KHAR, Dec 3: Speakers at a seminar held in connection with International Day of Persons with Disabilities on Tuesday urged the government to take steps for fulfilling basic needs and provision of facilities to the disabled persons in the country, particularly in Federally Administered Tribal Areas.

A number of persons with disabilities (PWDs) from across Bajaur Agency besides tribal elders and social activists attended the seminar, organised by Bajaur Disabled Persons Association in collaboration with an NGO.

Bajaur Disabled Persons Association president Ameer Zada and others spoke at the seminar and said that the observance of the day since 1992 was aimed at promoting an understanding of the disability-related issues and mobilising support for the rights and wellbeing of persons with disabilities.

They noted that the number of disabled persons in Bajaur Agency had increased during past several years, mainly due to militancy and war against terrorism. They said that the number of disabled persons in Bajaur Agency alone was in thousands.

Different activities like sports competitionsand bicycle and wheelchair races were held for the disabled persons in Khar.

LANDI KOTAL: A group of physically disabled persons on Tuesday held a protest demonstration at the Bab-i-Khyber in Jamrud to condemn non-provision of facilities to them. The protest was organised on the occasion of International Day of Persons with Disabilities.Led by Saifur Rehman, 22, a student of B.Ed in the University of Peshawar, nearly two dozen special persons assembled at the Bab-i-Khyber and marched through the Jamrud bazaar while holding placards inscribed with slogans reminding the concerned departments of their unfulfilled promises.

`Education and skill training is our basic demand as we do not want to be a burden on our society,` said Mr Rehman, while addressing the gathering at the end of the protest march. He said most disabled persons across Fata were illiterate and jobless and burden on their parents and relatives.

`We are awaiting scholarships announced by various governments and different departments,` he said and added that he himself faced financial problems during his school and college education.

`Most of the seats reserved for disabled per-sons in government departments in Fata are currently occupied by healthy people while the authorities look the other way when they are reminded of the violations of such rules, he regretted.

Mr Rehman demanded of the Fata Secretariat to arrange for establishing vocational centres for special persons of Fata in every tribal agency.

MANSEHRA: People with disabilities organised an awareness walk to highlight their needs and rights at Datta area here on Tuesday.

Holding banners and placards inscribed with their demands they marched on Karakoram Highway. A function was also held in this connection at the Institute of Rehabilitation Sciences, which was attended largely by people with disabilities.

The speakers on the occasion said that the government should give due rights to the PWDs.

MINGORA: Omung Special Education School, Matta, organised a function where the students presented tableaus and national songs.

Speaking on the occasion,Abdul Ghafar and Ihsanullah said that the society should harness the talents of special children by extendingthem active support in their education. They said that the government should play the lead role in the well-being of special children.

Meanwhile, Environmental Protection Society, Helping Hands and Kohisar Special Education School jointly organised a walk to mark the international day for PWDs. The walk ended at Swat Press Club where the speakers said that it was the government`s responsibility to provide them all necessary assistance and support.

MARDAN: A function and sports competitions were held in connection with the International Day of Persons with Disabilities at Abdul Wali Khan University here.

Sports competitions between the teams of special persons were arranged on the occasion. Students, faculty members and administrative staff of the university rallied from the campus to the press club to create awareness of rights, needs and difficulties of the special persons.

Teams of the dumb and deaf students participated in 200-metre race, cricket and tug of war competitions, organised by the varsity.

Functions were also held in Timergara and Talash areas of Lower Dir to mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.