KARACHI, OCT 12 (DNA) – President Dr Arif Alvi has urged society to treat the differently-abled persons with care.  He emphasized the need for mainstream schools and skills development programs for differently-abled persons.

The President expressed these views at the stone laying ceremony of Al-Shifa trust, Special School & Rehabilitation Centre in Karachi. Addressing the ceremony, he said that Universities have been directed to play their role in providing physical access to differently-abled persons in schools, colleges and universities, and Higher Education Commission had already announced that no fee should be collected from differently-abled persons.

The President underscored the need for proper care of differently-abled persons and philanthropists to come forward to eradicate poverty from society. He stated that our Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (Peace be upon him) has stressed philanthropy and social revival.

He said that the government had provided 2000 Rupees per month to special persons under the Ehsaas program. While applauding the efforts of the Ehsaas program during COVID-19, he said that Pakistan has efficiently coped with the situation and the world has appreciated the steps taken during COVID-19.

Chief Executive Officer of PIA, Air Marshall Arshad Malik, while addressing the ceremony thanked President and Begum Samina Alvi, and urged the society to come forward in fundraising to support the special cause. He further informed that Al-Shifa was the flagship CSR set up of PIA commenced as a Social Welfare agency in 1967 in collaboration with Civil Aviation and converted into Al-Shifa Trust in 1981.

Emphasizing the need for acceptance of differently-abled persons in our society, he said that acceptance was a great gift. PIA is fulfilling corporate social responsibilities besides its corporate role, he further said.

A beautiful Tableau was presented by special children of Al-Shifa Trust at the end of the ceremony that was highly applauded by President Arif Alvi and Begum Samina Alvi. The ceremony was attended by foreign diplomats, MPAs and dignitaries. = DNA

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