The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPD), Government of Sindh, today categorically rejected the protest organized by a small group of visually impaired persons under the banner of Sindh Blind Action Committee outside Karachi Press Club.
The department clarified that their demand for direct government jobs without following the due process of law is unlawful, extra-legal, and cannot be entertained.
In an official statement, DEPD emphasized that all government employment must be processed through the District Recruitment Committee (DRC) after the posts are advertised in newspapers. The department highlighted that bypassing legal procedures and quotas would not only be illegal but would also create imbalance and unrest among persons with disabilities (PWDs) belonging to other categories.
The statement further underlined that DEPD has been working to provide employment opportunities to PWDs in government departments as per recruitment laws. For the fiscal year 2025-26, the Sindh government has allocated PKR 17 billion to DEPD, reflecting its strong commitment to the welfare, empowerment, and inclusion of PWDs.
DEPD pointed out that the department continues to launch welfare initiatives focusing on vocational training, skill development, rehabilitation services, assistive devices, and inclusive development programs. Last year, 156 visually impaired persons were hired on a contingent basis in different districts, and many of them have since been regularized through DRCs chaired by respective deputy commissioners.
The department also confirmed that leading disability organizations, including Pakistan Disabled Foundation, Pakistan Independent Living Centre, Pakistan Down-Syndrome Association, National Disability Forum, and Pakistan Association of Blind, have disassociated themselves from the protest. They stressed that employment quotas should be observed equally for all PWDs, rather than being dominated by one group.
It was clarified that no government job can be granted solely on the basis of illegal protests. Recruitment will continue strictly under the law while maintaining merit and transparency as mandated by the courts.
DEPD advised the protesting visually impaired persons to apply through their respective DRCs or explore opportunities in the private sector where the department is ready to provide support. However, their insistence on bypassing the rules and demanding jobs beyond their due share cannot be accepted.
The protest staged outside Karachi Press Club under the Sindh Blind Action Committee banner was termed out of context and extra-legal. DEPD strongly refuted the allegations raised during the protest and reaffirmed that such demands have no legal standing.