Karachi - Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has said that the quota for disabled persons, whom he called differently abled persons, in government jobs has been increased from two to five percent, which would be implemented in true letter and spirit.

He was talking to a delegation of Disabled Person Welfare Organisation (DPW), which called on him at the CM House here on Saturday.

Members of the delegation said that every year on December 3 they gathered outside the CM House to commemorate International Day for the Disabled, but they had seldom been invited to the CM House. "Today each one of us has brought flowers with the desire to present these to the young and dynamic chief minister, only if allowed to see him," they said, and added that after many years they had been given the opportunity to see the chief minister, although uninvited, and top of it refreshments had also been offered to them. "We owe you a word of thanks in the shape a flowers," they said, and presented him flowers.

The chief minister apologised to the special persons for not organising any programme for them, but assured, "I would be supporting you and benefitting from your abilities by inducting you in government departments as per your quota."

He issued directives to all the provincial departments to implement the quota for disabled persons while recruiting new staff.

The CM said that the PPP had passed a resolution in the Sindh Assembly in 2005, asking the Building Control Authority to provide space for construction of a ramp for wheelchairs, but it had not been implemented so far.

He directed chief secretary to ensure that in future no layout plan of any new building was approved until a separate space for a ramp was created.

Murad directed the minister for sports to organise sports events for differently abled persons. "I would support your proposed international conference for the disabled, scheduled to be held on in Karachi December 10," he said.

The chief minister on the occasion also ordered an inquiry into the suspension of a disabled employee of Karachi Water Board. "I would provide you more employment opportunities and would also introduce sports facilities for you," he assured.

The differently abled persons shouted slogans of 'Murad Ali Shah', who mixed up with them and took selfies with them.

He went from wheelchair to wheelchair to greet each one of them, and they presented him flowers as token of their respect and appreciation for honouring them in the CM House.

CM presses US consul general for cadet college

student visa

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has urged American Consul General in Karachi Grace Shelton to issue visa to the ailing student of Cadet College Larkana in shortest possible time so that he could be sent to the USA for medical treatment.

Talking to the US consul general at the CM House on Saturday, the CM handed him over a recommendation letter and other relevant documents, and personally requested her to issue visa to the ailing student. “I have made commitment with the parents of ailing student Ahmed Mashoori that he would be sent to America for medical treatment as per medical board’s recommendation,” he said.

The consul general assured the chief minister that she would issue the visa as early as possible.

Criminals would

not be spared

 Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, while commenting on the arrest of Abdur Rahman alias Bhola, nominated in Baldia factory fire case, in Bangkok, has said that those who are involved in crimes against innocent people would not be spared at all.

He said that he had the information that Bhola had been arrested, but details were still awaited. “Baldia factory fire was one of the worst incidents ever taken place in the city in which innocent labourers, male and female, were burnt alive,” he said, and added that the criminals involved in the incident would be traced out wherever they were hiding.

Talking about the transfer of Sindh Police IG AD Khawaja, the chief minister said that he had heard the news on media. “Media should avoid spreading such speculative news items,” he urged.