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Pakistani blind people threaten to go on hunger strike

Instead of supporting the visually impaired, Pakistan’s police is suppressing them
Pakistani blind people threaten to go on hunger strike

Members of All Punjab Blind Association addressing media Aug. 29 in Lahore, alleging police intimidation. (Photo by Kamran Chaudhry) 

Published: August 30, 2016 10:36 AM GMT
Updated: August 30, 2016 10:37 AM GMT

The All Punjab Blind Association (APBA) has threatened to go on hunger strike if nothing is done to remedy police intimidation and government indifference, three members said at a press conference in Lahore Aug. 29.

"The government just does not understand our needs," said Muhammad Fayaz, while announcing that APBA members will organize hunger strike camps on international White Cane Day Oct. 12.

The Social Welfare Department has registered 2,700 blind people in Punjab. In 2014, the Punjab government raised the job quota for visually impaired people from 2 percent to 3 percent.

However, APBA claims only 250 members have been employed so far.

In a press statement, the association extended several demands for their job security including a monthly stipend of 12,000 rupees (US$114), a 25 percent employment and educational quotas and 100 percent quota for telephone operators in all state departments.

Caritas Pakistan Lahore, which runs a center for visually impaired girls and women, supported these demands.

"We condemn the violence against this vulnerable group who are already too sensitive," said Rojar Randhawa, operations management of the diocesan unit.

"The government must provide them more opportunities and help them live with dignity. About 80 percent of APBA members are educated and can serve as teachers and computer data entry operators," Randhawa said.

The Aug. 29 press conference was called after a protest by the association scheduled for earlier this month was cancelled, apparently after organizers were intimidated by the authorities.

Fayaz claims a high-ranking police officer came to his house the day before the protest and tried to detain him. "Community elders intervened so he left a constable behind and I was kept under house arrest for two days," the 23-year-old said.

"Other APBA members received threatening phone calls from security agencies," Fayaz said. "The government is mistreating disabled people to hide its own failures. We are not terrorists or rebels. We have the right to stand up to intimidation."

In 2014, five police officers were discharged after blind protesters were beaten with batons during a march on World Disability Day. Blind protesters again clashed with Punjab police January this year. Several people were injured when police pulled them inside their vans. They were released that same evening. 

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