Leadership & Empowerment for the Deaf (Awareness Raising among the parents of Deaf children) 12th October, 2008
Chief Guest :
Mr. Atta Hussain Sahito (Secretary of Special Education, Govt. of Sindh)
Venue :
Avari Towers, Karachi
More than 125 participants were present in the seminar including PAD’s executive committee, members, students and parents of the students. Three interpreters Ms. Fazila Shamim, Mr. Aqeel-ur-Rehman and Mr. Shahid Ali were also present in the seminar.
Program started with recitation of a surah from the Holy Quran. Mr. Ismail recited the surah.
Introduction about PAD, its activities and projects for the welfare of deaf community were highlighted by Mr. Kamran Tariq (General Secretary – PAD). Mr. Kamran Tariq requested generous people and companies to donate generator and land for PAD. He also appreciated Mr. Amin for his work for the website of PAD and said that Mr. Amin is the first deaf webmaster of any website.
Skits and dramas were also a part of the program. Performance by Mr. Furqan and his team was appreciated by everyone.
Mr. Zeshan Hamid, a guest from UK also addressed the seminar. He appreciated PAD for its hard work. He also said that PAD is the only organization in Pakistan and India, that is fully managed by Deaf people themselves. He requested the parents of deaf children to treat them equally and give them their rights especially the right of education and sign language. Mr. Zeshan appealed government officials and other respected members to donate a bigger land, hostel and generator to PAD.
Parents of the deaf children also provided us with their feedback. Mr. Anwar (father of Azeem Anwar) said that parents of deaf children should feel proud of their deaf children and send them to schools as soon as possible. He also appreciated PAD’s efforts for providing learning opportunities to the students.
Mr. Nadeem Tahir (father of Marriam Tahir) said that schools and colleges are imparting education to deaf children but it is not sufficient. After completion of their studies, deaf children do not have sufficient practical knowledge therefore; it becomes very difficult for them to get jobs.
Mr. Irfan Mumtaz (President – PAD) highlighted the condition of deaf community of Pakistan and the need of Leadership & Empowerment project for the deaf community. He said that PAD was getting request for this project from deaf community of Pakistan and especially from the deaf people of rural areas. Therefore, PAD decided to start this project and to invite deaf persons from all over Pakistan for the training. He also informed participants that this project was approved by NCHD four years back but unfortunately PAD did not get any funds regarding that project.
Secretary of Special Education, Govt. of Sindh was the Chief Guest. Honourable secretary said that it was his first time to visit in such seminar and said that he appreciate PAD for its work for the betterment of deaf community. He also added that he was very glad to hear about the start of Leadership program for the Deaf community and hope that deaf people all around Pakistan could get benefit from this program. Mr. Sahito appealed public as well as private sector to help PAD. He also assured to give land for school and ground to PAD.
In the end, Mr. Asif Amin Farooqui thanked all participants.
Program started with recitation of a surah from the Holy Quran. Mr. Ismail recited the surah.
Introduction about PAD, its activities and projects for the welfare of deaf community were highlighted by Mr. Kamran Tariq (General Secretary – PAD). Mr. Kamran Tariq requested generous people and companies to donate generator and land for PAD. He also appreciated Mr. Amin for his work for the website of PAD and said that Mr. Amin is the first deaf webmaster of any website.
Skits and dramas were also a part of the program. Performance by Mr. Furqan and his team was appreciated by everyone. 
Mr. Zeshan Hamid, a guest from UK also addressed the seminar. He appreciated PAD for its hard work. He also said that PAD is the only organization in Pakistan and India, that is fully managed by Deaf people themselves. He requested the parents of deaf children to treat them equally and give them their rights especially the right of education and sign language. Mr. Zeshan appealed government officials and other respected members to donate a bigger land, hostel and generator to PAD.
Parents of the deaf children also provided us with their feedback. Mr. Anwar (father of Azeem Anwar) said that parents of deaf children should feel proud of their deaf children and send them to schools as soon as possible. He also appreciated PAD’s efforts for providing learning opportunities to the students.
Mr. Nadeem Tahir (father of Marriam Tahir) said that schools and colleges are imparting education to deaf children but it is not sufficient. After completion of their studies, deaf children do not have sufficient practical knowledge therefore; it becomes very difficult for them to get jobs.
Mr. Irfan Mumtaz (President – PAD) highlighted the condition of deaf community of Pakistan and the need of Leadership & Empowerment project for the deaf community. He said that PAD was getting request for this project from deaf community of Pakistan and especially from the deaf people of rural areas. Therefore, PAD decided to start this project and to invite deaf persons from all over Pakistan for the training. He also informed participants that this project was approved by NCHD four years back but unfortunately PAD did not get any funds regarding that project.
Secretary of Special Education, Govt. of Sindh was the Chief Guest. Honourable secretary said that it was his first time to visit in such seminar and said that he appreciate PAD for its work for the betterment of deaf community. He also added that he was very glad to hear about the start of Leadership program for the Deaf community and hope that deaf people all around Pakistan could get benefit from this program. Mr. Sahito appealed public as well as private sector to help PAD. He also assured to give land for school and ground to PAD.
