Islamabad’s Capital Development Authority (CDA) has issued notices to around 400 commercial buildings in the city to make them special people-friendly zones.
The building control wing of CDA recently collected the data of over 400 commercial buildings in the capital and found out that only a few of them were accessible to people with disabilities (PWDs).
According to the assessment, the buildings that were built in the early years of Islamabad were not forced to facilitate PWDs, however, it is now conditional for all the modern buildings.
Raheel Junejo, an official of the building control wing revealed that the authorities of the buildings have been asked to make PWD-friendly changes to their building or face the consequences. He said the CDA will seal the buildings in case of non-compliance.
“Unfortunately only a few buildings have a mechanism for PWDs but they are still risky. Their ramps are not friendly as well as their lifts are not working or lack a fitness certificate” Junejo said.
He added that only the buildings constructed as late as three years ago had the mechanism to assist differently abled people.
According to the World Disability report, 10 to 12 percent of the total population of Pakistan is living with various forms of disabilities. The report also mentions that the majority of PWDs are deprived of their basic rights to education, health, and employment.
Via: Pakistan Today
