakers said these protections often remain unrealised.
The discussion highlighted structural barriers, including disparities in the issuance of disability-insignia Computerised National Identity Cards (CNICs) by the National Database and Registration Authority. Participants pointed out that fewer women possess such identification, reflecting obstacles in certification processes, mobility, outreach, and prevailing social norms. These barriers, they noted, limit access to employment quotas, social protection programmes, and digital public services.
Uzma Kardar, Chairperson of the Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education Committee and chief guest at the event, acknowledged the concerns raised and emphasised the need for consistent institutional commitment to enforce disability laws. She described implementation as a constitutional responsibility and stressed the importance of translating legal frameworks into practical outcomes.
Mukhtar Ahmad Ali, Executive Director of CPDI, underscored the need for stronger implementation and oversight mechanisms, noting that legal recognition must be supported by operational systems and institutional accountability.
Representatives from public institutions also highlighted inclusion challenges. Election Commission of Pakistan official Aoun Naqvi pointed to the importance of removing barriers in governance structures to ensure participation of persons with disabilities in democratic processes.
Meanwhile, Social Welfare Department representative Ali Janju stressed the role of accessible digital platforms in public service delivery and noted the heightened vulnerability of persons with disabilities—especially women—during disasters.
Disability rights expert Omer Pervaiz observed that despite the passage of the 2022 law, the absence of notified rules continues to limit its implementation.
Former Federal Information Commissioner Zahid Abdullah also raised concerns about the growing use of artificial intelligence in public systems, cautioning that it may prioritise procedural efficiency over human-centred engagement if not carefully managed.
The dialogue concluded with calls for the development of implementation rules, improved monitoring mechanisms, greater access to civil documentation, and more inclusive digital systems. Participants also stressed the need to address broader societal barriers to ensure equal participation of persons with disabilities in all aspects of life.
The CPDI, organisers of the event, is a non-profit organisation working on issues related to peace, development, and human rights, including public health, education, and environmental sustainability.