KARACHI — Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Wednesday reaffirmed his government’s resolve to stand by farmers and flood-affected families, while also vowing to strengthen law and order and push forward inclusive development for marginalized communities.
Speaking to reporters after inaugurating the Center of Excellence for Disability Inclusion in Karachi’s Korangi area, Shah described the initiative as a landmark in social welfare and empowerment. The 34,000-square-foot facility, established by the provincial Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities in collaboration with NOWPDP and other partners, has been billed as the country’s largest and most advanced centre of its kind.
Equipped with wheelchair production units, IT and textile training labs, industrial sewing and packaging workshops, as well as culinary and beautician programs, the centre aims to provide vocational skills, economic empowerment, and dignified employment opportunities for persons with disabilities. Rehabilitation services for neurodiverse individuals are also part of the project.
During his visit, Shah interacted with children and trainees — including visually and hearing-impaired students engaged in IT and creative projects, women learning beauty services, and youth training in textiles and cooking. “I am truly pleased to see their talent,” he said. “These children and young people will become the pride of Pakistan.”
Driving Licenses for Persons with Disabilities
One of the key demands raised during the inauguration was the facilitation of driving licenses for trained individuals with disabilities. Acting immediately, Shah summoned DIG Driving License Branch Younus Chandio to the venue and instructed him to conduct professional tests at the centre itself. He ordered that those who passed be issued licenses without delay.
In a symbolic move, the Chief Minister took a short rickshaw ride with a driver with disabilities, praising his skill and directing officials to complete the licensing process promptly.
“This is only the beginning,” Shah told reporters. “We are committed to both strengthening law and order and ensuring that no community is left behind in Sindh’s development journey.”
Flood Relief and Farmers’ Package
Turning to the broader crisis triggered by devastating floods, Shah recalled PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s call for an agricultural emergency. He said the provincial government has already prepared a comprehensive relief package for farmers and welcomed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s announcement of a federal-level agricultural emergency.
He endorsed Islamabad’s move to form a high-powered committee and seek assistance from the United Nations and international partners, stressing that the scale of destruction required global attention.
The Chief Minister warned of an impending wheat shortage if swift interventions were not made. He noted that last year’s wheat output had fallen by 20 percent due to poor pricing and farmer distress. “If this continues, the crisis could deepen. Bilawal Bhutto’s demand for an agricultural emergency is not just about farmers it is about protecting the food security of the entire nation,” Shah emphasized.
