LAHORE: Authorities at the Alhamra Art Gallery on Saturday locked up a group of visually impaired people in a hall, fearing that they would protest for their rights at an event being organised there on the occasion of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. According to reports, the visually impaired people were there to take part in an event but after ‘sensing’ that their assembly would turn into a protest demonstration, the Alhamra staff guided them to an empty hall, saying that they were being taken to the hall where the ceremony was being held. The victims told the media that the staff members tricked them and locked them up in the room. They claimed that they had not gone there to protest, but to only ask for their rights peacefully. Meanwhile, during another event in connection with the day, Lahore Corps Commander Lieutenant General Sadiq Ali said it was very important for donors to make sure that they were giving donations to trustworthy organisations. Addressing the gathering at Rising Sun Institute for Special Children on Saturday, he said that every individual should play their due role for creating awareness regarding giving donations to right organisation that completely do good work. He also thanked all those who give their time and resources for the welfare of special children. Lieutenant General Sadiq Ali lauded the dedication of teachers and faculty members who worked hard for the welfare and rehabilitation of special children, which he said was a great contribution. He said that support to the institute would continue, as it was “our collective responsibility to support special children for strengthening them”. Pakistan Peace Collective (PPC) Chief Operating Officer Shabbir Anwar said that the PPC was a project of the government of Pakistan and its aim was to increase public support and bolster resilience against extremism and violence in Pakistan. Other speakers highlighted the importance of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities with emphasis on creating awareness among the general public about capabilities and disabilities of special children, and admired the organisations that were serving transparently for the cause of special children. Prizes were distributed among special children for their achievements in different activities. It is pertinent to mention here that the International Day of Persons with Disabilities was being marked under the theme “Achieving 17 goals for the future we want, which draws attention to the 17 sustainable development goals and how these goals can create a more inclusive and equitable world for persons with disabilities.”