PESHAWAR, PAKISTAN: Out of the total 269 polling stations set up for the NA-4 by-polls, 95 per cent lack essential accessibility criteria for persons with disabilities, elders and sick people, an audit report revealed.

The survey, conducted by sister foundation of Centre for Peace and Development Initiatives, the Pakistan Alliance for Inclusive Elections [PAIE], through October 16 to October 22, found that only five per cent of the total polling stations were accessible while 42 per cent did not have obstacle free passage leading to the centre.

Lahore: Visually-impaired protesters from different parts of the province once again took to the streets on Monday to demand regular jobs and payment of salaries.

A large number gathered in front of the Lahore Press Club (LPC) and shouted slogans against the government. They blocked the main road in front of the LPC and this caused a traffic situation on Davis Road, Durand Road, Empress Road, Egerton Road and adjoining areas.

OVER 500 people experienced life without vision for an hour at the Blind Walk, which was held to raise awareness about problems faced by the visually impaired on World Sight Day at Sector 17 Plaza in Chandiagrh on Thursday. The walk was organised by the Dialogue Highway Trust in collaboration with Project Vision, a Bangalore-based foundation. Navjot Singh Sidhu, Punjab Minister of Local Government, Tourism, Cultural Affairs, flagged off the walk and also walked with the aspirants.

Tribune News Service

Shimla, September 23

Muskan Thakur, a Blind girl and a budding singing talent, will be the youth icon face of the Election Commission of India for the upcoming Assembly elections in Himachal.

Muskan, a first semester student of MA (music) in Himachal Pradesh University, hailing from remote Chirgaon area in Rohru subdivision of Shimla district, has been a meritorious student throughout. She was given laptop by the government for figuring in merit in class XII examinations.

Three years ago, from ramparts of the Red Fort Prime Minister Modi had spoken about financial inclusion which has since then successfully made a paradigm shift in banking penetration. Now, after opening new banking accounts for most households, we must move to the next stage where benefits should reach the silent majority of those individuals with disability.