Karachi: Chairman Duaba Foundation, Mr. Liaqat Ali, visited the DEPD-PDSA Rehabilitation Center in Gulshan-e-Hadeed, Karachi, to observe the free rehabilitation services provided for children with intellectual disabilities, particularly Down Syndrome.

Mr. Abid Lashari, CEO of the Pakistan Down Syndrome Association (PDSA), briefed him on the collaborative efforts between PDSA and the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPD), Government of Sindh, in delivering essential rehabilitation services.

Mr. Liaqat Ali, who is also a Board Member of Indus Consortium, emphasized the urgent need to expand such facilities to all district headquarters across Pakistan. He highlighted that Pakistan has a 9.64% disability ratio, which is a significant concern.

He stressed that preventive measures such as discouraging cousin marriages, child marriages, and malnutrition, along with addressing causes like road accidents, can help reduce the prevalence of disabilities.

Mr. Jamshed Fareed, Board Member of Ready Pakistan and Star Network, commended the efforts of PDSA and the National Disability & Development Forum (NDF), calling them role models in the field of rehabilitation.

He also praised the serious commitment of the DEPD Department, Government of Sindh, and urged other provinces to replicate these good practices to ensure better rehabilitation opportunities for children with disabilities.

Additionally, Hussain Jarwar, CEO of Indus Consortium, along with other member organizations, expressed appreciation for the impactful initiatives undertaken by NDF and PDSA in Sindh. The visit reaffirmed the importance of accessible rehabilitation services and the need for nationwide initiatives to mainstream children with disabilities and improve their quality of life.