Punjab University VC Calls for Stronger Inclusion to Empower Persons with Disabilities

International News Report
By Farzana Chaudhry — Lahore, Pakistan

LAHORE: Punjab University Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Muhammad Ali has emphasized that society must collectively work to ensure that persons with special abilities become empowered, productive, and equal members of the community. He expressed these views while addressing a seminar titled “Fostering Disability-Inclusive Society for Advancing Social Progress” held at the Punjab University Institute of Special Education in connection with the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

The seminar was attended by Syeda Salma Saeed Hashmi, Convener of the Parliamentary Caucus for Children with Special Abilities and Member of the Punjab Assembly; Punjab Secretary for Special Education Shoaib Iqbal Syed; Allah Wale Trust Chairman Shahid Lone; Director ISE Dr. Humaira Bano, civil servants, faculty members, and a large number of students.

PU VC Dr. Muhammad Ali said that understanding the needs of persons with disabilities requires empathy — “we must put ourselves in their place to truly understand their challenges.” He noted that parental confidence plays a crucial role in the success of children with special abilities and praised teachers in the special education sector for working with exceptional dedication, compassion, and empathy.

He appreciated the vital role played by PU’s Institute of Special Education and the Child Welfare Centre in supporting the education and development of children with special needs.

Speaking at the event, MPA Syeda Salma Saeed Hashmi said that under the vision of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, a parliamentary caucus has been formed to address challenges faced by persons with special abilities. She said the government is taking concrete steps to make them equal contributors to society and praised teachers whose efforts help such individuals become “the pride of Pakistan.”

Shoaib Iqbal Syed, Punjab Secretary for Special Education, stressed the need for collaborative dialogue to improve the lives of persons with disabilities. He acknowledged the challenges in the sector but said that meaningful institutional–government cooperation can bring substantial improvement. He added that the government has significantly increased funding for disability welfare initiatives.

Chairman Allah Wale Trust Shahid Lone informed the audience that the organization provides daily food assistance to 115,000 students in government schools, with plans to expand this to 200,000. He said scholarships and NGO partnerships are helping enhance facilities for special children, and stressed the need for focused research to ensure accurate data and effective policymaking.

Director ISE Dr. Humaira Bano thanked participants and highlighted the institute’s ongoing initiatives, noting that its graduates are now serving as educators across numerous public and private universities.

The seminar underscored Punjab’s renewed commitment to building an inclusive, accessible, and empowered society for persons with special abilities.