Lahore: The Network of Organizations Working for People with Disabilities (NOWPDP), along with its Global Brand Ambassador Hassan Shehryar Yassin, hosted an inclusive Rickshaw March 2026 at the historic Lahore Fort on Sunday. The event aimed to highlight accessible mobility and economic empowerment for persons with disabilities (PWDs).
Customized rickshaws travelled from the Picture Wall to the Royal Kitchen of the fort, turning policy dialogue into visible action. These retrofitted vehicles provide mobility while creating entrepreneurship and business opportunities for PWDs, helping them move through public spaces with confidence and independence.
A formal ceremony followed, attended by ministers, development sector representatives, corporate partners, and social advocates. Guests learned about NOWPDP’s mandate, milestones, and impact, and were moved by a national anthem performance by persons with disabilities.
Interactive zones brought the fort to life. Inclusive art, disability simulation activities like the Blind Walk, assistive technology displays, and presentations by programme beneficiaries gave attendees firsthand insight into both challenges and solutions for disability inclusion in Pakistan.
In his keynote, Dr Shakeel Bhatti, CM’s Adviser on Education, said:
“Inclusion must move beyond dialogue into policy and practice. NOWPDP demonstrates how collaboration can remove systemic barriers and expand opportunity.”
He added that real change requires public policy, employers, and education systems to work together so inclusion is embedded in institutions rather than treated as a standalone initiative.
Omair Ahmad, CEO of NOWPDP, highlighted the initiative’s long-term vision. HSY emphasized the societal shift needed:
“When persons with disabilities lead their own journeys, society moves forward with them.”
The event concluded with awards and partner acknowledgments, celebrating the cross-sector collaboration that drives NOWPDP’s work.