President Asif Ali Zardari has stressed the need to take urgent steps to address the needs of special people and said the government will upgrade the standard of services for disabled persons in similar to other civilized nations of the world. In his message on International Disabilities Day on Dec 3, President Zardari said the government fully realizes the problems of disabled persons and would provide them best facilities in all fields of life. President Zardari said the government had introduced special computerized identity cards for the disabled persons besides taking other tangible steps including provision of free medical treatment at federal government hospitals and implementation of two percent quota for their employment. He mentioned that provision of 50 percent concession in air and rail fares is another important facility extended by the present government to the persons with disabilities. He said the observance of international day of persons with disabilities aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. The theme of this year 'Realizing the Millennium Development Goal for All: Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities and their Communities around the World is most relevant to present day challenges, he said. President Zardari said the disabled persons are special people with rights and the society should be structured in a way to meet the needs of all its citizens. Our special brothers and sisters are symbol of courage. They have taught us - who suffer from no mental or physical disability, that we will never be able to count the blessings of Allah for bestowing a life free of disability and to pursue lives of our choice, he said. President Zardari said on international day, it is incumbent upon all including government institutions, civil society, philanthropists, and international community to put in coordinated and concerted efforts to achieve the rights-based approach. He said it is necessary to remove the attitudinal, physical and social barriers to meet the Millennium Development Goals along with active participation of persons with disabilities.