ISLAMABAD – A Senate panel has given the green light to a key amendment bill aimed at improving the lives of persons with disabilities across Islamabad.
The ICT Rights of Persons with Disability (Amendment) Bill 2024, moved by Senator Dr Zarqa Suharwardy Taimur, introduces stronger measures to support education, access to services, and legal protections for differently-abled citizens.
Under the proposed amendments:
- All schools will be audited every five years to ensure they are inclusive.
- Students with disabilities will receive assistive devices, free textbooks, and scholarships.
- The bill now clearly defines “mild” and “moderate” disabilities in line with global standards.
The Ministry of Human Rights initially felt existing laws were sufficient, but after reviewing the updated draft, it agreed to support the bill. The Senate Committee on Human Rights, led by Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri, appreciated the improvements and called it a much-needed step.
The committee also reviewed related matters such as faster resolution of cybercrime cases and better child protection measures.
Experts say the amendment reflects Pakistan’s growing commitment to international disability rights and could lead to stronger enforcement and better access to services nationwide.
The bill now moves forward for final approval in the Senate and National Assembly.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.
