Top of page
Law

Pakistan Lahore HC asks Punjab govt to protect rights of persons with disabilities

Pakistani woman in wheelchair during a rally
Photo: Dreamstime

Pakistan’s Lahore High Court (LHC) has directed the Punjab government to implement “The Punjab Empowerment of Persons with Different Abilities Act, 2021” in letter and spirit to protect the fundamental rights of persons with disabilities.

Justice Jawad Hassan issued the direction in a judgment issued on two PIL filed by Sana Khurshid, a lawyer, and motivational speaker with a disability.

The government had told the court that a vetted draft of “the Punjab Empowerment of Persons with Different Abilities Act, 2021” had been submitted to the standing committee of the cabinet on legislative business for consideration and approval at the last hearing.

Allowing the petitions, the judge, in his verdict, directed all the respondent authorities to take steps to protect, manage and provide all facilities to the persons with disabilities under the Act.

He states that the departments shall inform the public and create awareness regarding persons with disabilities through the media and other means.

The judge directed the Punjab government to revise and amend laws where clear direction and command were not entrusted to any authority. Under Punjab Rules of Business, the Secretary of Social Welfare and Baitul Maal Department had a clear mandate to make laws and policies.

You might also like

A woman in a wheelchair moves along a city street A woman in a wheelchair moves along a city street

New Zealand’s 2023 Census highlights disability and activity challenges

Disability and activity limitation statistics from the 2023 Census provide…

Green and orange graphic with a photo of a diverse group of smiling elementary school children standing together in a sunny schoolyard. At the center, a child in a wheelchair beams as friends stand close, some with arms around each other. White text reads, “Ability Central’s 2024 Impact Report. Green and orange graphic with a photo of a diverse group of smiling elementary school children standing together in a sunny schoolyard. At the center, a child in a wheelchair beams as friends stand close, some with arms around each other. White text reads, “Ability Central’s 2024 Impact Report.

Ability Central releases 2024 Impact Report

Ability Central announced their annual Impact Report for 2024, sharing…

man in a wheelchair talking with carer man in a wheelchair talking with carer

New action plan in development to strengthen support for unpaid carers

The New Zealand Government is taking action to support unpaid…

Justin Glyn Justin Glyn

Conference aims to reimagine disability in the Church

Disability advocates and theologians from the Catholic Church including a…