Karachi: Special Education Department, Government of Sindh in collaboration with Karachi Vocational Training Center organized Abilities Expo; opportunities for all to share the voice of largely marginalized disabled community of Pakistan at Expo Center on Saturday. Chief Minister of Sindh,Sayed Murad Ali Shah inaugurated the event in which more than forty Public and private sector schools that are imparting education and vocational training to special children, set-up their stalls to showcase their works and service. He directed special education department to prepare an annual calendar of extracurricular activities in collaboration with sports department for what he termed the ‘differently abled’ children to bring them in the stream in different sectors of the society. He said that the purpose of arranging the event was to provide opportunities to the special people by bringing all the stakeholders under one platform. “Up till now, very limited efforts have been made to develop a strong linkage mechanism between the special persons, educational institutions and entrepreneurs. “This event gives better coordination and an incentive mechanism in addition to existing facilities.” He went on saying: “It is an innovative approach to provide an opportunity for ‘differently abled’ people to stand on their feet and lead a responsible life.” The world and its value system had traversed a long distance to cover and achieve the objectives of civilization. “Gone are the days when strength and opulence of the society was considered to be the depiction of civilization development,” he said and added: “The world has crossed that narrow meaning of civilization. Now presence of pragmatic supporting mechanism for vulnerable section of the society in a system has become the benchmark of social development.” Besides, thousands of people with disabilities, their families, caregivers, seniors, and healthcare professionals also attended the Expo. The media representative of KVTC, Khola Urooj said that they have organsied that event to tell people that these disabled persons are not useless but they are differently able possessing different abilities. An associate partnership sales at Jiddat( a sub-part of KVTC), Faiza Khalid said that they employ disabled persons, train them in technical education and make them able to go in the market to work like normal people. The expo featured an impressive line-up of exhibits, Abilities to Hire – Job Fair, celebrities and activities to appeal people of all ages with physical, learning, developmental and sensory disabilities. The Expo is a resource fair for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) held annually in various countries around the world aiming to provide equal opportunities to everyone in the community leading to a more inclusive society.