Did you notice? Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) always miss out on the good times! They have a narrow escape in fact though they never want it. Bachat Card Scheme 2008, an initiative to provide relief to the poor on five basic food commodities (including flour, ghee, cooking oil, sugar, rice and pulses) is meant for the marginalized section of the society. Besides, it is supposed to bring some discipline in purchase of some of the most used commodities. The Bachat Card project has been aimed at providing 6 million low income households who are unable to afford essential food items.

With the launch of this scheme people responded with mixed emotions. Some had this appreciation that the poor would benefit a lot from the cards. No doubt, they will. Some others had apprehensions regarding a just distribution of those cards, for that, a fool proof mechanism of distribution AND check is required.

One thing which is a lot more questionable is the absence of the poorest of the poor from the beneficiaries i.e. the PWDs. Among around 20 million disabled persons across Pakistan, 98% belong to low-income group. Mostly families unintentionally consider them to be a burden and behave accordingly. In this situation, a Bachat Card, issued in the name of PWDs, would certainly boost up his/her moral. This is only to suggest that a PWD, if not the bread-earner of the whole family is not a millstone either.

First and foremost, the authorities have to reach this conclusion that PWDs fall into the category of marginalized citizens of Pakistan. Thus we have discussions, debates, arguments, listing all the pros and cons, considering factors that hinder PWDs’ active improvement in the society. Its time that we disown all the obsolete and non Islamic attitudes. PWDs are a reality and they do have concerns of their own. If the Government is turning over her mind regarding urgent needs of low income citizens, why not consider PWDs simultaneously and sympathetically? They seldom demand a privilege solely for themselves unless it is unavoidable. But they must not be blocked out  on such occasions if they don’t raise hue and cry. The ruler of the estate is the father of all inhabitants of this land, accordingly he must treat all.

There follows the equal and just distribution of the cards, once the primary matters are resolved. It’s a huge responsibility and should be assigned to tried and true persons bearing a sense of accountability. President Pervaiz Musharraf said that the scheme would target 3.5 million householders whose audited and verified data is available with Pakistan Baitul Maal. The critics of the scheme were of the views that it was an open secret that the data of Baitul Maal etc cannot be trusted due to alleged corruption in these institutions. We, on behalf of the PWDs have another related query, “Does the Baitul Maal data include Person with Disabilities residing across Pakistan?”. If yes, there fellows yet another important questions, “HOW?” How is this all going to be implemented Look at the number of the people in queue! The government would not certainly want them to stand and wait for hours. Karachi has 1.6 crore, out of which 10 % are estimated disabled. In one large city of Pakistan, we have one Baitul Maal office. If these 16 lac disabled are supposed to look forward to providing them with the food items on subsidized rates, it will surely be a mess. If Union Councils are given this responsibility too, along with certain duties, it will turn out to be a delay in one thing or the other.

We say, “Nothing about us, without us!” Heads of Disabled Peoples Organizations (DPOs) and NGOs must be called upon for a detailed discussion as to elicit suggestions and recommendations. In my modest view, a specified system for a Bachat Card beneficiaries (Including PWDs) should be built Union Councils, scattered through out the country, Baitul Maal and the social welfare department should be tactfully linked, monitoring just and fair distribution of cards. Further they all will administer that not more than a fixed quota is given to one household. Justice is what is Allah’s foremost demand to his representative on earth. It should be highly fulfilled.