Balochistan High Court Orders Full Implementation of Disabled Persons Act 2007, Seeks Comprehensive Report from Relevant Departments

Quetta (Daily Qudrat Quetta): The Balochistan High Court, while hearing an important constitutional petition regarding the implementation of the rights, legal concessions and welfare of persons with disabilities and the support fund established for their welfare in the province, has sought a comprehensive report from the relevant authorities. The court has directed that the “Disabled Persons Act 2007” be implemented in letter and spirit without delay.

The order was issued by a two-member bench comprising Chief Justice of Balochistan High Court Justice Muhammad Kamran Khan Mulakhail and Justice Najmuddin Mengal during the hearing of the constitutional petition concerning the rights of persons with disabilities. According to a report presented in court during the hearing, registration of approximately 34,000 disabled persons has been completed in Balochistan under the support fund. The report stated that the initial capital of the support fund is Rs 3 billion, from which an expected monthly income of Rs 27 million is generated, while under the fund, monthly financial assistance of Rs 6,000 and Rs 8,000 respectively has been fixed for disabled persons.

During the hearing, lawyers for the petitioners raised serious objections, terming the current distribution of the support fund and the amounts allocated for disabled persons as grossly insufficient. The lawyers argued that the fund amounts are extremely low, while allocating only 7 percent of the support fund for educational assistance is tantamount to injustice to disabled students.

The high court has sought a detailed report on the implementation of job quotas for disabled persons, relaxation in the prescribed age limit and provision of educational facilities. Furthermore, directions were issued to present details of implementation regarding the provision of 50 percent concession to disabled persons in private hospitals and other legal concessions.

The Balochistan High Court has given lawyers for the petitioners two weeks to review and examine in detail the report presented on the rights of persons with disabilities. The court also summoned, in person, representatives of the Private Hospitals Regulatory Authority, Education Department, Transport Department, Local Government and all other relevant departments for the next hearing, and adjourned further proceedings until November 16, 2026.