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On World Braille Day, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to safeguarding the rights, dignity and full inclusion of persons with visual impairment.
In a message marking the day, President Zardari extended greetings to visually impaired persons across the country, stressing the importance of their inclusion in national life. He noted that World Braille Day marks the birth anniversary of Louis Braille, whose tactile writing system transformed access to education, information and self-reliance for millions worldwide.
The president described Braille as a symbol of independence, confidence and equal opportunity. He recalled that Pakistan was founded on principles of equality, social justice and respect for human dignity, adding that true national progress depends on enabling every citizen to contribute meaningfully to society.
President Zardari stated that accessible education, inclusive public services and equal opportunities for persons with visual impairment are both a constitutional duty and a moral responsibility. He reaffirmed the country’s commitment to promoting Braille literacy, inclusive curricula and assistive and digital technologies to broaden access to learning and information.
He also emphasised the need to embed accessibility standards in public buildings, government services and digital platforms, warning that no citizen should be excluded from civic life.
The president said Pakistan continues to honour its obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Sustainable Development Goals.
Paying tribute to persons with visual impairment, as well as educators, parents, caregivers and organisations supporting Braille education and social inclusion, President Zardari urged all stakeholders 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 realise their full potential,” he said.
Separately, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reiterated the government’s commitment to protecting the rights of all special persons, including the visually impaired, and ensuring equal opportunities in society.
“Today, on the occasion of World Braille Day, I express my feelings of goodwill to the visually impaired in Pakistan and around the world,” the prime minister said.
He highlighted Louis Braille’s “revolutionary tactile writing system,” noting that it has enabled education, access to information and a dignified life for millions globally.
He recalled that the United Nations General Assembly declared January 4 as World Braille Day in 2018 in recognition of the system’s global importance.
The prime minister also praised the achievements of visually impaired Pakistanis in various fields, saying they demonstrate how talent and determination can overcome obstacles. He cited the example of Saima Saleem, a visually impaired officer serving with Pakistan’s mission to the United Nations, describing such accomplishments as symbols of perseverance, competence and national pride.
He further urged government institutions, educational bodies, civil society, the private sector and the media to intensify efforts to promote Braille literacy and expand accessible facilities to better protect the rights of the visually impaired.
