Sindh Education Minister Syed Sardar Ali Shah said that the Sindh government has set many examples in taking initiatives for the welfare of persons with disabilities. He added that Chief Minister Sindh, Syed Murad Ali Shah, considers persons with special needs very close to his heart and always remains committed to raising collective awareness and sensitivity regarding them. He expressed these views while addressing a ceremony as chief guest held in connection with the International Day of Sign Languages. The event was organized by the Pakistan Association of the Deaf at Fatima Jinnah Dental College, Korangi, Karachi. It was attended by a large number of individuals, teachers, and students working for the welfare of people with hearing impairments. The theme of the event was “No human rights without sign language rights.”
Speaking on the occasion, the Sindh Education Minister said that the International Day of Sign Languages is celebrated worldwide every year on September 23. He noted that in Pakistan, nearly 10 million people are affected by hearing-related issues. He remarked that those who understand sign language also understand the language of the heart, and true wisdom lies in being able to listen to silence as well. The provincial minister further stated that learning sign language is one of the greatest forms of knowledge for understanding humanity. He said that humans must have begun communicating through gestures before speech, and one who understands signs can also read the stories hidden in silence. He added that people with hearing impairments teach us that expression is not limited to sound alone. The true essence of humanity is that we should be able to listen to one another, even in the absence of sound.
He emphasized again that no physical disability is a burden, but denying equal rights becomes the real deprivation. The Sindh government has taken numerous measures for the welfare of persons with disabilities, and Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah regards them with great compassion. Today’s ceremony serves as a reminder that every individual has the right to education and skill development. The government of Sindh is determined to further improve effective educational programs and facilities for students with special needs. The provincial minister paid tribute to teachers and parents who are playing their role in educating and guiding children with hearing impairments. His speech was interpreted into sign language by a teacher of special children.
The event also featured a special video message from Irfan Mumtaz, CEO of the Pakistan Association of the Deaf, who himself is a hearing-impaired individual and the only member from Pakistan in the World Federation of the Deaf. He encouraged the audience through sign language. Students from the Center for Excellence for the Deaf School also presented various performances. The ceremony was jointly organized in collaboration with the Sindh Government’s Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities.