Disability rights campaigners urge Pakistan govt ahead of third global disability summit in Berlin

ISLAMABAD: The Global Disability Summit, which will take place in Berlin between 2-3 April, comes as a UN report reveals insufficient progress on disability inclusion.

The report highlights stalled or reversed progress in nearly 14% of SDG targets, including access to financial resources, health care, water, information and communication technologies, and building resilience for people with disabilities during emergencies.

Munazza Gillani, Director Sightsavers Pakistan and Middle East said, “Here in Pakistan these challenges are all too real. Our government must use the Global Disability Summit to make specific, funded commitments that will make a real difference in the lives of people with disabilities – from education and health care to employment and protection from violence. The summit presents a unique opportunity for Pakistan to demonstrate leadership in disability inclusion and we cannot afford to leave anyone behind.”

In Pakistan, there is around 16% population with some disability who lack access to basic human rights.

As the Government of Pakistan prepares to participate in the upcoming Global Disability Summit, it has a unique opportunity to reaffirm its commitments to inclusive development and empowerment of people with disabilities.

The Government of Pakistan can use this opportunity to announce new initiatives, commitments, and partnerships that promote accessible healthcare, inclusive education, and decent employment for people with disabilities.

Asim Zafar, Secretary to the National Coordinator Community Based Inclusive Development Network said, “Around 1.3 billion people worldwide – that’s nearly one in five of us – have a disability. Yet despite repeated promises of inclusion, people with disabilities face deepening inequalities. Words are not enough to address these. We need urgent action on disability rights. Without a clear plan to put recent commitments into action, we will fail to reach our collective goal of a safe, inclusive, and sustainable world.”

Ahead of the summit, Sightsavers’ Equal World campaign is calling for the government of Pakistan to consider the voices of people with disabilities, especially young people.

Notable civil society organizations, and national and international organizations from Pakistan are attending the Global Disability Summit, underscoring the need for unity and coherence among government and other parties.