Disabled Citizens: A Case Study of Pakistan

Abstract

Destiny is divine governed. Nobody knows what happens tomorrow. We live in emerging era of fast tract life focusing to achieve targets in the shortest possible time. In this mechanized world we forget those who due to some reason or the other can not fulfill their dreams due to Disability. Disabled people are rarely accepted as contributing members of society, and are often seen as a burden to families. Unfortunately data is lacking on many aspects of Disability in the developing world. According to estimates of the United Nations, about 10% of the world’s population is disabled. In developing countries, including Pakistan, disabled people are living a miserable life. It has been estimated that among the 10 million handicapped people in Pakistan, the distribution between urban and rural areas is in the ratio 3:1[1] which may not be true because the statistics on rural areas is not available. Much has been written and said about the disabled people and the privileges they are supposed to get. But it is all in the mind and in newspapers. We do find that some individuals or companies do feel responsibility towards disabled people but we lack regulations to sanction attitudes that scorn and discriminate disabled persons [2]. To understand the phenomenon through this study the researcher wants to explore the status of disabled citizens in Pakistan with focus on Karachi, study the existing system of benefits & rights and to propose initiatives for the improvements if any for the Disabled people.