President of NDF Pakistan
Karachi: In a world where challenges often break spirits, Abid Lashari stands as a beacon of resilience and inspiration. Hailing from Nawabshah, Sindh, Abid’s journey began with a life-altering incident—he lost both his hands due to a severe burn injury in childhood. But rather than letting disability define his destiny, he chose to rise above it.
Today, Abid Lashari serves as the President of the National Disability & Development Forum (NDF) Pakistan, working passionately from both Karachi and Nawabshah to transform the lives of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. His life’s mission is rooted in empathy, lived experience, and an unshakable belief in inclusive development.
In 2018, Abid established the first NDF Rehabilitation Center in Nawabshah. His vision was simple yet powerful: to provide free, accessible, and professional support to children with intellectual disabilities, especially from underserved communities. His approach combined physiotherapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, psychotherapy, and remedial education — all under one roof.
Encouraged by the impact, NDF expanded its model to Larkana and Gulistan-e-Johar, Karachi in 2023, followed by the establishment of another center in Gulshan-e-Hadeed, Karachi in 2024, and most recently in Hyderabad in 2025. Each center offers not just therapy but a chance at life, learning, and dignity for children who would otherwise be excluded.
Today, more than 500 children are under active rehabilitation through these five centers, supported generously by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPD), Government of Sindh and other donors. The centers have become safe spaces where children are treated with compassion and are prepared for integration into mainstream society.
Abid’s work has not gone unnoticed. His role as a disability rights activist has earned him national and international recognition. He continues to advocate for inclusive education, accessibility, and policy reform for persons with disabilities.
Abid Lashari’s story is a powerful reminder that disability is not inability. Through courage, vision, and community support, he has not only transformed his own life but has become a source of transformation for hundreds of others.