Manan Mandokhail
Quetta: In a landmark decision under the leadership of Chief Minister Balochistan Mir Sarfraz Bugti, a meeting was held to discuss the implementation of free travel for people with disabilities in green buses. The meeting, chaired by Provincial Secretary of Transport Balochistan, Hayat Kakar, was attended by key figures, including Social Welfare Director Jalal Khan Murri, Green Bus Operations Manager Owais Anwar, Quetta Online Volunteer Organization representative Zia ur Rehman, Riaz Ahmed Baloch, and Jahangir Tareen.
The meeting concluded that individuals with a NADRA-issued special persons card registered with the Social Welfare Department will be entitled to free travel on the Green Bus service. This initiative aligns with the Social Welfare Act of 2017, which also ensures that people with disabilities will receive a 50% discount on all local transport services.
The provincial government is fully committed to improving the quality of life for people with disabilities, ensuring they enjoy equal opportunities within the community. To ensure the effective execution of this program, the meeting emphasized that both the Secretary of PTA and the Secretary of RTA Quetta must oversee the implementation of these decisions.
Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti’s vision includes providing special persons with dignified access to public transportation, ensuring they are not marginalized. Additionally, transporters have been directed to show utmost respect towards special people, with a firm stance against any social abuse or discrimination.
This initiative marks a significant step towards inclusivity, with the Balochistan government taking proactive measures to provide relief and support to special people, emphasizing their important role in society.
