Jhang, Pakistan: January 25, 2013. (PCP) Association of Women for Awareness and Motivation (AWAM) in collaboration with Noble Concern for Human Development (NCHD) and Emaan Foundation organized a Policy Dialogue titled “Domestic Legal Framework and Universal Disability Standards” on 22 January 2013 at Jhang. This activity aimed at discussing grey areas in different policies, legislation and practices by involving key stakeholders in upholding the rights of persons with disabilities. The policy dialogue was joined by 34 persons/women with disabilities, government officials, lawyers, media personnel, representatives of organizations focusing disability issues. Speaking at the occasion, the executive secretary of the AWAM, Naseem Anthony said, “The harmony between domestic disability legal framework and universally accepted disability standards is imperative for social inclusion and mainstreaming of the people with disabilities. The government must create domestic disability legislation in harmonious with convention on the rights of the persons with disabilities, and ensure strict implementation on the existing disability legal framework.” The district officer of the social welfare Jhang, Kousar Ali Gill said that the availability of disability registration form without cost will be ensured at DHQ and social welfare office, and extra sheet containing instructions about filling up registration form will be attached along with the form. He ensured that data of people with disabilities at union council level will be gathered with the coordination of EDO health, and they will be registered at THQ hospitals along with DHQ hospital in order to minimize their burden and sufferings. He said that the awareness campaign about the disability registration process can be initiated with the coordination between the government and civil society in order to know the exact ratio of the disability. He revealed that we are not provided with funds under the Disabled Rehabilitation and Training Committee (DRTC) for last several years, therefore the remaining balance PKR 500/- only is available with us under DRTC. The coordinator of the AWAM, Shazia George said, “The coordination among concerned government departments (social welfare, labour and health department) is imperative for integrating disability registration process into one window operation, whereas uniform format for disability registration form and certificate must be issued in all districts of Pakistan, like CNIC issued by the NADRA.” The lead person of the EMAAN Foundation Shahid Paul said, “It is pity that the disability registration form is available at PKR 10/- from Ajmal Book Depot in Jhang, which is provided free of cost in other districts by the government as per law. The medical social officer (MSO) is on health leaves for several years, therefore a permanent MSO must be appointed for better guidance for people with disabilities.” The representative of NCHD Asif Munawar said, “The availability of lady doctor along with male district surgeon must be ensured to complete the initial assessment step for girls/women with disabilities, considering and respecting the cultural limitations, norms and values, because majority of the Women with Disabilities feel embarrassment and hesitation in exposing their body parts affected by disability, before the male surgeon during the initial examination by a male surgeon.” A local social worker Zarina Sheikh said, “The joint and sincere efforts of the concerned govt. departments are needed for resolving the challenges facing people with disabilities during registration process. The persons with disabilities have to go through different medical tests to prove their disabilities, which add an extra financial burden on them, therefore all types of Tests and X-rays required for registration process of persons with disabilities must be done free of cost.” The other prominent participants included; Ch. Saddique (Manager-Labour), Dr. Zafar Iqbal (AMS-DHQ Hospital), Adnan Pasha, Sheikh Iftikhar and Sajid Sial.