A staggering 27 million people with disabilities in Pakistan are largely excluded from higher education and formal employment because of inaccessible environments.
This was highlighted in a focused multi-stakeholder dialogue in Karachi on Wednesday. To address the issue, Unilever Pakistan, in collaboration with the Network of Organizations Working for People with Disabilities, Pakistan (NOWPDP) and the Pakistan Business Council (PBC), convened the “UpliftingU” roundtable to accelerate inclusive education, skills development, and employment pathways for the disabled community.
The session, held at Unilever”s Head Office, brought together representatives from industry, academia, and the development sector to explore solutions for integrating individuals with disabilities into the country”s future workforce.
Participants in the open discussion identified significant structural barriers, gaps in inclusive educational infrastructure, and the urgent need for stronger collaboration between key sectors to dismantle the obstacles faced by persons with disabilities.
As a direct outcome of the dialogue, NOWPDP announced a new capability-building program in partnership with Unilever Pakistan. The initiative is designed to widen skills development opportunities and improve employability for individuals with disabilities, marking a key step in strengthening the national disability inclusion ecosystem.
Sanam Sheikh, HR Head for Unilever Pakistan, articulated the persistent inequality, stating, ‘Access and opportunity come easily to many, but that is not the reality for everyone. Pakistan has 27 million persons with disabilities, yet very few reach higher education or the workplace because our environments are still not accessible.’
Representing the PBC’s research platform, CERB, Nazish Shekha emphasized the need for institutional preparedness. ‘We are working with companies to identify gaps and chart a clear path forward that upholds dignity and equal opportunity. True diversity cannot be achieved without addressing the fundamental issues of accessibility and infrastructure,’ she remarked.
Omair Ahmad, CEO at NOWPDP, stressed the importance of early intervention and institutional accountability. ‘Inclusion must begin from schools and from a broader culture of acceptance… Institutions must identify limitations clearly and develop solutions through proper policy making. Every organization needs its own dedicated policies because that is the foundation of real and systematic change.’
The roundtable reinforced the consensus that mainstreaming the education and capabilities of people with disabilities is a national priority essential for strengthening Pakistan’s talent landscape and bolstering economic resilience.