LAHORE: (Monday, December 03, 2012): Department of special education, university of the Punjab, arranged a one day seminar on “Empowering the Persons with Disabilities:

Success Stories” in celebration of International Day for the Persons with disabilities. Prof. Dr. Liaqat Ali, Dean, Faculty of Education and Commerce was the chief guest of the seminar on behalf of Vice Chancellor. Success Story of life by Dr. Sheikh Muhammad Iqbal, Editor, Monthly “Sufaid Chharri” Sargodha., Mr. Shafiq-ur-Rehman, President, MILESTONE Society for the Special Persons, Lahore. Mr. Aamir Mushtaq, Graduate, Department of Special Education, Dr. Waqar Chaudhary, Regional Director, Provincial Chief Associated Press of Pakistan , Prof. Dr. Mumtaz Akhtar, Director, Institute of Education & Research, along many other heads of the various departments also participated in this seminar. Mrs. Ghulam Fatima, Dr. Hina Fazil, Dr Samina Ashraf, Dr. Nasir-ud-Din, Dr. Rukhsana Bashir and more than 200 students of the department made it possible to arrange this successful seminar. Addressing the seminar, Dr. Humara Bano, In-charge, Department of Special Education, said that the seminar was a source of awaring the community about the rights of persons with disabilities on equal basis.

She also highlighted that after the rectification of United Nation Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNRCPD) by state of Pakistan in June 2012 at Islamabad, it’s the duty of all community members to provide education to all persons with disabilities with regular children in inclusive setup as well as to pay their other rights. Prof. Dr. Sheikh Muhammad Iqbal was of the view that an attitude of independency should be developed among the persons with disabilities rather to beg for free services as it may enhance the confidence and dignity of persons with disabilities. All other speakers also congratulated the department for arranging this important seminar to aware the society about the needs/rights of children with disabilities. Prof. Dr. Liaqat Ali congratulated Dr. Bano and his team for arranging such a valuable seminar to sensitize the community for the rights of persons with disabilities. He said that Punjab University was the only university which was providing education and boarding facilities to special persons and more facilities would be provided soon. Later, Dr. Rukhsana Bashir presented vote of thanks to all distinguish guests and students with special needs who participated from other departments.