1) SRSP Swat organized an event on December 3, 2014 to mark International Day of Persons with Disabilities in collaboration with Pakistan Special Persons Development Organization at Aumang Model School in Matta, Swat. 2) Over 200 representatives from government, development organizations, military, media, and persons with disabilities participated in the event. 3) Several speakers addressed the event, emphasizing the rights and important role of persons with disabilities in society, and calling for greater support and inclusive policies.

1. International day of persons with disabilities
With collaboration of “Pakistan Special Persons Development Organization” Swat
December 03, 2014
Programme for Economic Advancement and Community Empowerment (PEACE)
Funded by European Union Implemented by SRSP
Reported by: Bahadur Ali, Regional HRDO SRSP Swat
SRSP Swat on the request of Pakistan Special Persons Development Organization (PSPDO) Swat organized “International
day of persons with disabilities” at Aumang Model School Matta Swat on December 03, 2014. More than 200
representatives from concerned government departments, developmental organizations, Pak Army, Media and other
stakeholders as well as men and women from all walks of life especially persons with disabilities participated. Mr.
Ehsanullah Khan (Member BOD) and Mr. Ijaz Ali (DPM) SRSP also participated. Mr. Riaz Ali Khan (Assistant Commissioner
Matta Swat) was invited in the occasion as chief guest.

2. The event was started with recitation from the Holy Quran
performed by one among the training participants, followed by
Naat Sharif performed by girl students.
Mr. Yousuf Khan, President of Pakistan Special Persons Development Organization
(PSPDO) Swat presented warm welcome to all the coming guests and entire
participants. He further added that PSPDO Swat has been established in 2007 and
registered in 2012 with Social Welfare Department. He also highlighted the activities
being carried out by PSPDO especially with regard to persons with disabilities
(PWDs) and briefed the participants regarding celebrating international day for
persons with disabilities on December 03, 2014.
Colonel Retired Abdul Ghaffar Khan, while expressing his views he thanked all the
guests and participants. He further highlighted rights and duties of PWDs and
stressed on attitudinal change of common people with PWDs.

3. Mr. Naeem Sultan Khan (Director Aumang Model School
Matta) thanked the guests and entire participants for their
timely participation. He further highlighted activities and
efforts what they are doing. He also pointed out the problems
faced by PWDs and requested the concerned line
departments and stakeholders to contribute their efforts in
overcoming and minimizing these problems. He shared that
provision of assistance to PWDs could onward lead towards
inclusive society. He once again requested that PWDs are part
of our society and they need our attention.
Major Zafar Ali (Pak Army Matta)
first he thanked the organizers of
this event and all participants. He
further presented warm address to
the organizations and stakeholders
for providing continuous support to
persons with disabilities. He also
highlighted the efforts being done by
Pak Army for the welfare of PWDs
and ensured all possible support in
future.
Tableau was presented by dumb students of Aumang Model
School, which was very charming for all the participants. It was
very informative tableau through which they conveyed an
important message to all with regard to importance of
education for PWDs.
Mr. Ijaz Ali (District Programme Manager SRSP Swat) while expressing his views he thanked the entire participants and then
asked the crowd to raise their hands those people who are PWDs so that to show their active participation. He further added
that as per world statistics 15 % population of the world is PWDs, which become more than 18 million PWDs in Pakistan. He
further stressed on leadership of PWDs and their rights. He also shared that due to less attention of common people with
PWDs in our society, they are always in trouble especially when any disaster occurred. He also gave better touch with Islamic
point of view and added that much more attention they need. He was also of the opinion that unluckily there is no
representation of PWDs in policy makers, so it is very essential for PWDs to organize and carry on struggle for their rights.

4. Mr. Farooq Maseeh (Handicap International) thanked the participants and highlighted
activities being done by Handicap International in Pakistan. He also discussed in detail
about PWDs, their importance and role in our society and stressed on better attitude of
common folk with PWDs. He appreciated the PSPDO and Aumang and their activities. In
the last he shared that being human we all are equal and to be treated equal.
Mr. Iftikhar Ahmad (Awakening Organization
Swat) while expressing his views he welcomed all
the participants. He further briefed the
participants and added that he is himself PWD. He
also shared the activities being carried out by
Awakening Organization especially with regard to
legal rights of PWDs
Mr. Badar ul Hakim (Community Activist) started
with Pashto poem and welcomed all the participants.
He stressed on attitudinal change especially with
PWDs. He requested concerned departments for
providing ramps farcicalities in schools and hospitals
Mr. Nasar Khan (KHSUBOO Organization) presented warm welcome to the entire
guests and participants. He stressed on preventive measures and requested
district administration to fully cooperate in vaccine venture to be started soon.

5. Mr. Ehsanullah Khan (Member BOD SRSP) while expressing his views he first got attention of
the chief guest to concentrate on PWDs on every part of life and added that PWDs are
important part of our society and we all should treat them with human sympathy. He further
highlighted SRSP and its working approach in KP especially in Malakand Division.
Free of cost notebooks were distributed among PWDs students from Awakening Organization.

6. Mr. Riaz Ali Khan (Assistant Commissioner Matta) and chief guest of the event while expressing his
views he thanked the participants for their active and timely participation. He also stressed on council
formation of PWDs to strengthen coordination among the concerned departments, organizations and
PWDs. He ensured all possible support from district and tehsil administration. He once again thanked
Mr. Ehsanullah Khan (Member BOD SRSP) for his kind and valuable efforts.
Shields and awards were also distributed by PSPDO Swat
among PWDs on their best performance.