Pakistan Disability Policy Framework

Disability Policy Framework in Pakistan: A Critical Review

This framework provides a chronological analysis of how Pakistan has transitioned from a “medical model” of charity to a “rights-based” social model for persons with disabilities (PWDs).

Chronological Legislation Timeline

1. The Foundation (1981 – 2008)

• 1981: The Disabled Persons (Employment and Rehabilitation) Ordinance
• This law viewed disability as a medical issue, treating PWDs as objects of charity rather than rights-holders.
• 2002: National Policy for Persons with Disabilities
  • This was Pakistan’s first legal framework, establishing a 1% employment quota for establishments with over 100 employees.
• 2006: National Plan of Action (NPA)
• A roadmap for the 2002 policy focusing on 17 critical areas, including inclusive education and social security.
• 2006: Accessibility Code of Pakistan
• Technical guidelines for architects to ensure barrier-free environments, such as ramps and accessible washrooms.
• 2008: Special Citizens’ Act
• Aimed to provide equal rights to public transport and facilities.

2. Transition to Rights-Based Frameworks (2009 – 2014)

• 2008: National Youth Policy
• This shifted the focus from “Special Schools” to “Inclusive Education” in mainstream classrooms.
• 2009: National Education Policy of Pakistan
• By ratifying the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Pakistan legally committed to a rights-based framework.
• 2010: Import of Duty-Free Car for Disabled Persons
  • Federal government allowed PWDs to import customized vehicles (up to 1350cc) without paying heavy duties to support personal mobility
• 2011: Ratification of UNCRPD
• By ratifying the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Pakistan legally committed to transforming its laws into a rights-based framework
• 2014: Banking Infrastructure & Guidelines for Visually Impaired
• The State Bank of Pakistan mandated talking ATMs and Braille forms for visually impaired users.

3. Modern Empowerment (2017 – Present)

• 2017: The Balochistan Persons with Disabilities Act: Focused on protection from abuse, right to health, and employment. It was a localized response to the UNCRPD
• 2018: Sindh Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities Act: A landmark law that increased the job quota to 5% and established a specialized oversight department.
• 2018: The ICT Rights of Persons with Disability Act: Provides business loans up to PKR 1.5 million at 5% interest specifically for PWDs.
• 2019: SBP Concessionary Financing Facility: Specific to Islamabad, this modern act emphasizes self-representation and the social model of disability.
• Latest: HEC Policy for Students with Disabilities: Mandates full tuition/hostel fee waivers and a 2% admission quota in higher education.
• Latest: NUST Disability Redressal Policy: Approved in 2019, NUST’s policy is one of the most comprehensive institutional frameworks in Pakistan.

Highlights:

• Disability Resource Center (DRC): A centralized office for all disability-related grievances.
  • Examination Benefits: Extra time (30 mins for finals) and provision of writers.
  • Academic Prioritization: Priority ground-floor seating and digitized lecture notes.

Critical Analysis of Current Gaps

Despite progressive laws, several implementation barriers remain:

Area	Policy Goal	Critical Reality
Accessibility	Barrier-free public buildings.	Enforcement fails; new buildings are often still built without ramps.
Employment	1% to 5% job quotas.	Companies often pay a small fine rather than hiring PWDs.
Education	Inclusive mainstream schools.	Lack of “Shadow Teachers” and modified curricula stalls progress.
Banking	Financial independence.	Blind persons are still often denied ATM cards without a joint holder.

Institutional Spotlight: NUST Disability Redressal Policy

NUST’s 2019 policy serves as a benchmark for institutional inclusion:

• Disability Resource Center (DRC): A centralized office for handling all disability-related grievances.
• Examination Benefits: Provision of writers and 30 minutes of extra time for final exams.
• Academic Prioritization: Priority ground-floor seating and digitized lecture notes.
• Social Integration: While technical systems are integrated, a cultural shift is still needed for full extracurricular inclusion.

REFERENCES

National Legislation and Ordinances

1. Disabled Persons Ordinance (DPO), 1981
   • Government of Pakistan. (1981). The Disabled Persons (Employment and Rehabilitation) Ordinance, 1981 (Ordinance No. XL of 1981). Gazette of Pakistan, Extraordinary.
2. Balochistan Persons with Disabilities Act, 2017
   • Government of Balochistan. (2017). The Balochistan Persons with Disabilities Act, 2017 (Act No. II of 2017). Provincial Assembly of Balochistan.
3. Sindh Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2018
   • Government of Sindh. (2018). The Sindh Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2018 (Sindh Act No. IX of 2018). Provincial Assembly of Sindh.
4. ICT Rights of Persons with Disability Act, 2020
   • Government of Pakistan. (2020). The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2020 (Act No. XV of 2020). Gazette of Pakistan, Extraordinary.

National Policies and Implementation Plans

5. National Policy for Persons with Disabilities, 2002
   • Ministry of Women Development, Social Welfare and Special Education. (2002). National Policy for Persons with Disabilities. Government of Pakistan.
6. National Plan of Action (NPA), 2006
   • Directorate General of Special Education. (2006). National Plan of Action to Implement the National Policy for Persons with Disabilities. Ministry of Social Welfare and Special Education, Government of Pakistan.
7. Accessibility Code of Pakistan, 2006
   • Ministry of Social Welfare and Special Education. (2006). National Accessibility Code of Pakistan 2006. Government of Pakistan in collaboration with Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC).
8. National Youth Policy, 2008
   • Ministry of Youth Affairs. (2008). National Youth Policy. Government of Pakistan.
9. National Education Policy, 2009
   • Ministry of Education. (2009). National Education Policy 2009. Government of Pakistan.

10. NUST policy
    • National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST). (2019). NUST policy for students with disabilities. Disability Resource Center (DRC). (NUST, 2019).

State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Regulations

10. SBP Accessibility Circular, 2014
    • State Bank of Pakistan. (2014). Facilities for Special Persons (BPRD Circular No. 05 of 2014). Banking Policy & Regulations Department.
11. SBP Guidelines for Visually Impaired Persons
    • State Bank of Pakistan. (2021). Guidelines for Accessibility of Banking Services for Visually Impaired and Blind Persons. Consumer Protection Department.
12. SBP Concessionary Financing Facility for Special Persons
    • State Bank of Pakistan. (2019). Small Enterprise (SE) Financing and Credit Guarantee Facility for Special Persons (IH&SMEFD Circular No. 03 of 2019). Infrastructure, Housing & SME Finance Department.

Special Schemes and International Conventions

13. Import of Duty-Free Cars Scheme, 2010
    • Ministry of Commerce. (2010). Import of Duty-Free Cars for Disabled Persons under S.R.O. 277(I)/2010. Government of Pakistan.
14. Custom Duty Exemptions (Import of Duties)
    • Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). (2010). Exemption of Customs Duty for Disabled Persons on Import of Specially Designed Motor Vehicles. Government of Pakistan.
15. UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)
    • United Nations. (2006). Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Treaty Series, 2515, 3. (Ratified by Pakistan on July 5, 2011).