Pakistan – Persons with disabilities
CHAPTER 3: National Action Plan Priority Areas and Proposed Actions
3.2. NAP Priority Areas
3.2.2. Anti-Discrimination, Equal Opportunity, and Inclusion (page 19)
‘As established during the NBA and consultative process, the discriminatory treatment in business activity of women and vulnerable or marginalised groups, including […] Persons with Disabilities […] remains an ongoing challenge.’
Proposed Actions
- Federal and provincial (page 21)
‘19. Strengthen existing, and develop where required, civil remedies for discriminatory action based on […] disability […] or any other factor.
Performance indicator(s): (i) Number of remedies developed or strengthened
UN Guiding Principle(s): 25, 26, 29
Relevant SDG(s): Goal 5 – Gender Equality; Goal 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth; Goal 10 – Reduced Inequalities; Goal 16 – Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions’
This information is also covered under Appendix 1: Implementation Plan, Proposed Action 19 designating the Ministry of Human Rights and the Ministry of Law and Justice as Leading Entities, and designating the Federal and Provincial Commissions on the Status of Women, the Ministry of Commerce, the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan, the Provincial Human Rights Departments, the Provincial Women Welfare Departments, the Ministry of Overseas Pakistani and Human Development, the Federal and Provincial Ombudspersons against Harassment of Women at the Workplace, CSOs, NGOs and the Business Community as Additional Entities (page 50).
- Provincial (page 23)
‘27. Build, or further strengthen existing, partnerships with and facilitate businesses to increase disability inclusion in business activity and at the workplace.
Performance indicator(s): (i) Number of partnerships and activities with businesses on disability inclusion
UN Guiding Principle(s): 2, 3, 8, 11, 12
Relevant SDG(s): Goal 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth; Goal 10 – Reduced Inequalities’
This information is also covered under Appendix 1: Implementation Plan, Proposed Action 27 designating the Provincial Special Education Departments, the Provincial Social Welfare Departments, the Provincial Bait-ul-Maal Departments and Bodies for Persons with Disabilities as Leading Entities, and designating the Provincial Human Rights Departments, the Provincial Education Departments, the Provincial Labour Departments, the Provincial Law Departments, the Provincial Management and Professional Development Departments, the Provincial Planning and Development Department and the Provincial Health Departments as Additional Entities (page 54).
3.2.4. Labour Standards and the Informal Economy (page 28)
‘Pakistan has also ratified several ILO Conventions that require States to protect the rights of workers, eradicate child labour, forced labour or any forms of modern slavery. These conventions also require States to […] and habilitation of disabled workers etc. […]’
ANNEX II | Actions Already Undertaken by Pakistan
B | Measures Relevant to NAP Priority Areas
i. Anti-Discrimination, Equal Opportunity, and Inclusion
a) Inclusion of Vulnerable Groups and Marginalised Communities in Workplace
- ICT (page 78)
‘The ICT Rights of Persons with Disability Act was enacted in 2020.’
- Punjab (page 78)
‘The Disabled Persons (Employment and Rehabilitation) Ordinance 1981 applies in Punjab and provides support to Persons with Disabilities to find employment and be treated equally at places of work.
[…]
The Provincial Council for Rehabilitation of Disabled Persons has the mandate to safeguard the rights of Persons with Disabilities. This includes the creation of policies which encourage anti[1]discriminatory laws in all spheres, including non-discrimination in employment.’
- Sindh (page 78)
‘Section 8 of the Sindh Differently Abled Persons (Employment, Rehabilitation and Welfare) Act 2014 stipulates that not less than 2% of the total number of persons employed must be Persons with Disabilities.’
- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (page 79)
‘The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Disabled Persons (Employment and Rehabilitation) Amendment Act, 2012 focuses on the regulation and introduction of laws and practices that curb anti-discrimination against Persons with Disabilities in employment and emphasizes the need to ensure equal opportunities for such individuals as well.
[…]
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Labour Policy 2018 affirmed that Persons with Disabilities will be mainstreamed in all economic sectors, barriers for their participation in economic activities will be removed, their accessibility will be increased at all educational, vocational and workplace institutions and their achievements will be highlighted at all levels. The quota of Persons with Disabilities and facilitation in employment as protected under Disabled Persons (Employment & Rehabilitation) Ordinance, 1981 will strictly be observed in all the industrial and commercial establishments of the Province.’
- Balochistan (page 80)
‘The Balochistan Assembly has introduced the Persons with Disabilities Act 2017 which requires the Government to ensure that Persons with Disabilities are given equal opportunities to pursue their economic, social, and cultural rights. To eliminate discrimination against Persons with Disabilities, the Act mandates a 5 percent quota for employment which applies to corporate entities as well.’