Content: Summary Report: ………………………………1
Program Rundown: ……………………………3
Press Coverage: ……………………………….4
Picture Story: …………………………………..8
Summary Report:
The Culture Fashion show, titled “Welcoming 2012: Culture Fashion Show of Persons
with Disabilities”, was jointly organized by Special Talent Exchange Program (STEP),
Monthly Pakistan Special, Embers and Shahzads Designs on December 29, 2011 in
National Library Islamabad.
Under this slogan, people with disabilities showcased their talent alongside
contemporary models in a unique cultural fashion show at the National Library on
Thursday.
A cheerful young girl on a wheelchair, dressed in a brinjal-coloured hand-stitched
dress, inaugurated the show. She was later joined by a male model who walked the
ramp alongside his co-host.
The models appeared on stage in twos, with one of each being physically disabled, and
won great applause from the audience as they walked down the ramp confidently.
“It was my first experience and given my disability I was nervous to face such a large
crowd. But the encouragement I got from them put me at ease,” said Naseema, looking
fabulous in a red and white dress. She suffered from polio when she was one and a half
years old; she presently works as a receptionist at the Family Health Hospital.
Shabab, 21, a student of B.Com said he loves to dress up but is often criticised by
people for wearing western clothes. He said that due to his large sized foot, he can only
wear tailor-made trousers. “But today I wore western clothes and the appreciation from
the audience really built my confidence,” he said. Shabab too became a victim of polio
when he was just one.
Asfandyar, a physically challenged student of ACCA, said the cultural fashion show
conveyed a message to the society that though we have a different way of moving
about, we are not different from other normal human beings. “We have the sense of
dressing and looking good and have an ability to showcase it on stage.”
Talking to , STEP President Atif Sheikh said such a cultural fashion show a first for
Pakistan. The purpose behind the show was to give the concept that a person sitting on
wheelchair or having a white can on his hand has an equal right to look beautiful. He
said special persons are rendering services in different fields and they want an
inclusive society in which they can enjoy an independent life.
The US ambassador’s wife, Dr Marilyn Wyatt, said the participants impressed her with
their confidence and performance. She said she has personal interest in disability
rights, being the mother, sister, and sister-in-law of persons with disabilities.
“Today they have proved that they are powerful, unique, inspiring, beautiful, handsome
and most of all confident,” she said.
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She added that such people are unique, powerful and impressive and expressed hope
that the recently ratified United Nations Convention on Rights of Persons with
Disabilities (UNCRPD) will open new doors for them.
Special Education Director General Mustafain Qazmi said that under UNCRPD, his
department is focusing on reforming current laws and regulations so that they are more
inclusive of persons with disabilities. He said in the war against terrorism, a large
number of people were left disabled. He said the government is working on their
welfare but they need collaboration of all the stakeholders, including the civil society,
philanthropists, private sector, non-government organizations and UN agencies.
He said that in last Special Olympics held in Athens, Pakistanis won 57 medals. “They
have always proved themselves to be capable and have proved their mettle in every
field.”
Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) presented a colorful fashion show 'Missing Models of
Pakistan' for the first time in the history of the country.
Attired in beautiful traditional costumes, 40 models of Persons With Disabilities
performed beautifully on the small ram decorated with white and red flowers.
Wife of US ambassador to Pakistan, Dr Marilyn Wyatt was chief guest at the show,
jointly organized by Special Talent Exchange Program, Monthly Pakistan Special,
International Labor Organization, and Directorate General of Special Education,
Shahzads and Embers Designs.
Speaking on the occasion Dr Wyatt said the participants impressed her with their
confidence and performance. She said that she has great affection with such people as
she is a mother, sister and sister of law of persons with disabilities.
She added that they are unique, powerful and impressive and the recently ratified
United Nations Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) would open
doors for the special persons in Pakistan.
Chairperson Special Talent Exchange Program, Atif Sheikh, said the reason of
conducting fashion show for persons with disabilities was to give the concept that a
person sitting on wheel chair or having a white can on his hand has also equal right to
look beautiful.
He said special persons are rendering services in different fields and they want to
create an inclusive society in which PWDs can enjoy independent life.
Director General Special Education, Mustafain Qazmi speaking on the occasion said the
Directorate is now focusing on reviewing currents laws and regulations for persons
with disabilities according to UNCRPD. (APP)
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Program Rundown:
Venue: National Library Islamabad
Detail Time
Arrival of Guests 02:30 pm
Opening Speech 03:00 pm
Fashion Show 03:05 pm ~ 04:20 pm
Speech of the Chief Guest 04:20 pm
Vote of thanks 04:30 pm
Group Photo with Models 04:35 pm
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Press Coverage:
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The Daily Time
Link: http://www.thenews.com.pk/NewsDetail.aspx?ID=29594&title=PWD-stages-fashion-show-for-
handicapped-
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Video Release on Dunya News TV.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCA1rJpJ688
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Picture Story:
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