Highlight the achievements of Pakistanis on the occasion of World Braille Day; government commits to promoting braille literacy
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari. Photo: APP/AFP
ISLAMABAD:
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to protecting the rights, dignity and full participation of visually impaired people on the occasion of World Braille Day.
In a message issued on the occasion, President Asif Zardari extended his greetings to visually impaired people across the country and highlighted the importance of inclusion in national life.
He said World Braille Day commemorates the birth anniversary of Louis Braille, whose system of tactile literacy opened the doors of education, information and self-reliance to millions of people around the world.
The President emphasized that Braille is not only a tool for reading and writing, but also a symbol of independence, confidence and equal opportunities. He recalled that Pakistan was founded on the principles of equality, social justice and respect for human dignity, adding that national progress depends on the ability of every citizen to contribute meaningfully to society.
President Zardari emphasized that accessible education, inclusive public services and equal opportunities for visually impaired people are both a constitutional responsibility and a moral obligation.
He said Pakistan remained committed to promoting braille literacy, inclusive curricula and the use of assistive and digital technologies to expand access to learning and information.
He highlighted the need to embed accessibility standards in public buildings, government services and digital platforms to ensure that no citizen is excluded from civic life.
The President noted that the country continues to honor its commitments under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Sustainable Development Goals, which call for inclusive and equitable societies.
He paid tribute to people with visual impairments for their resilience, as well as educators, parents, carers and organizations working to promote braille education and social inclusion.
He urged federal and provincial governments, institutions, civil society, the private sector and communities to work together to remove barriers and strengthen accessibility.
“By fostering a culture of empathy and inclusion, we can move closer to a Pakistan where every individual is empowered to achieve their full potential. Pakistan Paindabad,” the President said.
Meanwhile, in his message, the Prime Minister maintained that the government was committed to protecting the rights of all special people, including visually impaired people, providing them with equal opportunities and creating an egalitarian society.
“Today, on the occasion of World Braille Day, I express my feelings of goodwill towards the visually impaired in Pakistan and around the world,” the Prime Minister said. “Louis Braille’s revolutionary tactile writing system has created opportunities for education, access to information and a dignified life for millions of visually impaired people around the world,” he added.
“Rightly recognizing the profound importance of this system, the United Nations General Assembly declared January 4 World Braille Day in 2018.”
The Prime Minister noted that the remarkable achievements of visually impaired Pakistanis in various fields, facilitated by Braille, demonstrate that talent and determination can overcome any obstacle.
“The visually impaired in Pakistan work with great dedication after achieving success in various fields and even competitive examinations. In this regard, Ms. Saima Saleem is eminent as she is serving in the United Nations Mission in Pakistan as an officer of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” he said.
“Indeed, such achievements are shining examples of perseverance, competence and national dignity. And undoubtedly, they also reflect the strength of accessible education and social cooperation,” he added.
“Pakistan is a member of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD). Pakistan also ratified the Marrakesh Treaty in 2023 to ensure access to knowledge and information. As part of this treaty, the commitment to providing published materials in formats accessible to people with visual impairments or disabilities was reiterated.
The Prime Minister urged not only the government, but also educational institutions, civil society, the private sector and the media, to strengthen their efforts to promote braille literacy and provide accessible facilities to protect the rights of the visually impaired.
